Chapter Seventeen
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Blade
Hannah is curled upon my couch, Grace nestled comfortably in her lap.The sight of them —her soft and relaxed, Grace purring in contentment—should calm me, but it doesn’t.Not when I can hear Vex’s approach outside.He’s making enough noise to warn the dead.A deliberate tactic, I know, to make sure I don’t get spooked and accidentally eviscerate him.
I let out a quiet breath, the tension in my muscles easing, but only a little.When he knocks on the door, it’s not a soft tap—Vex doesn’t do subtle.Hannah jumps, clutching Grace tighter to her chest.The cat lets out a disgruntled cry, followed by a sharp hiss of protest.
“It’s me, Vex!”he shouts from the other side, a smirk in his voice, even though I can’t see it.
Hannah relaxes, but only for a second.Grace jumps off her lap and pads toward the door, her little feet making soft taps against the wooden floorboards.I watch her, my gaze flicking to Hannah.Her nerves are still there, but she’s trying not to show it.
Opening the door, Grace immediately rubs herself against Vex’s leg, giving him a bit of a friendly greeting.It’s almost as if she can tell he’s not the biggest threat in the room, though she might be the only one who thinks that way.
“The cat is broken like its owner,” Vex whispers so softly that only I can hear.His voice is low, tinged with the usual edge of his sarcasm, but there’s a truth in it that stings just a little.It’s a jab aimed at me.“It doesn’t realize it’s in a building full of monsters.”
Rolling my eyes, I say, “Vex, meet Grace.”
He nods, glancing down at the cat with a frown on his face.“Nice to meet you.”His gaze shifts to me, and the usual amusement lights up his eyes.“Got a beer or ten?”
“Yeah,” I reply flatly, stepping back to let him in.
Conversation is always a game with Vex.
Hannah stands from the couch, smoothing her T-shirt over her stomach.The motion is casual, her eyes meet Vex’s, and I see a flicker of recognition cross her features.
“Hey, Vex,” she says, her voice soft.
“Hannah.”Vex’s smile is like a wolf’s—sharp and knowing.He approaches her, and without hesitation, he reaches out, placing a hand on her arm.It’s not a casual gesture—it’s purposeful, the touch lingering just a little too long.“I’m so sorry you’re going through this,” he says, his voice so sincere that it’s almost believable.
Almost.
A growl rumbles in my chest before I can stop it.The sound of it is deep and dangerous, letting him know Hannah is mine.Vex’s eyes snap to me, and that damn smirk never leaves his face.He winks at me, his hand dropping from Hannah’s arm—he’s just teasing me.The fucker is always playing with me, even now.
I clench my fists at my sides, but I don’t do anything more.Vex knows how to push buttons, and right now, he’s doing exactly that.
Ignoring him, I reach out to Hannah, my fingers brushing against the spot where Vex’s hand had just been.Her skin is warm against mine as I place my hand there.
“Do you want a drink?”
“A beer sounds good,” she replies, her voice softer than I expected.
