Page 122 of Worse Fates

I shrug, remembering the boy Jace ordered to touch the book and Jace reaching out to Emma. Yeah they were shitty people, but ain’t it a little human to feel something for them?

Lucero on the other hand couldn’t care less and I have no doubt, if given the chance, he’d slaughter every single person in that warehouse again—twice over. To my mate, If you’re not one of his people, you don’t matter.

I don’t know what it says about me, but I’m glad Lucero has that sharp, unrelenting edge. In a world that’s been so cruelto me, it’s nice having someone at my back who’s willing to be crueller.

“It just feels pointless,” I admit. “So many people died for nothing.”

“They never found Mickey’s body,” Ramy informs me gently.

A yawn cracks my mouth wide before I have a chance to stop it. “You think he’s out there with Emma?”

“If Mickey knew what was good for him, he’d run far from her.” Lucero’s eyes darken, and I can tell that he wishes he finished the job and ended Mickey’s life when they first met.

I don’t say anything as I snuggle into my soulmate and let the world fade, warm and content and loved.

???

I must fall asleep, because the next thing I know, my head is resting on Lucero’s lap and we’re in an unfamiliar living room. It’s large, a C shaped sofa lining the whole back wall. The cream-colored wide pillows I’ve sunken into cotton-soft.

When I’m feeling more myself, I really gotta explore this big-ass mansion.

Smooth jazz softly plays from hidden speakers, harmonising perfectly with the fire crackling inside the stone and walnut fireplace.

“Apollo still says he doesn’t remember Rurik?” Lucero’s voice is soothing as he plays with my curls.

“Not like that’ll stop Rurik from chasing him.” Curled up in the corner, Ramy lounges with a pillow in his arms.

Yawning, I sit up. “How has he forgotten?”

“We aren’t sure yet, but Rurik will find out.” Lucero cups my jaw and brushes soft kisses over my lips, blissful sighs slipout of me to chase away the last traces of sleep. “Did you rest well, love?”

“Yeah, and my stomach doesn't hurt anymore.” I rub my eyes. “How long was I out for?”

“It doesn’t matter. Sleep as much as you need,” Lucero tells me, indulgent as an extra piece of chocolate cake.

But I glance at the floor length french doors, bracketed by long wool curtains the colour of oat milk to find the sun has long since dropped.

“I missed the whole day—again…” Groaning, I drop my forehead on his shoulder.

Lucero chuckles, carding his fingers through my hair. “No pouting. Besides, you woke up just in time for a visitor.”

Excited, I shoot upright. “Kai?”

He visited me when I first woke up and calls every day. I don’t admit it, but I’m kinda loving how much he’s fussing over me right now. Still, every time I ask how he’s doing he changes the subject and I might be Mr. Sleepy, but the dark circles under his eyes rival mine.

Concern gnaws at me, but I’m hopeful if we spend some real time together when we’re not being held hostage, running from danger or holding each other's unconscious body, maybe I can actually help my best friend.

“Not Kai,” Ramy says, grinning wide enough to hurt.

The door swings open and a stranger fills the entire frame, sauntering in with the confidence of a man 6’6 and a face chiselled from marble.

“You’re here!” Ramy jumps up and rushes over, hugging the stranger like an excited kid.

I’m so shocked to see this side of Ramy that if I wasn’t already sitting down, I’d be on the floor.

“Hello, Rahim.” The man says Ramy’s name like it’s the softest of pillows and returns his hug.

“Wait, that’s your first name? I didn’t know it was short for anything…” I blurt out to my friend, who grins at me.