EMBER’S POV
“That’s the second time someone’s said that to me this week. I’m starting to find it insulting.”
“It wasn’t meant as an insult.” She shifts slightly in the bed, grimacing. “You’re right. I’ve been bleeding for about four hours now.”
The casual admission steals my breath.
“Four hours. You waited four hours to get help. You could have died.”
“But I didn’t.” Her smile is sharp despite the pallor. “And now I have something you need.”
Of course she does. Because Rayana Cross doesn’t do anything without an angle, not even bleeding.
“What happened?” I ask. “The real story, not whatever performance you gave Knox.”
She studies me for a long moment, weighing something. Then she settles back against the pillows like she’s preparing to tell a story.
“I couldn’t sleep earlier. Canc
