She glanced back at Syn. “He has a lot of pain in the bathroom. He won’t let me check on him and he keeps the door locked whenever he goes. But I know it’s bad. It takes him a long time, and when he comes out, he’s always shaking and pale. Usually clammy, too. And very weak. It takes him at least half an hour before he’s moving freely again.”

Sadness darkened Syn’s eyes. “That unfortunately isn’t going to change. They messed him up really good internally. We’re damn lucky to still have him with us.” He swept his gaze around the tattered room, then flashed a wicked, lopsided grin at her. “But at least the front plumbing seems to be in excellent working condition. I’m sure that’s a relief to him.”

Those words mortified her. She wanted to crawl under something and hide.

Fortunately, Darling finally came out of the bathroom, wearing nothing but a towel around his lean hips. He rubbed a second one against his damp hair. “I see you two met Zarya. Did they introduce themselves to you, love?”

“They did, indeed.” She looked up at Darling as he paused by her side. “I’ll leave you alone to talk in private. Do you want me to order you something to eat?”

His eyes glowing with warmth, Darling gave her an evil grin that rivaled Syn’s. “I had my breakfast already.” Wrapping one possessive arm around her, he leaned down and gave her a kiss that instantly set her on fire.

Maris cleared his throat. “Should we come back at a later time?”

Ignoring the question, Darling pulled away and met Maris’s arched brow. “Sweetie, will you please make sure she gets something to eat for me? I know her stomach was growling earlier.”

“Absolutely. We’ll be next door if you need us.” When Maris went to pick her up to carry her, she stopped him.

“My ankle’s better. I’m not even wrapping it now.”

He looked to Darling for a confirmation.

“You can argue with her if you want. I always lose. Maybe you’ll have better luck. I’m pretty sure she likes you better anyway.”

Maris laughed, then offered her his arm. “Come, my lady. Let’s go gossip.”

Darling waited until Maris had closed the door to Zarya’s room before he faced his friends. He draped his towel over his shoulder.

Hauk kept opening and closing his mouth like a fish out of water. “I am so confused. That was a woman, right?”

“Yes.”

Syn scratched at his ear. “The same woman who was in the room with you when we rescued you? The leader of the Resistance that tortured the hell out of you? And you’re paying for her sister to be educated?”

“Again, yes, yes, and yes.”

Hauk turned around slowly, looking at the mess in the room. “But… you’re gay.”

Darling snorted. “Apparently, I’m not.”

“Since when?” Syn asked.

“Birth.”

Grimacing, Hauk pressed his hand against his temple as if trying to make sense out of it all was giving him a vicious headache. “You are totally screwing with my head, and you’re doing it on purpose, aren’t you?”