Page 99 of The Firebrand
“Don’t be crazy.”
“So, you’re not screwing him?”
“What if I were? That’s none of your business.” Braelyn gasped when a sharp pain stabbed her.
Rein bolted from the chair. “Are you all right?”
“I’m fine. Look, buddy, you aren’t getting off that easily. You dumped me. Remember?”
“I didn’t dump you. You went home.”
“Is that how you want to play it? You couldn’t push me out the door fast enough. If you must know, he kissed me.”
“Kissed you?”
Now his fangs jutted out of his mouth, long knives. The bones in his face sharpened, his gaze fixed on her neck as if he were about to tap a keg of beer.
“That’s as far as it went.”
“How far did you plan to take it? Into the bedroom? The shower? You like showers.” Rein settled into the chair, emotionless.
“That was a low blow.”
“Don’t use another male to make me jealous, Brae. It won’t end well.”
“If you must know, I pushed him away.”
“Why?” The corded muscles in Rein’s neck loosened.
“Because, you arrogant asshole, I only want your kisses. Crazy. Huh?”
The lines around Rein’s eyes crinkled. “I am an arrogant asshole.”
Braelyn teared up when Rein’s lips curl into a satisfied grin.
“Don’t let my shit go to your head. You’re probably just a passing fancy.” He smirked.
“Ruin the moment, jerk.” She bit back a twitching pain. “Anyway, the agent is irrelevant. Somebody’s fist flew past me, knocking Nico out. When the guy came for me, I fought.” She paused a sec. “That’s all I remember, other than bouncing around the hallway while he used me for a punching bag. When I woke up, I saw you.”
“Describe the attacker.”
“Can’t. It happened so fast. First, Nico was talking. Next, he was on the floor. The guy wore a dark hoodie, gangster-style, pulled down far, hiding his face.” Braelyn tried to shift her hips to a more comfortable position, but that was a no-go. “Wait. His eyes were like live coals staring out from the shadows, fire red with touches of silver. I think. Nothing’s clear.”
“We’ll find him. For now, we’re getting out of here. Once you’re at my place, Alarik can heal your wounds.”
“What if I don’t want to go to Scath with you?”
Rein’s brows furrowed. “You want to.”
Braelyn pursed her lips. “Rein’s way or no way?”
“Exactly.”
“Hold it. I refuse to wear your sister’s hand-me-downs or the stuff Sabine bought. I want my clothes.”
“Why?”
“I looked like a streetwalker. If you’re nice to me, you might persuade me to dress up on special occasions. For every day, though, I want pants, tops, shoes, and unmentionables from my apartment.”
