Page 15 of Scavenger's Oath

The lie sours on my tongue, so I turn away before he can notice, and grab a frying pan from the drying rack.

Behind me, Myles just hums in response, as he grabs a can of fruit from the cabinet.

Silence stretches between us, broken only by him clattering around looking for a spoon.

My stomach churns with something ugly. The thought of Myles going into that room, leaning over her, touching her. Peeling back her fear like it’s something to be earned… it sits in my chest like acid.

It’s not about her. I couldn’t care less. In fact, I almost dragged her out myself last night. One small body wouldn’t be hard to deal with on my own.

She's just a stray. Nothing special. And she won’t survive the heat of Myles’s passion. With the way that he burns, she'll be lucky to last the week.

But he doesn’t get to burn this place down with him.

I’ll let him play with fire for now, but I’ll be there to stamp it out before itspreads.

Chapter 6

Myles

The hallways stink of wood rot and stale air, shadows thick enough to choke on.

I slow when I reach the holding room door. Something feels different. Calmer somehow.

Zane.

Throwing the door open, I burst into the room expecting to find that he’s stolen my new pet and set her free.

She squeaks, flinching like a kicked dog, and pulls herself into a ball, wrapping a threadbare blanket around her body.

What the fuck?

That snake! Coming in here to play the hero. Trying to undermine the work I’m putting in.

Should’ve known he couldn't resist. But at least he wasn't dumb enough to try and take what's mine. I’ll make sure she never looks at him the way I want her to look at me.

Shoving my annoyance down for now, I refocus on her. She looks even smaller in the daylight. Fragile. Just like Zane said.

Pale skin, a little sunburn across her cheeks. But the dirt from yesterday is gone.

That must have also been Zane’s doing.He better not have touched her.

Delicate wrists curl in toward her chest, fingers wrapped tight in the edge of the blanket. Those stormy blue eyes fixed on me as if I’m death itself.

She’s terrified.

Her fear slicks my spine in heat, and I’m already straining in my pants, cock aching as if it knows what’s coming.

This might take some time, but she'll come around. Just like I know Phoenix will.

Once she realises that I'm the one keeping her alive, she'll look at me like she needs me. Like she wants me. And I can't wait to see that look on her face.

I move forward and lean against the bars, holding the tin of fruit between them.

“Good morning, little doe,” I greet, voice low with amusement. “Brought you some breakfast.”

Nothing. Just that wide eyed stare.

“Don't worry. I didn't poison it,” I chuckle, forcing a smile.