NADINE'S P.O.V
Caine's voice sent a shot of relief down my spine.
I had never felt so relieved to hear his voice before. I opened my mouth to scream out his na but the girl only held her knife tighter against my throat.
"Scream and I'll gut you like a fucking fish," she warned. "Where is he?"
"I don't know," I admitted. I wasn't sure were exactly in the house he was as of this mont. "Look, we don't want to hurt you."
"I don't believe you. Everyone wants sothing. You were watching in the supermarket."
"We were trying to shop for ourselves," I explained. "We can work together. We can get out of this together."
I heard Caine call out for , his voice was softer now, almost as if he didn't want to risk anyone overhearing. I could hear the tone of worry creeping into his voice and I knew without a doubt that he was getting closer.
"If he finds us like this, he will kill you. Let go and we can work together. I know you're scared but neither of us will kill you. We can help. You're young, I know you don't know how to do this-"
She snorted. "I'm twenty five, bitch. I've been doing this since the outbreak started and I have protected myself and my brother. Give one good reason why I shouldn't kill you and run."
"We'll help you find safety. I have been in a bunker since the monsters first arrived. I just got separated from the others. We will help you find safety and I will make sure you are allowed in."
Her hand wavered just a little. "You will?"
I nodded as best as I could with the knife still at my throat. I could feel a burn where she held the knife, I knew she had already nicked but I didn't want to make it worse.
It was wrong to lie, I knew that, but I didn't care right now seeing as my life was on the line. All I needed was for her to let go of , I could figure out the chanics of getting away from her later.
"Fine," she dropped her knife just as the kitchen door opened.
Caine walked in, his hand on his hip where his own dagger lay. He took in the scene in front of him with wary and hard eyes.
"Hey," I managed out, my throat dry and my voice shaky. "Look who I found."
For a long mont, Caine didn't say a word, he just ran his eyes over my body as if trying to search for any obvious signs of injury. I opened my mouth to speak but he held up a hand to stop and gestured for to co closer.
I felt my legs move before I even realized what was happening and as soon as I was within reach, his fingers wrapped around my neck, tugging to him.
"Everything is fine," I assured him. "They didn't realize we were here and broke in."
"What happened, princess, and I want the truth this ti."
"Caine-" I began but he stopped when his thumb ran over a particularly sore spot on my throat.
"She cut you right here," he whispered before looking up to face the girl. "If you want to threaten soone, don't leave a mark."
"Caine, please don't-"
He ignored completely, softly pushing until I was hidden behind him. I peeked over his shoulder at the girl, getting a perfect view of her face right now. She did look her age actually, it was just the obvious malnutrition that had thinking she was younger. She had the sa deep brown eyes as her brother.
"I could kill you both and leave your bodies out for the monsters to have."
The girl didn't even look fazed. "You could, but it would be too close for comfort because they will hear us scream and we will all die."
"I know more than enough ways to kill you where you can't scream," the corner of his lips curled up in a scary smile. "Try again."
For a fraction of a second, I saw sothing akin to fear in her eyes. It was almost as if she had just registered the fact that Caine was a threat. I was no more than a ans to an end, I had shown sympathy when I first t her. She knew I would hesitate to kill but Caine- he would kill her and step over her dead body without the bat of an eyelash.
"We don't want any trouble," she said finally. "I'm Irene and that's Max. Your girlfriend said she could help us."
"I'm not-" I began but Caine stopped .
"What exactly did she say?"
"She said we could find a bunker for safety. I don't want any trouble, I just want my brother safe, please."
Caine glanced over at as if silently asking if I was insane before turning to them. "I can't assure you safety, not when you broke in and held a knife to her fucking throat."
I watched as Irene slowly dropped the knife in her hands to the ground. With the edge of her boots, she pushed it over to Caine.
"Please," her voice cracked. "I will do anything. I don't care if you take him and not . I just need him safe."
For a long mont, Caine said nothing, he just stared at her and her knife on the ground. I thought he would refuse but he must have seen sothing in her because he took a step back.
"Take your weapon. I have no interest in protecting soone who is unard."
"Thank you-"
"Don't thank yet. Find another house to sleep in. You're not staying here."
"But-"
"You survived this long, didn't you? Survive one more night."
Irene's cheeks burned a bright red with indignation but she didn't protest. She just nodded and grabbed her brother's hand, the both of them exiting the way they ca.
Once they were gone, Caine slamd the door shut and barricaded it.
I hadn't realized how fast my heart was beating until they left and the room was drenched in silence.
"Fuck," I whispered. "That was terrifying. She is so small and yet-"
"Are you crazy?" Caine turned to , effectively shutting up. "Didn't you think to call for the mont you saw them? You could have been killed."
"I didn't realize-"
"You never seem to realize," he stepped up to .
I wasn't scared of Caine and yet, I found myself backing up until my spine hit the wall. "Caine, stop."
"No. You have no sense of self-preservation and I am fucking sick of it."
He was standing so close that with every breath I took, my chest brushed his. I could sll him, could feel him all around .
"Caine," I began slowly but he didn't move. "Rowan-"
That seed to snap sothing in him because he swallowed and took a step back. "Go upstairs. I'll be there soon to clean up your throat."
"But-"
"Just, go."
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