Iniquitous (The Marked #3)(16)

I couldn’t help but laugh. “In case I forget to tell you later, thank you.”

“For what, love?”

“For this. For everything, really.”

“Well, I’ll be damned.” His lips pulled up into a lopsided grin. “Never thought I’d see the day.”

“Don’t get used to it.” I adjusted my top and sank back in my chair. “And we’re still not friends.”

He laughed, the sound of it completely thrilling and exhilarating to me.

I looked back up at him, more serious this time. “All kidding aside, I don’t think I could’ve survived this place if it wasn’t for you.” I shook my head and corrected myself. “I know I wouldn’t have survived this place without you.”

“You would’ve found a way, angel. You always do. Besides, don’t thank me yet.” He leaned forward and propped his elbows on the table. “There’s still the business of breaking you out of here to contend with.”

“And taking out Engel,” I added pointedly, matching his advance. The abrupt movement made my welts want to scream out with pain, but I stuffed it back down, not wanting Dominic to see the agony on my face.

“Running isn’t enough this time,” I said, inhaling sharply. “We need to put an end to this once and for all.”

“Of course.” He nodded, knowing exactly what I meant. “All in due time, love.”

“Due time? I don’t have due time, Dominic. I have no time. I’m ready now.” I knew we couldn’t rush this thing and it had to be done right, but I wanted out of this place. I wanted Engel dead, and for good this time.

“You’re in no condition to go up against anyone right now, angel. You need to heal first. Take this as an opportunity to recover while we test out the strings of your newfound freedom. If everything goes well, we can plan our next move.”

Before I could get another protest out, Dominic held up his hand and then slumped back in his chair just as the swinging doors opened.

A lean brunette with short, curly hair walked into the room carrying a serving platter in her hands. Her emerald green eyes were fixed on the floor as she walked around the table to where we were seated. Without uttering a word to either of us, she placed a glass of thick, red liquid in front of Dominic and then set down a covered dish in front of me.

I couldn’t help but feel sorry for her. I knew she was a prisoner here, just like me. And just like me, I knew she was being held against her will.

“Thank you, Lucy.”

She bowed her head to Dominic and then exited the room the same way she came in.

My heart and body sank. “How long has she been here?” I asked, wondering if she had family back home missing her.

“I couldn’t say,” he said indifferently as though it didn’t matter to him in the slightest.

“How can you just sit there like that?”

He arched his eyebrow at me. “Like what?”

“Like it doesn’t matter! Like she doesn’t matter.”

“She doesn’t. Not to me,” he said crudely. “My only concern right now is you, and frankly, that should be your only concern too. You’re not exactly in the position to help anyone. You can barely help yourself.”

Ouch.

His expression softened at my reaction. “That may have come out—”

“Don’t,” I said, stopping him from going any further. I spent most of my days being unconscious on the floor of a dungeon. Like seriously, what the hell was I going to do for her? “You’re right.”

He looked like he wanted to say something else on the matter, but then decided against it. “Come now, angel. It’s time to eat,” he said as he lifted the lid from my plate and revealed a perfectly grilled fillet of sole and a side serving of perfectly steamed vegetables. “You need to rebuild your strength while you can.”

Everything but the dish in front of me disappeared from my consciousness. My mouth watered as I inhaled the smell. I didn’t even like fish, but I was so hungry I probably would’ve eaten an entire whale had I been given the chance.

I snatched up my fork and glanced over at Dominic just as he picked up his own dinner and took a sip.

My fork froze mid-air. “Is that human blood?” I asked, glaring at him.

“Well it certainly isn’t roadkill.”

I dropped my fork on the table.

“What?” he asked innocently.

“Seriously? I’m not going to just sit here and eat while you drink that!”

His brows pulled together in confusion. Or amusement. It was always hard to tell with Dominic. “I drink from you at least twice a day, love. What exactly is the difference?”

“The difference is consent, Dominic. I’m a willing participant. Whoever’s blood is in that glass is not.” I crossed my arms and sat back in my chair.

“Surely you aren’t serious right now.”

I stared at him, lips pursed.

“But I’m hungry,” he said in a tone that sounded a lot like a whine.

“Too. Freaking. Bad.” There was no way I was letting this one go. I might not have been able to help any of these donor girls at the moment, but I certainly wasn’t going to be complicit in their abuse.

After a brief standstill that he knew he wouldn’t win, he finally lowered his glass to the table and growled through his teeth at me. “Are you happy now?”