Page 26 of Witchblood

Apalet out a sigh. “Small favors,” he grumbled. “Does he plan to stay?”

“We’re working on that,” Liam answered.

I frowned at him.

“I’ve had Oberon check all of his accounts and everything is as it should be. Kevin should be arriving before nightfall with the trailer, but he’ll call before he arrives. I hope that providing all his things will help.” Kevin? I tried to recall if I knew a Kevin and should be worried. “How is he holding up?”

“He’s skittish,” Liam said, humor in his eyes. “Prickly. More like a porcupine than a fox.”

Jerk, I mouthed at him. Hopefully even the Volkov wasn’t powerful enough to hear my heartbeat through the long distance line of a cell phone three years out of date.

“That is actually normal, and reassuring,” the Volkov replied.

“Felix has called several times demanding entrance to my territory,” Liam told the Volkov. I felt my heart begin to pound. “If he persists and crosses into my land…”

“Understood. I’ve warned him myself. Sent his brother to retrieve him. He may be too far gone to make any reasonable decisions. I take the blame for that. I will deal with him directly if I have to.”Apawas quiet for a moment as if thinking. “Seb?”

Could he hear me? I gripped the blanket tighter and tried not to breath.

Again he sighed. “I understand.”

“Time,” Liam said.

“Is often a luxury,” the Volkov finished. “Make use of it the best way you can.” Then he hung up.

“I don’t know anyone named Kevin,” I told Liam. Why was he coming? What trailer?

“Let’s go get dinner,” Liam said instead of answering.

“Evasive,” I pointed out again, but my stomach growled.

“Change the pants,” Liam instructed. “No need to smell wounded among wolves.”

I growled at him as I let go of the blanket, slid to the edge of the bed and then stalked to the dresser to grab a clean pair of sweats. My leg still hurt a little, the edge near my stomach being the worst of it. The wound looked healed, a pink scar tracing the path through my flesh, but the skin still tender from regrowth. I suspected when I brushed my hair I’d feel much the same tenderness in my scalp.

“Thank you,” I said. “For helping me heal. You’re really not angry?”

“Not at you.”

I looked up to see there was a tightness to his eyes. Maybe anger, maybe frustration.

“You look mad.” But he hadn’t lied. If he was mad it wasn’t at me. “Are you mad at the Volkov?”

“That would be stupid,” Liam said, though he didn’t deny it. “I’m not suicidal.” He was quiet another minute before adding, “He should have protected you better.”

I didn’t disagree as I tugged on the sweats, feeling Liam’s eyes on me the whole time. Not predatory, but not innocent either. When I glanced back his way there was heat in his eyes, amusement, and pride. Pride?

“I don’t get you,” I told him.

“What is to get?” He asked.

I waved a hand at all of him.

He quirked a brow at me.

“Nevermind. Let’s get food.” Because I could go for another bacon sandwich, that would be fantastic, and maybe I’d stop tasting Liam’s lips on mine.

Chapter 11