Page 84 of Bleed with Me

“Happens when you throw someone down the stairs and then hit him with a gun,” I lectured, but a grin was plastered on my face.

“Zyon?” He lifted a questioning brow.

“He briefed me.” I looked up at the strong branches swaying in a light breeze, and saw stars shining above our heads.

“And?”

“And nothing.” I shrugged, still observing the pieces of sky. “I can check some things if you need help, but I don’t have time to—”

“You’re the best negotiator,” Malin interrupted me, his voice rough at the edges. “I hate that shit. My head throbs just thinking about it. They talk so fucking much.”

I burst out laughing at his disgusted expression. Seriously, in my entire life, I hadn’t met a single person who hated talking and any social contact with strangers more than Malin. He tolerated his family. I chose to believe he loved us in his own unique way. But others? Ooooh, fuck. He would strangle them just for breathing too loudly.

“Is this your way of asking me to return?” I teased, even when we both knew it wasn’t possible. My life was at the hospital. Still, I could cut back to part-time work with them.

Something in my chest lit up. Yeah, I fucking missed this.

“I never wanted you to leave,” he admitted, glaring at Julien. “Disposing of bodies with those shit heads is torture. I do it alone mostly. And I don’t even have time to hack for fun.” He pouted. Actually pouted. I almost fell off the log.

What the fuck was happening today? First Zyon, now him!

“Remember when I hacked into the FBI and mixed our father’s file with Al Capone’s?” His lips stretched into a devious grin. “That was fun. A hunt? An investigation? Killings? Also fun. But if I have to go to another meeting with Zyon and some motherfucker…”

He didn’t get to finish because I squeezed his shoulder. His eyes narrowed slightly, as if he was weighing whether it would be okay to break my hand.

“You talk too much, sunshine,” I said, directing his attention to my face. “Is it that bad?”

“You have no idea.” He sighed, casting me a pleading look he'd learned from me. For a second, it was like glancing in the mirror. “If you ever tell anyone I said this, I’ll deny everything, but,” he shook his head in annoyance, “I miss you there.”

Whatever I wanted to say died on my tongue when a low, painful groan broke through the quiet. Both of us stilled. Julien shifted in the mud, his fingers twitching before his whole body followed, jerking weakly as consciousness dragged him back. Bluff lifted his head, ears pricking, a low rumble vibrating in the air.

“W-where…” His voice came out hoarse, and he swallowed hard, panic bleeding into his tone. “Where am I?”

No answer. Malin pushed himself off the trunk, his posture shifting. Not dramatic, not rushed, just… different.

Bluff rose with him, his attention locked, waiting for a command. I followed, brushing dirt from my hands as I stepped closer.

“P-please…” Julien choked, his gaze jumping between us. “I don’t… I didn’t…”

I glanced at Malin, but he didn’t look back. His attention belonged to our prey.

“Run,” he hissed, pointing with his gun into the woods. “It’s your last chance.”

Julien didn’t move. For a second, I thought he didn’t understand. Then something broke. He lurched to his feet, nearly collapsing again before catching himself on a tree, and ran.

Branches tore at his skin as he crashed through the undergrowth. We gave him three seconds, exchanged one look, and split apart. Malin took Bluff with him, waiting for the right moment to unleash his raw power.

The familiar adrenaline rush through my veins made me giddy. I pulled out my knives, catching Malin out of the corner of my eye just a couple of feet away.

He smirked and sent Bluff after Julien. Not more than ten seconds later, a gut-wrenching scream echoed through the forest. Malin whistled, calling the beast back.

“Five hundred that you won’t hit his left knee,” he challenged, his usually emotionless eyes gleaming with depravity.

“Watch and learn, sunshine.” I winked at him and angled toward the sound. The path revealed itself right before me. Broken twigs, disturbed leaves, the faint metallic scent of blood hanging in the damp air, and Julien’s suppressed sobs.

The knife burned in my hand, the demon screaming to make the man pay. I couldn’t agree more.

“Please…” Julien’s crying voice carried through the woods. “Please, I… Aaaargh!”