“You’ll get blood on the seat,” I tell him.

Somehow, he manages a small smile. “Look at where you’re sitting.”

I shift forward to look down and … well. That doesn’t look pretty. “Please tell me this isn’t the first time you’ve been shot.”

“It’s the first time.”

“I don’t want to know what those stains are, do I?”

“Couldn’t tell you even if you did.”

Wonderful. I give myself a second to adjust to the reality that I’m sitting on a lot of someone else’s blood before I move stiffly back into place. “Nice car.”

“It’s reliable.”

His sleepy voice draws my attention back to him. I don’t like how gray his face is going or the way he’s got sweat still building at his hairline.

“How are you feeling?” I stupidly ask.

“Sore.”

“Yeah, but besides that.”

Finally, his eyes crack open, and he looks at me through amusement. “You’re loving this, aren’t you?”

“Surprisingly, not even a little bit.”

His eyebrows bunch together. “Really?”

“Yup. Weird, I know. You’d think I’d enjoy seeing my would-be killer turned protector turned hookup bleed out in front of my eyes. There’s obviously something wrong with me.”

His small smile slopes wider. “My charisma wins everyone over.”

“Well, you still have work to do with me, but at least we’ve reached the level where I don’t actively want you dead.”

“Big praises.” His eyes fall closed again.

We’ve left the city behind and are speeding our way through residential streets. Perry’s filling out the whole seat and part of the middle, making an effort not to bump his shoulder as we take the corners.

My gaze drops from his wound to run over his bicep, down his hairy forearm, all the way to the ridiculous bracelet, and then onto his wide hand. I’m not sure what it is about him that I’m tuned in to, but knowing he’s in pain doesn’t sit right with me.

“Do you need a hospital? If you do, I’ll make him take us there.”

Perry’s warm brown eyes peep open again, and he studies my face for a moment. “Nah, I’m good. Besides, all the guys dig battle scars, right? I won’t be able to keep you off me.”

I choke on, well, I don’t even fucking know, but that was the last thing I expected Perry to say. “I know it’s been a long day, but you definitely came on to me last night.”

“I thought I might die,” he says like that’s some kind of defense.