Flanagan returns, wearing light suede trousers but no shirt, his hair tied up into a messy knot. He carries a pile of folded clothing to the bed and drops them onto the furs. “Here,” he says. “I had these prepared specially. But you may wish to shower first.”

A hot shower, finally. Though I can’t have gone two nights without a wash because I don’t feel that sweaty. Which means what? Flanagan washing me? Shit. I don’t even wanna go there. “Sounds good. Does that include the chain?”

He digs into his pocket and pulls out a key. “Come.” He indicates the edge of the bed.

I bury the “I’m not your fucking pet” retort. I need this chain off. Best to keep the cheek level down to a minimum for now. I haven’t forgotten my best-behavior plan. I shuffle across the furs on my knees, swing my legs around, and sit on the side of the bed. All while keeping my hands fixed to my bits.

When I look up at Flanagan, he’s grinning.

“What?” I ask with a scowl.

“Your shyness. You’ve been naked with me since Wednesday evening. I’ve washed you, fed you, helped you pee, and slept beside you. You accepted my care gladly. Yet now you hide from me.”

My eyes widen because I only heard one thing in that list. “Helped me pee?”

His grin broadens. “You were weakened by nerve damage. You couldn’t stand without my help and had a permanent erection. You needed my assistance.”

I grimace and shake my head. Flanagan helping me take a leak. Nope. Can’t cope with that image. “Just get the chain off.”

He steps closer, the fierceness returning to his eyes. He towers over me and cups my jaw to raise my face. I try to pull away, but he’s holding me too firmly. “Listen to me, Michael. Blackriver is gated, warded, and surrounded on two sides by the Border Wood. You do not want to run into that forest. You will die there. If somehow you make it past the wards, I can follow your scent with ease for miles. I run faster than a race car at top speed. I will catch you.”

Faster than a race car?

I give him a sour glare. “I have no intention of escaping.” I add yet in my mind because as soon as I’ve learned everything I need to know, I am gone from this joint the first chance I get.

He must see something in my expression because his eyes narrow. “I want to believe you. But I’m not sure I do.”

I huff. “I have my own reasons for wanting to stay.”

“Hmmm. You need to learn control of your Flame. Find out what exactly you are. And then?”