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“Are you asking for a list, Scurry girl?”

“God,no,” she held up a hand to fend him off. “Please forget I asked.”

“You sure? I could introduce—”

“I’ll make you a deal,” she interrupted, stepping closer. “I’ll hear your list if you hear mine.”

Patrick’s smirk vanished. Something vicious lashed his insides. He thought of faceless men he’d never met and heard a trigger pull. To stop from giving himself away, he pressed his lips together.

And she glowed, victorious.

Goddamn.He could stand to lose more fights, if this was the reward.

“Come on,” he said. “There’s somewhere I want to take you.”

It was a good excuse to take her hand, and wind it into the crook of his elbow. She didn’t question him as he led her out into the square, through the arch and along the canals, crossing the industrial district and then out, out, out into the hills.

He thought her color was returning. She walked on the tips of her toes, turned her face up to the sun. She panted and complained as they climbed a hill full of chestnut trees, but her grin never quite disappeared.

When at last they reached the top, Patrick extended his arms and said, “Welcome to the Colson brothers’ stronghold.”

That stronghold now only comprised five sandbags, waterlogged pickets, and a couple of upturned crates. Most of the timber had rotted now, or lay broken.

But Nina brightened all the same. “Quite the fort.”

“It’s seen a few battles,” Patrick said. “Duncan McCallum tried to bust in with a broom once.”

“And did he manage it?”

“Course not,” Patrick said. “Donny has dangerous aim. Threw a volley of chestnuts at him.”

She chuckled, then smiled at the view and breathed in deeply.

Patrick followed her gaze to Kenton Hill below them. Eventually, he said, “Does it remind you of home?”

She responded, “Not even a little.”

“Never been to Scurry,” he said conversationally. Then saw the way her shoulders tensed.

“May it stay that way.”

And he wanted desperately to know what it meant—if it was as bad as he guessed, or worse.

Instead, he said, “I’ll walk you back. You can take the day to rest.”

“What willyoudo?” she asked, not moving an inch. “What do you do with your days if you’re not digging?”

Nothing good.“Today, I’ll visit a friend,” he said. “One I’ve been meanin’ to speak with.”

She narrowed her eyes. “Afriend.”

“Yes. A friend.”

“I wasn’t aware you had any.”

“You know,” he said as he took her hand, “you make a lot of assumptions.” They began downhill, and when she didn’t pull her hand away, his chest loosened. He wondered how scandalized she’d be if he kissed her again.

“Can I meet this friend?” she asked. “If only for proof of existence.”