Page 14 of Scavenger's Oath

What the hell does that scrawny girl have that made Myles light up like that?

What does she have that I don’t?

The thought makes my chest feel tight.

And no, it’s notjustjealousy. Myles and I were never exclusive. I amgenuinelyconcerned for our group…

Mark my words, she’s a problem waiting to happen. She’ll ruin everything we’ve built. A girl like that is bound to be full of secrets, bringing unpredictable risks that could destroy everything.

And I hate the way Myles looks at her like she’s worth that risk.

It’s pathetic. The way they’re both revolving their days around her already.

She even has Zane fooled. Though that's not entirely out of character for the big softy. He didn’t say much when Myles grabbed her, but I caught the way he was looking at her.

And now he's wasting his hunting vantage just to sneak in to see her.

Please.

You’d think the biggest one of us would be the coldest. But those broad shoulders just make more room for that huge bleeding heart. Always trying to make things right. Always carrying the guilt of everything he’d done to survive before we’d found him bleeding in a ditch three years ago.

The creak of the stairs pulls me out of my thoughts before I can bury myself deeper. I don't have to turn around to know it's Myles with his obnoxious steps coming toward the kitchen.

Confident, even half asleep.

At least he doesn't sneak around like Zane.

“Morning,” Myles mutters through a yawn, scratching the back of his neck as he pads into the kitchen half dressed.

His black cargo pants hang low on his hips, displaying the groves of his v-line and the tattoo that dips into his waistband. His sun-kissed hair is styled like usual, spiked up at the front, the honey blonde catching the warm light of the morning.

Even half awake, he looks like a storm contained in a pretty boy's body. I’d even once described him as beautiful… in a moment of weakness. And he never let me forget it.

I glance at him from the corner of my eye. “Coffee’s not hot, make it yourself.”

Myles smirks sleepily and grabs a mug anyway. “Damn, someone’s in a mood. You seriously still mad? You've been sulking since I brought her in.”

“Zane only just left,” I say, ignoring the subject and his dig at me. Leaning back against the counter, I fold my arms over my chest, showing him I'm not amused by his antics.

Myles raises an eyebrow, taking it as a challenge, as the corner of his lips curl upward while he fills his mug with the cold coffee.

“Bet he stopped by the holding room first. Can't resist a damsel in distress.”

When I don't answer Myles’s grin only widens, and there's something smug in the way he leans against the opposite counter.

“I doubt she'll talk to him. She never said a word last night, just cried and stared with those big, frightened eyes. Kinda cute, actually. Pretty little thing too, even with the dirt on her cheeks,” he continues casually.

My hands curl into fists on the counter behind me, but I keep my mouth shut. I know he's trying to get a rise out of me. Myles loves to pick a fight. Always acting on impulse and collecting trouble like it's a game.

“Think she'll start talking today?” He continues as he sips that foul coffee. “Maybe she just needs the right kind of... encouragement. Girls like that always act tough at first. But they break easy.”

“Well the sooner you ruin your new toy, the sooner we can stop wasting food on her,” I bite back, jaw tight.And maybe I’ll stop feeling this sick gnawing thing in my chest whenever you talk about her.

Myles’s eyes flicker with satisfaction. Fuck, he knows how to bait me. How to make me jealous.

“You'll come around. You'll see how useful it can be to have a woman around,” Myles replies casually.

“Fat chance,” I retort, rolling my eyes. “Go play with your toy. I don't give a fuck what you do. Just don’t expect me to clean up the mess.”