oice sharp with urgency. She took a

ker of wary distrust in his e

e meant no harm. "Don't worry, I know some b

in silence, his

e of water and a packet of clean tissues. "Let me at least clean it fo

ing a stiff, almost imperceptible nod. He

around the gash on his side. It wasn't deep, but it

n and the faint outlines of older, faded scars. A fain

spital," she said quiet

low rasp when he fin

s unkempt hair, and the exhausted slump of his shoulde

r. He had gotten hurt saving her.

bling out before she could second-guess them. "If you don't mind,

s dark eyes studying h

is intense stare but pushed on.

a long moment before

d. "Come with me.

er hand to him

rast to his own, which was calloused and grimy. He didn't take

his agreement in the

been holding. She led the way, with Ace following

ent building. The light in the hallway was broken, plunging the stairwell into da

light. "It's small," she said, feeling a pang

ny, but neat and clean, with the fai

ingle chair as she knelt and pulle

ency, cleaning the wound with anti

ough the dirt, his features were sharp and well-defined-a strong jaw, high cheekbones,

eaning back in the chair, his eyes closed. He

an impulsive question escaped her lips.

yes, just gave a sli

n the single bed, then to the worn-out sof

id, taking a deep breath, "you can.