Page 6 of Hexed
“I’m trying to be a decent person,” I snap.
Aria huffs and mumbles, “Little late for that.”
I blink at her.
Well, now she’s just pissing me off.
Licking my lips, I stare at her for one more second before moving so I’m right next to the injured stranger.
Aria’s footsteps crunch on the wet, muddy pebbles until she’s behind me. “Jesus, he looks half-dead. Just leave him for the fish to find or whatever. Let’sgo.”
She’s right, I know she’s right, but still…
Dropping to my knees, I touch his neck and check for a pulse. It’s there, but it’s faint. Blood seeps onto the wet ground beneath him, pouring from a wound on his side.
He’s definitely hurt. Pretty badly, from the looks of it. Stab wound? Gunshot? It’s too difficult to tell in the dark.
The man groans again, his head shaking back and forth in a lazy motion, but his eyes stay closed.
My stomach jumps into my throat because Ireallyshouldn’t be here.
“Venesa, this isn’t funny,” Aria snarls, keeping her voice low. “Daddy will kill you if you get involved with this.”
I cut her a glare before focusing back on the injured stranger. What does she know about what her father will or won’t be mad about?
Although, in this scenario, she’s not wrong.
Aria stomps her foot. “I’m leaving.”
“Goodlord,either shut the hell up or actually do what you keep threatening,” I bark at her.
I take my black sweater off and jostle the man onto his side so I can slip it underneath him. I try to tie it around him to stem the bleeding, but he’slargeand slippery from the blood and grime, so it doesn’t work. Blowing out a haggard breath, I settle for balling up the fabric and pressing it against him instead, applying as much pressure as I can.
If we were back home, I’d have some yarrow I could mix with water to spread on the wound like a paste, but of course, the urge to be a good person only happens when I have absolutelynothingon my side to help.
His eyes flutter, and it sends panic whirling through me like a tornado.
Aria’s right; Uncle T will murder me if this guy is, in fact, part of the New York mob and I get involved without specific orders from him.
But for some reason, I can’t just leave this stranger either.
“Listen,” I say to Aria. “Stay here with him, okay?”
“Fuck. That.” She crosses her arms, shaking her head.
Sighing, I run a hand through my hair. Aria’s always been the most difficult person to walk the earth, but she’s also shallow as hell and loves the limelight, so convincing her to do something is all about the angle.
I stare at her for a second, sinking my teeth into my lower lip while I work out what that angle is. “Everyone would probably laud you as a hero.”
Her eyes flare, her fingers tapping against her inner elbow.
“Think about it. You know better than anyone how to spin a story in your favor, and I know you’re desperate for some media attention like you used to get back home.” I gesture down at the man. “So take the opportunity.Give it a spin.”
She glances at him again before looking at me, indecision warring in her wide-eyed blue gaze.
“Look.” I reach into the right side of my bra and pull out a small vial I keep for emergencies.
Her face contorts. “What isthat?”
