Page 11

ELEVEN

ROSALIE

C oncern gripped my features as I entered the visitation room and didn’t spot my mom anywhere. Alex was seated at a table all alone with a bag and two drinks positioned in front of him. His face lit up when he met my gaze. Hesitantly, I moved toward him and dropped down into the seat adjacent to him.

“Where’s Mom?” I asked, glancing around the room like she’d pop up somewhere. The last time I saw her, she promised to bring me more clothes this week. Maybe that’s why she wasn’t in here yet. She could be dropping them off now.

Alex shifted uncomfortably, reaching into the brown paper bag instead of answering. He pulled out a burger, placing it in front of me, followed by a box of fries. I stared at the food with uncertainty. It wasn’t that I wasn’t hungry, it just felt like an I’m sorry gift. Fear spiraled through me as I clung onto that thought. Was he breaking up with me? Was that why he came alone? My head whirled with all the different possibilities. Next came the drink. I couldn’t tell what it was since the cup was white with the diner’s logo printed on it.

“Alex,” I started skeptically. “Where is my mom?”

He released a sigh, pulling out his own food before leaning back in his seat and met my gaze. “She’s not doing so good, Rosie. Daisy’s funeral was yesterday.” He grimaced before continuing. “So was Gentry’s.”

My heart plummeted into my stomach, heat spreading through my veins. I knew there would be a funeral. It just hurt that I wasn’t able to go. To hear all the beautiful things said about my little sister. Suddenly, food was the last thing I wanted.

“Oh,” I said quietly.

He reached across the table, grabbing my hand and squeezing. “I know it’s hard. It’s not your fault, baby. Things just got out of hand that night. I’m on your side completely.” I bit my lower lip, guilt consuming me. Alex was too good for me. He was kind, caring, supportive, and understanding for the most part. I had no business letting Archer touch me in any capacity, or even liking it for that matter.

Tears burned my eyes, and I blinked them away. I’ve done nothing but cry since I got here. It wouldn’t bring her back. Nothing was going to bring her back. She was dead. I’d never see her again. My breath hitched as that thought settled in. Realistically, I’d always know that. It just felt even more real now and it hurt.

“Thank you,” I whispered. “For being here.”

His eyes softened and he ran his thumb along the back of my hand in a comforting gesture. “Absolutely. I love you, Rosalie. This doesn’t change anything for me.” Lifting my hand to his lips, he brushed them across my fingers. The action had nothing sparking inside of me and it made me hate myself even more.

Someone dropped down into the seat next to me, making me gasp out in alarm. I withdrew my hand and snapped my gaze over to the intruder.

Archer.

“What the hell are you doing?’ I demanded, narrowing my eyes at him. “Shouldn’t you be sitting with your family?”

Alex glanced between us in confusion, making my heart rate increase. Surely, he didn’t think there was something going on between the two of us. I wouldn’t do that to him.

“They’re over there if you want to say hi.” He smirked, motioning to a couple who were seated near the back at the table closest to Seven and his family.

“I’ll pass,” I bit out dryly.

His smirk widened into a grin. He knew exactly what he was doing. Reaching across the table, he stole Alex’s fries and plopped one into his mouth.

“Archer,” I snapped.

He hummed in approval. “I love it when you say my name. Soon, you’ll be fucking screaming it.”

My jaw dropped, embarrassment and heat mixing together inside of me. “Archer,” I growled, trying to tell him to cut it out, but he intervened again before I could finish my sentence.

“You’re making me hard, my little salvation. I suggest you stop before I bend you over this table and fuck you right in front of your little boyfriend.” His gaze slid to Alex. “You wouldn’t mind, right?” He snorted in amusement, more to himself than anything before he continued. “What am I saying?” he asked rhetorically. “Of course you wouldn’t?—”

“Stop,” I snapped, refusing to let him finish that sentence. If he told Alex that I told him I was a virgin, it would look horrible. How the hell could I explain that away? “You need to leave. Right now.”

Archer’s expression hardened, his eyes seeming to grow darker as he peered into my own. My heart raced wildly, fear coiling through me. He reached out, latching his fingers around my neck in a firm grip, causing my heart to beat even more furiously than it had been.

“Let her go,” Alex demanded, his face flushed from all the crude things Archer had just threatened to do to me. He started looking around frantically, probably in search of a security guard, but for some reason…there were none anymore.

Someone else flanked my left side and I glanced in that direction. Seven grinned maniacally, clearly getting a kick out of whatever this was. “Funny how a little bit of money can have even the government turn their backs for a little while,” he said casually, confirming that he was the reason there were no guards present.

“Rosalie,” Alex began with a shake to his voice. “What is this? Who are these people?”

Archer’s hand tightened around my throat, warning me against saying the wrong thing. A few people from other tables started glancing in our direction, whispering amongst each other, but no one made any move to help.

Suddenly, I was back on that floor with Seven hovering over me, warning me to stay away from Archer. Now, here he was, threatening my relationship. Tears blurred my vision, and I opened my mouth to speak, but nothing came out. He pulled me closer, our faces inches apart as he took his other hand and rested it on my bare thigh. Electricity shot through my veins, making me clench my legs together, my breathing coming out uneven.

“You’re scaring her,” Alex snapped.

“Am I scaring you, Rosalie?” Archer questioned with a hint of amusement, his fingers inching up higher.

“There are people everywhere. You’re insane.” I breathed.

Another hand landed on the opposite leg and my eyes moved to Seven, who kept his gaze trained on my boyfriend across the table. His touch made something stir deep within my stomach, too and I clenched my eyes shut, trying to block out the way their hands felt against my skin.

Alex.

My boyfriend, who I loved, has always been there for me. The one who still came to visit me even after all of the horrible things I’d done. He might not have met my sexual needs, or caused my thighs to clench, but he was perfect in every other way. He was the only one who was still here for me despite everything.

Anger pulsed through my veins, overriding any desire I felt moments ago. My hands latched onto both of theirs and I dug my fingernails against their skin as forcefully as possible. Seven released a hiss, but it didn’t sound like it was one made of pain. It sounded as if he liked it. Archer on the other hand, just tightened his grip around my neck, causing black spots to dot my vision. My lips parted on a silent gasp.

I didn’t intend on killing her, but I did.

My heart thundered against my ribcage as I was met with that reminder. He choked a girl to death because he got too worked up. He could do that to me right now so easily, especially with his hand already around my throat. My head grew lighter with each passing second.

Alex stood, pure fury exuding from him. I’d never seen him so angry before and it didn’t suit him at all. He was sweet, down to earth, wore button down shirts and slacks most of the time. He enjoyed bible studying, going to church, and helping out in the community whenever he could.

“What are you going to do?” Archer taunted, amusement laced in his tone as if he were getting off on this. Hell, he probably was.

I hadn’t known Archer long, but he’d seemed so…charming at first. Knew what to say to get my heart pumping, knew where to touch me that sent chills careening through my body. I knew there was a monster lurking beneath the surface of his skin, and now, it had come out to play.

My eyes fluttered, darkness growing nearer and nearer. I couldn’t even make out Alex’s muffled response. Then, as fast as it had happened, Archer released me. I sucked in a sharp breath, tears stinging my eyes. Casually, he plucked another fry from the box he’d stolen moments earlier and stuck it in his mouth.

“We’re getting you out of here,” Alex said with determination. “I’ll request a transfer if that’s what it takes.” His hands were balled at his sides, his eyes narrowed into slits as he glanced between the two boys sitting on either side of me.

My hand drifted to my throat, my heart hammering against my chest wildly. When his eyes settled on me, they softened.

“I love you, Rosie. But I have to go. I can’t sit here and watch this. I’ll make some calls and see what I can do.”

“I love you, too,” I whispered.

Archer stiffened at my side, but I chose to ignore it. He meant nothing to me. My body reacted to him because he was different—dangerous. That’s why my heart rate increased anytime he was near, and that’s what I chose to believe. I was simply afraid of him. That was it.

I wanted to beg Alex not to leave, but it would be a futile attempt. He had determination written all over his face and he was pissed. If the roles were reversed, I’d probably be upset, too.

I shifted in my seat, attempting to rise so I could at least say my goodbyes properly, but Archer’s fingers tightened on my thigh in warning. Alex turned his back, striding out of the room and my heart sank.

“Are you happy now?” I demanded, glaring over at Archer, knowing he was behind this little stunt.

“Not even close.” He grinned.

Tears stained my cheeks and pillow as I clutched it against my face, muffling my sobs. Today was supposed to be a good one. Instead, I was met with the reminder that Daisy truly was gone, as if I ever really needed one to begin with, and my visitation was ruined by Archer and Seven. I hated them for that.

Who the hell did they think they were? They didn’t own me. They had no right to interfere like that. Swiping my hand across my face, I attempted to get rid of the evidence of my tears, but it was pointless since more were streaming down my face moments later.

I just want to go home.

There was nothing for me here. Yes, I committed a heinous act, and yes, I regretted that to my core. It was an accident. I never would have intentionally hurt Daisy, and I didn’t even remember hurting myself.

The white room was blinding, making me squint as I stared at the nearest wall. My chest felt heavy as these emotions burrowed through me. I sucked in a breath when my skin started to prickle, traveling all over my body and making me lightheaded.

She’s dead because of you.

Alex is better off without you.

Your mom didn’t come see you because she’s embarrassed by you. She blames you.

My breath hitched. These voices grew louder and louder within my mind until they merged together, taunting me. “No,” I sobbed, my voice cracking. “I didn’t mean to hurt Daisy. It was an accident.”

It doesn’t matter. She’s still dead because of you. She’ll never smile again. Never eat again. Never hug Beary again,

I didn’t think it was even possible, but my heart dropped even lower in my stomach. I sniffled, swiping my hand across my eyes when I saw a flash of white near my bedroom door that made me pause. Sitting up, I glanced near the corner of my room, my breath stalling in my throat.

Daisy stood there dressed in all white, her head tilted to the side. Her night gown pooled around her ankles as she held…Beary in the crook of her arm. My eyes darted to the corner of my bed where the stuffed animal still lay.

“This isn’t real,” I whispered, shaking my head.

“Come play with me.” She giggled, her voice tittering around the room as if she were speaking through a megaphone. “Do you want to play with me, Rosie?”

Reality told me this wasn’t real, but I rose from my bed anyways. She looked real. Her blonde hair was unkempt—much like it was the night she died. It flowed around her shoulders but there was no vent in the room. Her smile widened and she ran through the door as a ghost would, disappearing from sight.

“Daisy, wait!” I called out, my heart pumping wildly.

Her giggle resounded all around me as if she were still in the room. “Come find me,” she replied.

Slipping on my shoes, I darted for the door and slipped out into the hall. She stood at the end, a sinister smile curling the corners of her mouth before she took a right. I quickened my pace until I was jogging, needing to see her even if she were just a figment of my imagination. Adrenaline pulsed through my veins, guilt slamming into me.

When I made it around the corner, she was gone. My shoulders dropped in defeat as I looked up and down the hall, but she was nowhere in sight. Not even the tittering laugh. The lights above me flickered, giving the area an ominous appearance. Suddenly, it felt like something was very wrong. Chills erupted along my skin, and I turned to head back to my room, only to be stopped in my tracks by two girls with brown eyes and long dark hair.

Alina and Rachel.

Alina stepped forward first, a snarl curling the corners of her mouth as she looked me up and down as if I were simply beneath her.

“What’s so perfect about you?” she demanded, catching me off guard.

Alarm bells bounced around my skull. Narcissists. Alina had sadistic personality disorder. She got off on inflicting pain and I was helpless. Goosebumps attacked my exposed arms, and I absentmindedly rubbed my hands against them, trying to keep myself as small as possible.

“I-I don’t know what you mean,” I muttered.

She took another step forward, leaving her sister to follow her lead. “Archer likes you and I want to know why .”

Instinctively, I stepped back. There was nowhere for me to go, though, because it was a dead end. My breathing increased, hating the way they stared me down—like I was their newest fixation. A game they could play with and dispose of when they were finished.

“I don’t want Archer.” I breathed, glancing around for an escape route.

Rachel laughed, drawing my attention back to her. “It didn’t look that way in group therapy the other day.” She smirked. She knew exactly what she was doing. “Do you make a habit out of letting random people touch you that you aren’t interested in?”

I shook my head, tears stinging my eyes from my recent encounter with a fake Daisy and then this. “I don’t want any trouble.” I said, raising my head to look Alina in the eye.

Her gaze traveled over me slowly and then her nose wrinkled in distaste. “Maybe you should have thought about that, skank,” she hissed. Before I could even process her words, she was lunging forward, grabbing a handful of my hair and jerking my head back.

A gasp slipped from my lips, pain radiating through my scalp. She was skinnier than I was, but she had an iron grip. Rachel moved forward, stopping right in front of me. She smirked, clearly getting off on this. Alina tugged harder, causing my neck to bend more and my back to arch. My hands latched onto her wrist, but even as I pulled at her arm, she didn’t let up.

“I wonder if he’ll still like you when you’re not so pretty anymore.” Rachel grinned, fishing in her jacket pocket and pulling out a piece of glass.

My eyes widened, a whimper bubbling up from my throat. I tried to jerk out of Alina’s hold, but my attempts were useless. She threaded her fingers even more tightly in my hair, giving me no room to move at all. My heart beat wildly in my chest, fear spiking through me.

I couldn’t die here. Not like this. Not by the hands of a couple of mean girls.

Not mean girls. Psychopaths.

“Please,” I choked out. “I’ll stay away from him. Whatever you want. Just don’t do this.” I already planned on steering clear of him after Seven’s threat, with the exception of visitation. They didn’t need to know that, though.

Rachel snorted in response, obviously not satisfied by that in the slightest. She placed the sharp edge of the glass to my cheek, right beneath my cheek bone. My blood heated, spreading through my veins, and lighting a fire inside of me. There was nothing I could do to get out of this. I winced as she added more pressure, my chest heaving.

“That’s not good enough,” Alina snapped, her voice loud in my ear, making me flinch.

“Then what do you want?” I demanded, a sting slicing through my cheek followed by a trickle of warmth that I knew was blood.

Rachel didn’t relent. She continued to slash the glass down the side of my face, forcing a whimper from my lips. My nails bit into Alina’s wrist, but that didn’t do anything either.

“It’s simple really,” Alina answered. “We don’t want Archer looking at you anymore.”

Rachel grinned maniacally before moving the makeshift weapon to the corner of my mouth, an evil glint in her dark irises.

“What the fuck is going on over here?” A familiar voice boomed. I never thought I’d feel relieved hearing that tone, but my shoulders dropped just the same.

My eyes darted to Jordan’s who stood behind Rachel, anger flickering across his face. I was surprised he even bothered coming to my rescue, but beggars couldn’t be choosers. Rachel rolled her eyes, dropping her arm to her side, and turned to face him.

“We’re just having some fun.” I couldn’t see her face, but I could hear her smirk, which was enough to piss me off.

Jordan glanced over at me, his gaze following the trickle of blood running down my cheek before his jaw tightened. “It doesn’t look like Rosalie is having much fun,” he pointed out. “Release her,” he demanded, looking over at Alina who still held me hostage.

With reluctance, Alina obeyed, and I stumbled forward. My heart was beating so loudly, I was sure everyone could hear it. My hand moved up to cup my cheek, the warm liquid sticking to my fingers and palm. Fear was a potent drug. It had the ability to immobilize you in the face of danger, it had the strength to make you act irrationally, or to even say things you never would have otherwise. For me, I was frozen. Even though they released me, and I knew I could move, my legs were rooted to the spot.

Jordan glanced between the twins, before settling his eyes on me. “Come,” he ordered.

My breath hitched at his commanding tone, the sound doing things to my body I didn’t even want to contemplate. I hurried over to his side, my heart beating even more wildly than before.

His jaw was coiled with tension as he stared the two girls down, his eyes narrowed on them. I didn’t know why he came to my defense when he clearly didn’t care much about me, especially not after our encounter in Valentine’s office, but I wasn’t about to decline his help.

“She’s off-limits until we’re done with her,” he continued in a low, gravelly voice that sent the hair rising on the back of my neck.

The twins didn’t seem pleased by this one bit, but before they could protest, he wrapped his hand around the crook of my arm and started pulling me down the hallway the way we’d come. His grip was firm as he walked, taking long strides and forcing me to keep up with him with his bruising hold on me.

I had a million questions but couldn’t bring myself to utter a single one of them. When he led me past my room, I snapped my eyes in his direction, but he was exuding danger and violence, so I thought better of commenting on that, too.

He didn’t release me until he was shoving me into the bathroom, my stomach lurching as I glanced around the empty space. He was silent as he drifted over to the sink and turned on the water, checking the temperature every few seconds until it was where he wanted it. When he was done, he motioned for me. Hesitantly, I took a step forward, not sure what he wanted exactly.

Being in here with him felt wrong. He could do anything he wanted to me, and I’d be useless to stop it. It was obvious that he didn’t want me dead, otherwise he would have left me to the evil twins, so that brought me some comfort.

When we were side by side, he turned to face me and placed his hands on either side of my waist. My lips parted on a protest, but before I could get the words out, he was lifting me, setting me on the counter. He turned away, reaching for a paper towel and then placed it beneath the water. Once it was damp enough, he moved it toward the soap dispenser, allowing the foamy substance to coat the paper before folding it together and rubbing, making sure it was sanitized.

“What are you doing?” I whispered.

He was silent for a few moments, placing it against the cut on my cheek. A hiss slipped from my lips before he replied. “That glass they used, it was dirty,” he explained, dabbing the towel along the sensitive area where Rachel had cut me.

My eyes found his as he worked. They were blue with a green ring around them. Stubble graced his jaw, giving him a manlier look than his friends. His facial features were sharp, and his dark blonde hair was swept to the side, creating a shadow over his forehead. He was gorgeous.

Licking my lips, his gaze dropped to the movement, causing heat to spread through my limbs. “W-why did you stop them?” I asked nervously.

“Would you rather I have left you there?”

I shook my head, a little defeated that he didn’t give me a direct answer. As if sensing this, his lips twitched in amusement. He continued to dab the wound gently. When he was done, he disposed of the paper towel and helped me off the counter. My shirt rode up with the movement, causing his fingers to brush along my bare skin, making heat pulse deep within my abdomen.

Once my feet were planted on the floor, he released me. “No more walking the halls at night,” he warned me.

I bit my lip thoughtfully before forcing my gaze to his again. “How did you know the glass was dirty?”

“Everything in this place is dirty, tainted . You’d be wise to remember that, Little Trouble.” His lips curled into a smirk; the sight breathtaking just as much as it was infuriating.

I scrunched up my nose. “Little trouble?” I repeated, an obvious question to my tone.

“Trouble has a way of finding you.” Was his only response, which only left me more confused.

My head spun as I mulled over his words. The only trouble I’d encountered since coming here all had to do with a single person—Archer. If it weren’t for him, I’d be flying under the radar with ease. That was another reason I needed to steer clear of him. As captivating as he was, he wasn’t worth all the danger that came with him.

None of them were.

Jordan stood there, completely stunning in appearance. It was a cruel mask, making it easier for him to reel his victims in. The attraction was at the surface of his being, but beneath…he was a cold-blooded murderer with no remorse. It would do me well to remember that. Even as he looked at me now with slight tenderness and amusement, I knew he had an agenda. Just the other day he was glaring at me and hissing out threats. He didn’t want me to die tonight, because that wouldn’t serve his greater purpose. He had something else planned, something I wanted no part of.

Sighing, I stepped away from the counter. “Thanks for not letting me get sliced to death, but I should probably head to bed.” I jutted my thumb in the direction of the exit, not wanting to spend one more moment alone with him. If my theory was right, he was more dangerous than both Seven and Archer combined.

He cocked his head, the amusement in his eyes flickering out of existence. He stepped forward, invading my personal space. My heart rate increased, and I stumbled backwards, bumping into the counter again. He braced a hand on either side of me, his eyes drinking in the terrified expression on my face.

“That was a pretty lame way to show me your appreciation, don’t you think?” he drawled. “I did save your life, after all.”

And there it is. He does want something from me.

Swallowing thickly, I diverted my gaze to the wall behind him, refusing to get lost in his eyes. That was a mistake I’d made with Archer a couple of times now, and each time, he took advantage.

“I didn’t ask you to save me,” I snapped.

He reached out, gripping my jaw between his fingers before jerking my face to his, forcing me to look him in the eye. “Is that the game you want to play?” he demanded, a clear warning in his tone. “Because I know this won’t be the last time you end up at someone’s mercy here. Your decision right now, predicts whether I help you again.”

My breath hitched at his words. Protection. He was offering me protection. But at what cost?

Taking him up on his offer meant that I wouldn’t have to live in continuous fear. He would act as my own personal bodyguard of sorts. Archer’s warning from the day I officially met him rang in my ears: This place is filled with horrible people. Of people who want to take what isn’t there’s. I sucked in a sharp breath. I didn’t even know what it was that Jordan wanted from me, yet. How could I even consider this?

Did I even deserve protection at all? I didn’t protect Daisy when she needed it. My chest tightened with that painful reminder.

Schooling my features the best I could, my eyes darted up to meet his. “What is it you want exactly?”

His face was unreadable as he assessed me quietly. The tension in the room thickened with each silent moment that passed between us. The only indication that he’d even heard me was the slight tick in his jaw. Finally, he exhaled slowly, his eyes darting to my lips before they met mine again. Suddenly, I had a feeling that what he wanted wasn’t something I was willing to give him.

“Let’s just say you’ll owe me one,” he decided.

I reeled back, confusion settling deep within my core as it spread to the rest of my body. “You can’t be serious,” I snapped, infuriated that he would even suggest keeping me in the dark until it was time for him to collect. “So, what? You just expect me to agree to this and allow you to request whatever you want of me when you finally decide?”

His jaw tightened and he stepped into me, pressing me into the counter. My pulse thrummed wildly, his eyes trailing the steady flutter of where it sat beneath the skin of my neck. The warmth of his body enveloped me, sending electricity spiraling through me, and that pissed me off even more.

What was it with these assholes that managed to bring my body to life with a single touch, with a single look. And what was it about them that didn’t get the concept of personal space? Mind made up, I shoved against his rock-hard chest, but he didn’t so much as stumble.

“Let me go,” I demanded, pushing against him again. “You can talk to me without touching me.”

“Watch your tone with me,” he growled. “I’m not your little boyfriend. I will fuck you to get my point across. Willingly, or not.”

My head jerked back as if he’d slapped me. With what he just said, he might as well have. I stilled, horror and defeat spreading through my limbs. “I have some conditions then,” I relented.

He snorted in response, like that amused him. “This isn’t a negotiation. I help you; you help me. Nothing else.”

My teeth scraped together with the clench of my jaw, my eyes narrowing as frustration pulsed through me violently. How could he expect me to agree to that? He could take anything he wanted from me at any time, and there would be nothing I could do to stop it. A deal with the devil.

“My body is off the table.”

He glanced down at me with a dry expression. “I’ll take it if I want it, with or without the deal.”

“You’re infuriating,” I snapped, losing my patience with him. I hated how blunt and honest he was. Why couldn’t he just lie to me?

He didn’t respond to that. Just kept staring down at me, his expression as unreadable as before. The heat he exuded was potent as ever, surrounding me in its embrace and I hated it. Hated him for trying to strip me of the few choices I had left. One of his hands moved toward my face, shoving blonde strands behind my shoulder where it had previously been positioned over my breast. The act was too intimate for me, but all I could do was glare in protest. He made it clear that he would hurt me if I so much as snapped at him again, or said something he didn’t like.

I knew he was waiting for an answer, but this was a huge ask. This was something that required trust and trusting him was the last thing I’d ever do. His aunt and uncle trusted him and look where that got them. Dead .

“I like that fire in your eyes,” he whispered. “Keep it.”

I swallowed thickly, my nerves getting the better of me. “You’ll hurt me,” I accused, searching his features for any sign of protest to that statement. I found none.

“Probably. But so would anyone else if given the chance.”

Licking my lips, my heart thundered beneath my ribcage. “Will you kill me?” I tried again, valuing my life much more than anything else even if I didn’t understand why.

He didn’t even hesitate before responding. “The deal is your safety. I will not kill you, nor will I let anyone else under my watch. You have my word.”

“Your word doesn’t mean shit to me,” I retorted, glancing at the wall behind him again.

It felt like I was signing my life away. There was no telling how long I’d be in here, or how long he’d drag this out. He could make my life hell, and if I did agree, he would practically own me.

He pulled me out of my thoughts with his gravelly voice, the sound making my stomach flip in a way I both loved and resented. “It should. I never break my promises.” The sincerity in his eyes told me how much he believed that, but he was also crazy. His disorders had a way of contorting reality. Even if I went forward and agreed, there was no telling what his mind would do to flip things in a scenario that would inevitably result in my death. But what choice did I really have? If Jordan hadn’t saved me tonight, I would have died. That much was clear.

“One favor?” I asked. “To pay you back for tonight.”

He tipped his chin in agreement. “And another for every time I have to save your ass.”

Blowing out a breath, I moved my gaze to his again. “Then you have a deal, Mr. Devil.”