Page 58 of Bite Marks & Broken Hearts

The static hum of the line stretched between us.

“That’s concerning, Black. This will only anger the Vale clan further, a second death to their number by your hand.”

“I’m aware.” I gritted my teeth.

“And the fact she was stalking you…”

“I know.” My jaw clenched. “She appeared from nowhere. Could have been following us for who knows how long. And if she was watching—”

“Others might be too.” White finished my thought. “How’s the boy holding up?”

The boy.

“Flynn is…” I stared at the cinnamon bun, remembering how he’d helped clean that yacht after, his hands steady despite everything. “He’s stronger than you might think. Handled it better than most would.”

“You sound impressed.”

“He’s resilient.” The words came out soft as silk. “After everything—the cambion assaulting him, being marked, Eliza’s attack, learningabout our world—he’s still standing. Still trying tohelp, however he can.”

“Interesting.” White’s tone shifted, almost amused. “You usually describe things with rather more… clinical detachment.”

My fingers stilled on the desk. “It’s my job to keep him alive.”

“Did I suggest otherwise?”

There was an awkward pause.

The cinnamon bun caught my eye again.

Flynn had volunteered to accompany Rory to Fat Cat’s thirty minutes ago, taking the long route through the tunnel for their coffee run. It was immensely difficult for me to allow it—to allow him out of my sight, my protection.

As if summoned by my anxiety, my phone vibrated, and a photo of Flynn filled the screen.

I’d asked him to message me when they arrived, not take a picture of him stuffing an entire croissant into his mouth, but I’d happily take it.

Flynn

Rory says I shouldn’t waste perfectly good pastries on silly photos but he’s just jealous of my model potential LOL

Then, a second later:

(laugh out loud, not lots of love) xxx

I stared at the messages, hypnotised by the Xs. Before I could reply, another message came.

just in case you thought I meant lots of love LOL

btw the xxx was a typo, soz, I’m not flirting!!!

I felt my forehead tug into the frown that surfaced anytime my teammates tormented me with their silly acronyms.

Thank you for clarifying, Flynn.

I hit send before I could add any Xs.

“Black? Are you still there?”

“Yes. I’ll have more information by our next call. I just wanted to keep you in the loop, should this develop into anything further.”

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