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“Maybe?” Definitely, but playing innocent seemed like the smarter way to go.

“I will get help.”

“No. The men can’t help. He’s not in the country.”

She muttered a few old curses. “You can’t have a witch control you like this. He is making you weak, draining you. That’s what they do. They use and corrupt. He made you kiss him, yes? This can be fixed though.”

He didn’t want it fixed. He wanted Kass. He wanted to feel desire radiating through the bond. Hell, he’d take pain and fear, anything to know that Kass was alive. “How?”

“We can bind the witch so he can’t hurt you.”

She picked up her phone off the coffee table and returned to the kitchen to check on dinner and call the men. They wouldn’t be able to help, but he was glad Kass was far away and out of their reach. He checked the bond again; it wasn’t any smaller. Maybe it had started this thin, like a strand of hair. He reached out for his phone and nearly fell off the sofa.

What happened?Are you hurt or dying?

He emailedand hoped he’d Kass would reply straight away. Or at least before the men turned up. When he couldn’t hold the phone any longer he dropped it onto his chest and closed his eyes. Gran’s voice lulling him to sleep.

She returned and brushed the hair off his face. “I won’t let the witch hurt you. You will be fine.”

For a moment Bailey believed she cared about him, not just how useful he could be. Behind her concern was fear, as though everything she’d run from had found her again.

“It was an accident.” He tried to reassure her. That was the truth, but he couldn’t bring himself to regret it.

“You should’ve told me straight away. Witches can’t be trusted. I can’t lose you too.”

Bailey closed his eyes. It was too late for that. He wanted to tell her that Kass had done nothing to hurt him. Something bad had happened to Kass. But there was no point, and he didn’t want to expose what they had. It was his, theirs, something only they could share.

She squeezed his hand. “Why were you kissing a man?”

Bailey forced himself to look at her. Her voice was soft, but her eyes were cold. He couldn’t tell her the truth.

“Do you always kiss men when you take their wallets? Is that why you steal only from men?”

Her grip tightened, crushing his fingers. “Do you like it?”

He swallowed. “What does it matter? Is it not enough that I steal for you? Can I not keep something for myself?”

She released him and turned away, but not before he saw the disgust in her eyes. If he’d been able to stand, he’d have walked out. As it was, he lay there staring up at the ceiling, drifting between asleep and awake. A vibration in the bond, and tendril of heat woke him. He held his breath, hoping he hadn’t imagined it. Then his phone buzzed, and he checked it, hoping it was mail. It was.

Had a situation.Can’t say much, but I’ll have a scar to show you later. I knew you were with me. Thank you. I hope I didn’t take too much.

Bailey smiledand closed his eyes. Then replied.

So you aren’t dying?I was a bit freaked.

Not dying.I didn’t mean to be dramatic.

Bailey bit his lip,knowing he needed to share what was going on. Then decided that he’d better come out with it so Kass could be prepared for the worst.

My family realizedI was dating you and pitched a fit. They want to break us up. My uncles can be very persuasive. When you come home, we really need to talk.

When I getout of here, I’ll call. Give me your number.

Bailey sent Kass his number.This stuff should be dealt with in person, or at least over the phone.

Thanks: ) xx

Footstepsout the front made him look up. He logged out of his email, then out of his phone. He never used his fingerprint in case it was used to access his phone without his permission. He copped more than the occasional cuff on the ear for that. Gran had even told him outright it was rude to keep secrets.