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How was I supposed to know this was a sensitive topic?

“I think you’re really strong.” My thoughts scattered as I tried to make this better. “You’re insanely hot, too. I just meant that you’re also sweet. So I could never be scared of you.”

The redness had completely covered Miles’s face, and he stared at the floor. “Thanks…”

Thanks?

That’sall he was going to say? I had poured out my most horrifying inner thoughts and everything. Where did his response even leave me? It wasn’t like I could say,You’re welcome.

“Um…” I touched my fingers together, turning to Julian as I silently pleaded for help.

I was terrible at human interaction.

Julian rolled his eyes at Miles, turning back to me. “All right, it’s time to get you fixed up. There’s no shopping today. I want you to rest and we can go tomorrow. Miles will bring you food.”

But I felt perfectly fine!

I prepared to argue, but my body betrayed me, and I swayed.

Miles jumped forward, wrapping his arm around my waist as he led me to the bed.

Julian tsked, his demeanor turning clinical. His touch over my shoulder was light, then he moved to my neck. His face darkened.

“What’s wrong?” Miles slid beside me. “Is it not healing properly? Do you need me to do anything? Does she need to see arealdoctor?”

Julian shot Miles an even look.

“It’s fine,” he said. “Relax. I’m only wondering if we should bandage it tomorrow when she goes out in public.”

My breath caught and I raised my hand to my neck.

I’d checked in the bathroom, out of curiosity. The initial wound hadn’t been too terribly deep, and it was healing fine.

But it was still rather jarring.

“I look like a massacre victim,” I whispered, glancing at the two of them. There was no way I could go out like this. People would stop and stare.

“You do not,” Julian replied. “Let it be today, and tomorrow I’ll cover it. People will just assume you’re wearing a choker.”

“Will they?” Was he lying to make me feel better? If he was, it was working. My breathing had begun to slow and the room stopped spinning. I smoothed my hands over the seat of my pants, trying to gain confidence from his words. “Will they assume that?”

Miles scoffed, but Julian nodded. “Of course they will. I’ll go with you, if you want.”

“You will?” I clasped his hands in my own. “Do you promise?”

I felt so much better at the idea of him coming with me. His serene presence would offset Bryce’s annoying one. But then, could I bother him with that?

Miles made another sound, and I noticed him watching Julian with a raised brow. “You’re as predictable as always,” he said.

Julian pulled back briefly, returning to his ministrations. His fingers were gentle as he continued to clean my wounds. But his tone was inscrutable as he responded. “I haven’t a clue what you’re talking about.”

Chapter Seventeen

Bianca

Wear

By the next day, I was so ready to get out of Damen’s house.