“It’s a little early for beddy-bye, isn’t it?” I heard Wheeler ask.

“I’m surprised you aren’t hunched over in agony from a spaghetti overdose,” I said with a snort.

“I’m still hungry.”

A shiver rolled over me, and when he moved into sight, I flew up and gripped the covers. “I thought you left.”

Ben smiled and tucked his hands in his pockets. “I had a little time to kill. So how about that drink? They keep it well stocked in here. Whiskey, vodka, even wine coolers. Maybe fried chicken wasn’t what you needed.”

“Ben, get out.”

“Whoa,” he said, holding up his hands. “Let’s not get confused as to what’s going on here.”

I flipped my hair back. “I’m in bed, and you’re uninvited. Which part do you think I’m confused about?”

“I’m just offering a drink to take the edge off. Maybe another time. Didn’t mean to ruffle your feathers.”

The door suddenly opened and my chest constricted. If it was Reno coming with news on the trace, this was about to get awkward.

“And the plot thickens,” a voice said with disdain.

Even worse, it was Wheeler.

Ben turned around. “Just on my way out. Did you want to tag-team or something?” When he vanished into the darkness, I heard a struggle. They were throwing punches, and something fell over and broke.

“Get out of here!” I shouted, standing on my feet. It felt as if I had a spotlight on my white baby-doll nightie.

“You’re going to regret that,” one of them said, but I couldn’t tell which.

“Maybe I’ll cut you off,” the other growled. “It’s time you bail your own ass out.”

“Go fuck yourself, since no one else will.”

The door slammed and then I had some peace.

“Hello?” I said.

A lamp switched on from the right side of the room. Wheeler crouched down and pulled a can of soda from the short fridge. He held it to his face and turned around, maintaining his distance across the room.

I approached him and pulled the can away. “Here, let me see.”

Wheeler averted his eyes, and I lightly touched the drop of blood on his cheek. “It’s just a small cut.” I ran a thin towel under the faucet and then pressed it to his upper cheekbone, right below his left eye. Most Shifters wouldn’t shift to heal minor injuries because it angered our animal if they couldn’t stay out. “Hold still for a moment. What did you come in here for?”

He turned the can of soda in his hand, looking down at it. “I haven’t seen you eat all day. Maybe I don’t want your panther getting hungry.”

“Oh. For a fleeting moment, I thought maybe you cared.” I stepped closer and peeked beneath the cloth. “Just another minute and it’ll clot.”

“Why don’t you drink this while you’re waiting?”

“I’m afraid all those bubbles will give me a headache. Caffeine on an empty stomach will keep me up all night.”