Chapter 15 · Damon's Deal

Damon was waiting at the mine entrance when we crawled out.

He didn't help. Just stood there with his arms crossed, watching Cade haul me up the last few feet of rubble. My palms were shredded. Blood dripped down my wrists. Cade's shirt was torn half off, dust caked in the sweat on his neck.

"Took you long enough," Damon said.

Cade didn't answer. He kept one hand locked around my elbow, steadying me. I could feel his pulse hammering against my skin. Mine wasn't much better.

"Mine collapsed." Cade's voice came out flat. "We're fine. Move."

Damon didn't move.

"You went down there alone with her." His eyes flicked to me, then back to Cade. "After everything I said. After I told you she's a risk."

"She's my mate." Cade's grip on my arm tightened. "Back off."

"Your mate." Damon laughed, but it wasn't friendly. "Right. And what were you two doing down there? Having a romantic walk through a death trap?"

I should've said something. Played it off. But my head was still spinning from what I'd seen. The brand on Cade's wrist. My father's letter.