Chapter 13 · Blood-Stained Lies

"You've been lying since the dump, haven't you?" Lila slammed both hands into his chest and he didn't even rock back. "Don't you stand there and pretend you don't know what that mark is."

Cain caught her wrists before she could hit him again. His fingers were hot. Too hot. "Let me explain."

"Explain what? That you've had my family's crest burned into your arm this whole time?" Her voice cracked and she twisted hard. "You let me think I was saving you. You let me bleed for you."

"I didn't know what it meant until last night," he said. His grip tightened just enough that she couldn't pull away. "Lila, look at me."

"No. Don't do that. Don't do the voice." She jerked her chin up anyway and her eyes were wet and furious. "You remember, don't you? You remember my father."

His jaw locked. A pulse jumped there. "I remember flashes. Not names. Not him."

"Bullshit." She yanked one hand free and shoved at his shoulder. "You flinch every time I say Hive. You knew that symbol before I showed you. I saw your face."

"I saw it in a tank," he said, low and fast.