Page 92 of Harmless
“I can make that call.” Torr started getting out of bed.
“No, I can do it. I should talk to my mom anyway.”
“Fine, but you stay resting, creep.” He picked up the jeans he’d discarded on the floor. “I’m getting us breakfast.”
“You go with him.” I kissed Santos’ neck. “Check on everyone for me.”
He grinned and kissed my cheek before sliding out. “You just want the bed to yourself.”
“Obviously. Now that I have you two, starfishing will be a rare luxury.”
My fighter chuckled as he too picked up his pants from the floor and began sliding them on.
“Oh hey, Santos?” I said after a moment of thinking.
“Yes, paloma?” He leaned over the bed, reaching for another kiss, which I gave him.
“If you see Devin, tell him I want to talk to him.”
31
DEVIN
My chest felt weird as I rapped my knuckles on Rori’s door, then stood back and waited. What was this sensation, all tight like my rib cage was constricted while also feeling light and fluttery at the same time?
Could this be…nervousness?
“Come in,” she called from the other side.
I let myself in to find Rori dressed, thankfully, although it was less than her usual getup of dark jeans and black leather jacket. She had on a tank top and shorts and was doing pistol squats next to the bed, her bandaged leg extended in front of her as she raised and lowered herself with the other leg.
“You wanted to see me?” I cleared my throat, unsure why my voice was more hoarse than normal.
“Yeah.” She pressed up to full height, then sat on the foot of the bed, looking over at me with a sheepish smile. “I’ve been told to rest, but I’m just going stir crazy in here.”
“Have you tried a disguise to escape unnoticed?” I asked. “Maybe growing a beard and putting on a trench coat?”
She laughed and rubbed at the nonexistent facial hair on her cheek. “Working on it. Come in. Shut the door.”
A prickle rose along the back of my neck as I did what she asked. It wasn’t alarm or even discomfort alerting my senses. This just…felt all wrong, being in a closed bedroom with my friend’s girl. Who he shared with another guy, but that was neither here nor there. They had their triad thing going on, and I was not part of it. Nor did I have any desire to be part of it.
Still, I tamped down the urge to escape the room and stood with my back against the door.
Rori remained sitting on the foot of the bed, looking thoughtful for a while before she spoke.
“I know you and I haven’t exactly been friendly since we met. That being said, I just want to say thank you for what you did out there.”
Outwardly, I gave a sharp nod. Inside, I was too confused to know what to feel. Brushing it off was always a safe bet, right? “Santos had his hands full, and he would’ve killed me for leaving you to bleed out in the dirt.”
Yep, blame my buddy who was in love with her. It was always the most convenient excuse.
A smile pulled slowly at her lips as if she knew it was exactly that, an excuse. “Well, look at you being so considerate of others.”
I ducked my chin to hide my laugh, but it was too late. Aw, fuck, I was in trouble if she could see right through me.
“Really, though. You acted quickly and most likely saved my life, so I’m grateful. This would have gone all cockeyed without you, Devin.”
Damn it, now the discomfort was setting in. Her praise made my body and brain send off all kinds of opposing signals. She was being genuine, I knew that at the surface. But every other time I’d been in this position, alone with a woman complimenting my achievements, it had been a manipulation tactic. A means of softening me up before using me.
