Chapter 118

Murphy POV

I stepped into the room and shut the door behind me. The smell was the first smell that met my nostrils, with some mashed potatoes and stew splattered on the wall, and glass from the water lay on the floor. I frowned and shook my head.

“What a waste,” I said. “Sure you’re not hungry, sweetheart? Looks like somebody went through a lot of trouble for you.”

Serena stood stiff near the bed. Her chin was up, but I could see the tremble in her hands. She didn’t answer and I dragged the chair from the corner and sat down, leaning back with a lazy grin. I loved moments like this, watching them try to look brave while they shook inside.

“Sit,” I said, motioning at the bed.

Her eyes darted to the door. She thought she could make a run for it, and I laughed.

“Go ahead,” I said coldly. “Try it. If you think you can plough through squads of armed men, be my guest.”

She hesitated, then sat on the edge of the bed while her eyes burned hol