Chapter 14 · Debt Comes Knocking

Derek's apartment smelled like burnt plastic and old takeout. Ryan kicked the door open and found him halfway out the window.

"Don't."

Derek froze, one leg over the sill. His face was bruised, purple blooming under his left eye, and his hands were shaking. "Ryan. Shit. I can explain—"

"Get back inside."

Derek climbed back in slow, like he was afraid Ryan would shoot him if he moved too fast. Maybe he should be. Ryan stepped into the apartment and let the door swing shut behind him. The lock was busted. Someone had been here already.

"They came for you?" Ryan asked.

Derek nodded. He was wearing the same jacket he'd had on two nights ago at the cage, but now it was torn at the shoulder and there was blood on the collar. Not his blood, Ryan guessed. Derek didn't look hurt enough for that much red.

"Who?"

"Natasha's people. Two of them. Big guys." Derek backed up until his spine hit the wall. "They wanted to know where you were. I told them I didn't know."

Ryan's jaw tightened. "And?"

"And they didn't believe me." Derek's voice cracked.