Born of Fire

Syn licked his suddenly dry lips as he watched her work. It took every piece of control he possessed not to pull her into his arms and sample her lips. He put his hands on the edge of the counter and held on so tight that his knuckles cut against his flesh, and the counter bit into his palms.

This was an even worse torture than anything the Rits had ever used on him. Hell, a few hours of this and he’d be begging for mercy.

She looked up at him and he saw the desire burning deep in the golden depths of her eyes. His control shattering, he dipped his head to hers.

Instead of fleeing, she leaned forward and then, just as he thought he’d have his taste of heaven, she pulled back.

“All done,” she said, her voice strained.

His body on fire, he couldn’t bring himself to thank her. At the moment, it was all he could do not to curse her. Surely, unwrapped cracked ribs would have been a lot less painful than the unsatisfied heat that stabbed his groin.

She glanced down briefly at his tight pants where he was sure his arousal was standing at full salute, and her face turned bright red.

Without a word, she spun on her heels and took off for the bathroom.

“Don’t take too long,” he murmured, trying to shift himself into a more comfortable spot. “I’m definitely going to need a cold shower to stamp out this fire.”

Picking up his glass of water, Syn considered dumping it inside his pants to help cool his lust. Instead, he took a deep drink and went to the front to look through the backpacks and to inspect his boots.

As he searched their gear, he smiled at Digger’s thoroughness. There was nothing he’d left out. When it came to thievery, the old man was the best in the business and knew what any good filch would need to confront any ordeal.

Grateful for that fact, Syn set the packs aside, then pulled on his boots and shirt.

The door opened. Digger paused with an armload of groceries. “Nice to see you up and about.”

“It’s nice to be seen up and about.” Syn grabbed the bags from him and took them to the kitchen.

“I was hoping I’d get back before you got up. Your girlfriend said she didn’t know how to cook, so I was thinking I’d get you something solid for your ribs.”

Syn laughed. “I’m afraid you’re too late. She already poisoned me.”

“Well, when a woman looks that good, she don’t need to cook, now does she?”

Agreeing with him, Syn set the bags down on the kitchen counter. “Did you hear any talk while you were out?”

“Naw.” Digger pulled the groceries out of the bags and put them away. “I put in a few inquiries, but the word so far is silent.”

Syn rubbed his neck. “Yeah, well, there were two guys on the street yesterday who made me, and Vik said he’d heard some things. I figure it’s just a matter of time before they gather up enough courage or alcohol to come after me.”

“Damn pity when a man can’t even have a minute’s peace.” Digger looked up at him with an indescribable stare. “But then I guess you’re used to that.”

Yes, he was. Syn helped him put the food away.

Silence fell between them until Digger cleared his throat. As Syn turned around, he noted the sudden awkwardness. “What is it?”

Digger pulled out a chopping block and knife. He unwrapped a package of cheese. “I know it’s been you who’s been stuffing my account.”

“What account?”

Digger thumped the knife down on the cheese, slicing a thin piece. “Now don’t you treat me like a fool, boy. Ain’t no one else who’d bother. I know it’s been you all these years. And I know why you sent Vik to me. I want to know why.”

Syn leaned back against the counter. He started to lie, but why? The truth was, he loved his uncle. He always had. “I owe you.”

Digger scoffed. “You don’t owe me nothing.”

“That’s not true. You got me out of prison.”

“Yeah, but I helped put you there. If I’d been a man, I’d have taken you and Talia away from your da when your mom left. I should never have allowed the two of you to stay with him.”

“You didn’t know what he was capable of where we were concerned.”

“I should have.”

Syn sighed. “Yeah, well, if ifs and buts were candy and nuts, then we’d never go hungry.”

Applause sounded. Syn looked to the doorway to see Shahara standing there. She wore the same black armored outfit as he, but he had to admit it looked much better on her.

“I’ll have to remember that.”

Digger looked up. “Sheridan here tells me that you tried to poison him.”

She cast an accusing glare at Syn.

Before he could respond, Vik flew into the window and whistled so harshly, it made all three of them flinch.

“Vik!” Syn snapped. “Stop it.”

“Stop my ass. A group of vigilantes just crossed the street. They’re coming for you and your girlfriend so you better run or get splattered.”

Shahara cast a frantic look at Syn whose face was impassive. “What do we do?”

Syn went for the packs and slung one over his shoulder before tossing the other at her.

Digger locked the front door. “I can hold them off for a few minutes.”