Just as quickly as it had formed, Mal’s smile faltered. From his desk, he could see the full form of Danny sprawled out on the sofa, taking up every bit of available space, while his hand reached out as if still seeking the loss of Mal’s warmth.
Dangerous was how Mal had lived his entire life. He wasn’t about to change that now. He knew what he wanted, what he was and wasn’t willing to give up, even if everything else about his life changed forever.
“He’s safe with me.”
“Yeah, I know,” Vaughn said with a stunted laugh. “How messed up is that?”
ß
Danny woke to the smell of breakfast. It made him smile in his half-dozing state, because this time his brain remembered he was with Cho, and he loved the thief’s cooking. Loved how Cho cooked for him at all. How he took care of him. But when Danny’s eyes opened to find the living room ceiling, he remembered why they’d ended up on the sofa again.
Despite the grumble of Danny’s empty stomach, the food didn’t smell as appetizing anymore.
He sat up slowly. The coffee table had been cleared of any traces of last night. When he looked behind him, Cho had already showered and dressed for the day, wearing that brightteal button down Danny loved as he busied himself in the kitchen. His cuts were healing nicely, less angry, but his bruises were bright and colorful to remind Danny of everything he’d allowed to happen.
“Best you’ll ever have,” Cho said as he flipped the last of a batch of pancakes. Several other stacks and some scrambled eggs awaited Danny on a platter, while an empty plate sat in front of his usual spot at the kitchen island.
The pit in Danny’s stomach deepened.Best you’ll ever have.Cho meant the food, and it was likely true, but all he could think about was his own words to Cho when their affair started.
I’m gonna ruin you for everybody else.
Danny’s reflection was right. Hewaslike Thanatos. He’d put good people in harm’s way. He’d intended to do terrible things to others just because he wanted to. He’d manipulated and hurt people simply because he could. And he was a worse villain for doing it while pretending he was in the right. He couldn’t keep pretending anymore.
“For the record,” Cho said, “I did replace the bed upstairs, but neither of us was in a moving kind of mood last night, and it seemed a shame to wake you.”
“I should go.” Danny stood and kept his eyes trained forward as he moved for the door.
“Go? Without breakfast? What a poor house guest, Sparky. You’re still wearing my clothes.”
“Oh, I…” Looking down at himself, Danny saw that he was. “I’ll get them back to you.”
“Danny—”
“I need to go home, check in at work…”Fuck, work. Danny didn’t want to think about going in today, but it was only Tuesday. He couldn’t call in sick, not after another heist. Captain Shan would be all over him.
“We need to discuss a plan for Ludgate—”
“I know.” Danny flinched at the name and tried not to look at Cho as he came out of the kitchen to intercept him. “I’ll think of something. He wants me more than you. He won’t attack right away.”
“Danny, will you look at me?”
“Thanks for letting me stay here.” Keeping his feet moving, Danny reached for the doorknob.
Cho’s hand closed around his wrist. Danny’s instincts were to wrench it away, but the touch was gentle. A month ago he never would have believed Cho could be gentle. “Ludgate went back for the guard. He’s dead.”
“He…” Danny’s heart skipped. Ludgate had killed a man—because ofhim.
“It isn’t your fault,” Cho said, reading Danny’s expression. “If it’s anyone’s other than Ludgate’s, it’s mine. I planned the heist. I knocked the guard out.”
God, now even Cho was taking blame for Danny. He had to get out of there.
“Let me help you sort this. We can do this together.”
Didn’t Cho know Danny was poison? Of course he didn’t. Because Danny had been lying to him from the start.
“Wasn’t there something you wanted to tell me last night?”
Yes. But Danny couldn’t. Not today. Not now. “It’s not important,” he lied—again.
