Page 39 of Dolls & Daggers

Panic flares. Red-hot, all-consuming. A voice that isn’t hers invades my head.

Danger.

We’re in danger.

I can’t see. Everything is a blur, but I’m vaguely aware of hands grasping at mine, even though all I see is red.

Danger.

We’re in danger.

“...it’s me,” a soft gasp.

A sharp bark. Then another.

“Wren… it’s me… it’s Dove. It’s just Dove.” Hoarse and broken and begging.

“Wren!”

Another sharp bark.

I don’t have a dog.

I don’t have a dog.

I don’t…

The world comes crashing back in a burst of cream and pink, and I release my grip as she stumbles off my lap, gasping for air and delicately clutching her throat.

“Holy shit. Dove, I’m so sorry.” Shock and realization knock the air from my lungs. I push to my feet and reach for her, but she sticks a hand out to stop me.

“No. I’m sorry, Wren. I shouldn’t have pushed you. Are you okay?” She doesn’t look scared of me, but she should be by the looks of the red ring of fingerprints marring her skin. The sight makes my stomach roil as the beers I had earlier threaten to make an appearance.

I hurt her.

I hurt her, and she’s asking ifI’mokay. “Dove…”

“It’s okay.” She shakes her head as I approach her again. “Seriously, I’m good.” Her voice is raspy and sounds so fucking painful, and it hurtsmeto know I’m the cause of it.

“Fuck!” What if I did permanent damage? What if I ruined her vocal cords, and I never get to hear her light-hearted, bubbly cadence again?

I reach out to her, but Fang puts himself between us, growling at me like he can actually stop me from getting to her.

“It’s okay, baby. He didn’t mean to,” she coos.

I’m so sorry, baby. I didn’t mean to.Another flashback strobes across my vision.

I’ve never had something set me off to the point of violence before. “I’m so sorry.”

Dove tells me she’s okay again, but I don’t hear it. I flee out of shame. Especially after what she told me.

Dove opened up, letting me in by sharing about the demon of her past.

I just let mine ruin our whole goddamn future.

“This is a bad idea,”Bunny’s concern bleeds through the speakerphone.

“Well, he won’t answer my calls or texts. What else am I supposed to do? He won’t talk to me. Maybe he’ll talk toher,” I grunt, struggling to zip up my catsuit. “I wish you were here to do this for me. You know I had nothing to do with Hunter kissing me. Why am I the one being punished?”