Chapter 164

The rhythmic, sterile click of the lock turning under my fingers sends a physical jolt of static straight down my spine. I stay pressed against the heavy wood of the hospital room door for a second, my palm still resting on the brass handle, letting the absolute absurdity of what I am doing settle in my chest. My father gave me exactly twenty minutes to get my ass back to the mansion. Zeke is pacing around the corridors out there somewhere, looking for any excuse to rip Eli’s life open. The entire building smells like bleach, rubbing alcohol, and imminent ruin.

​And yet, when I turn back around and look at the man lying in that bed, my breath hitches.

​Eli is watching me with those heavy, dark eyes, his shoulders propped up against the pillows, looking entirely too self-assured for someone who was literally bleeding out on the grass a day ago.

​I let a slow, wicked smile curl the corners of my mouth as I push off the door.

​“You look entirely too pleased w