AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Of course, he was apparently possessed by a demon and was trying to kill me at the time, but that didn’t mean this guy was indeed on my side. Then again, there was that strange aura of fire. What was that all about?
“How did you know I was in danger with the demon guys?”
“It’s my job to know.”
“It’s your job to know when demons are attacking me?”
“To know when someone is in danger from demons. To expel them.”
“So, am I the only one in this city in danger, or are you following me?”
“Genevieve, you’re currently a magnet for every kind of spawn of hell.” He heaved an exasperated sigh, observing my injury closely, dark brow knit in concentration. “I knew it wouldn’t take long for them to find you.”
“That’s not an answer.”
He dabbed my wound clean, not meeting my eyes.
“Try to stitch it closely, please. I don’t want an ugly scar across my stomach.”
“Would you rather continue arguing while you bleed to death, or would you like me to close the gaping wound in your abdomen?”
I scowled, reclining back at the same time. My pride clamped my stupid mouth shut.
He pushed my tank up a little higher. I shivered at the intimate touch. He spread his left hand along my ribs and stomach, flattening the wound evenly. While the pain of the wound overrode most other sensations, I couldn’t help holding my breath with him touching me and leaning so close.
“Relax.”
His deep, soft voice eased the tension from my rigid body. Ironically, a good bit of that tension came directly from his touch. After wiping the blood clean around the wound and dabbing antiseptic with a gentle hand, he took out a needle and vial, then leaned close to the cut.
“Good thing this was done with a knife.”
“As opposed to?”
“Claws. Teeth.”
“Yeah, good thing.”
What planet was I living on? Geez. He gave me one of those looks, saying I had no idea what I was in for. He was right. I was in way over my head, and I wasn’t afraid to admit it at this point.
“This will sting, but I need to give you a local anesthetic to dull the pain of the stitching.”
I nodded, biting my lip and closing my eyes. I tried not to think about his hand splayed across my rib cage. The sting of the needle jarred my wayward thoughts. I didn’t cry out, squeezing my eyes shut tighter.
After a minute, the pain subsided. A numbing sensation traveled over my body from the wound. When I opened my eyes, Jude was watching me with dark intensity. My heart hammered against my ribcage. Surely, he could feel it.
The power of his gaze scattered every sarcastic remark from my brain. No one had ever looked at me so fiercely. Except maybe that demon in the alleyway. Only, that guy’s gaze had been edged with violence. Jude’s was more akin to hunger.
“What are you waiting for?” I asked hesitantly as well as a touch of fear, though I wasn’t quite sure what I was afraid of. I knew he had no intention of hurting me.
“I’m waiting for the anesthetic to take effect,” he said, still and observant.
“It’s working. You can start.” I tried to keep my words calm, steady.
The tension between us felt thick, tangible. His next move made it even worse. He unbuttoned my jeans and folded the flaps under to reveal the end of the cut more clearly. My heart decided she was done with this and just about stopped altogether. But then he leaned over and set to work like a surgeon—all focus and precision. I didn’t feel an ounce of pain. Now whether that was from the anesthetic or from the gallons of adrenaline flooding through my body, I’m not sure.
“These are dissolvable stitches. Keep the area clean, and it will heal well.”
I felt the slight tug as he tied off and snipped the ends. I wasn’t interested in stitches right now. I wanted answers.
