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The shower warms up quickly and I motion for him to head in. His arm is still bleeding but at least it looks like it’s clotted enough to slow a bit. “Keep your arm out of the water until the end.”
He nods, takes off his clothes with no worry or regard for my leering eyes, and steps beneath the steaming water. I try to keep my attention on anything except his body, so I focus on the blood on my hands.
It looks so much like the night I tried to die. Red. Every shade of red. Bright at first and then thick crimson and rose, dulling to maroon.
I walk over to the sinks and rinse off my hands three times for good measure, keeping my mind on anything but that night. My heart hammers in my chest, making me focus more on my breathing.
The shower turns off and Liam sits down on a bench next to the pile of clean clothes I brought with us. I grab a towel from the rack and hand it to him, keeping my eyes elevated and away from him.
“I knew you were a prude.”
My cheeks flare. “Liam, can we not right now?”
He chuckles and wraps the towel around his waist. Once he’s covered, I dry his wound and dab ointment on it. He probably doesn’t need stitches, but still, it’s deep. I gently place gauze over the ointment and then wrap his arm.
“There.” I tuck the end so it doesn’t lift and sit back on my haunches before looking at him.
Liam’s eyes are dark, sunken, and dreadful. He doesn’t even have his usual ire. His hair is wet since he didn’t bother drying it.
I grab another towel and drop it on his head.
“I’ll be in the room. Please don’t do anything else tonight, I’m tired and don’t particularly feel like having to do this again.” I wait for a minute and when he doesn’t respond I leave.
I feel like I work here.
The hall is dark and silent, and the reprieve of our room is welcoming. I feel as though I could sleep for days. Liam’s muddy shoes will have to wait until tomorrow morning.
I strip out of my clothes and pull on a baggy shirt, then fall into my bed.
The door opens a few minutes later.
Liam’s steps stop at my bedside and I hesitate before opening my eyes. He looks down at me, hair dry and a distinctive flicker of anger in his eyes.
Theaudacity.
“You’re welcome,” I grumble and roll in my bed, pulling the covers over my head and wishing he’d just let me be.
The bed sinks and my heart jumps in my chest as his weight pushes down on me. He pulls the covers back until he can see my eyes.
“Why did you do it?” he asks, not unkindly, but his voice is low and empty of warmth.
“Because you were hurt and I—”
“Not that,” he snipes. “Who… Who hurt you so bad that you wanted to die?” His eyes hold firm on mine. He’s leaning over me and has me pinned. I don’t think he intends on letting me sleep without an answer.
“Well, it wasn’t just one person.”
He looks at me expectantly.
“Why do you want to know? I thought I repulsed you.” I try to wriggle from the blanket but he tightens his hold.
“You do.” I fight the pain the insult threads through my chest. “But it only makes you all the more a wonder. So again, who could possibly plant such dark, sinister seeds into a heart like yours?” His eyes soften.
Was that supposed to be a compliment?
My chest feels heavy and it’s hard to breathe. A dizzy spell falls over me and Liam takes notice, quirking a brow.
“I need my medication,” I rasp. How could I forget to take it? Day one and it’s a complete shit show.
