Page 174 of Deadfall

“I’m fine.”

“He was creeping around the landing upstairs,” I said smugly.

“Ah, old habits,” Seven nodded sagely.

Griffin leaned back in his chair and shrugged. “I’m fine.”

“Sure,” Seven still had a wary look in his eyes as he studied Griffin. “Keep an eye on him. He tends to do this—”

“Enough, or we’ll leave,” Griffin growled.

Seven groaned and threw up his hands. “Fine. But pick up all my cards first? Please?”

We spent the rest of the dark hours with Seven, picking up cards and then throwing them again in what turned into a heated, but good-natured competition. I’d just won after a grueling shoot out with Seven when the door opened.

Seven groaned. “It’s Mr. Party Pooper.”

The man wasn’t phased at all. “You’re supposed to be resting.”

“I feel great, Doc,” Seven said.

Doc looked like he’d seen and heard his fair share of men say similar things, because he completely ignored Seven’s protests as he switched out the IV and checked over Seven’s various stitches and bandages.

“Another few days—” Doc said, and Seven groaned dramatically.

I fought against the smile that threatened to break out at his antics. This had to be killing him to stay in bed. Doc tinkered with a few more things and poked and prodded Seven, until Seven had a scowl on his face and a glint in his eyes I recognized as him scheming. Doc seemed completely unperturbed and left when he was done without another word.

“Bet he’s the life of the party,” Seven muttered once the door shut. “I’m breaking out of here soon—I’m getting butt sores.”

“No, you’re not,” Griffin sighed.

“How would you know?” Seven insisted. “You been peeking at my ass?”

Griffin rolled his eyes, and together he and I painstakingly picked up all of the playing cards that littered the room.

83

GABRIEL

After we’d picked up all the cards, we heard something scratching at the door. When Emersyn opened the door to Fang, Seven eyed the beast warily and insisted it was definitely a wolf. Emersyn had just smiled softly and ruffled his ears, then left to go let him out into the backyard. We both watched her leave, and the room felt less full when she was gone. I thought back on the moment yesterday in the forest when I’d almost kissed her.

I probably would have if North hadn’t appeared at the treeline. Now, it was all I thought about. Would she have kissed me back? Or pushed me away? I’d never been this conflicted about a woman before. I usually just jumped first and asked questions later. But, Emersyn wasn’t like that—she’d had things taken from her for her entire life. I didn’t want to be like that. I didn’t want to remind her of any part of her nightmares.

“Jesus, what are you thinking about?” Seven asked.

I pulled my hands away from where I’d buried my face in them. I thought he’d been napping, but he looked very much awake as he looked at me skeptically.

“I almost kissed her,” I admitted.

His concern bled into a smirk. “Ah.”

“I’m just in my head about it,” I grumbled.

“Well, I think you should make it happen,” Seven said. “I’m giving you so much time to make a move,” he went on. “Cause once I get out of this bed, I’m making a move and I’d rather you did it first—”

“What are you talking about?”

“Just in case she stabs you or something,” Seven grinned.