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he said, gesturing toward his own shoulder. “Does it have meaning to you?”
    Fen flushed. Had he been the one who’d removed her bloody clothes? But she was not going to think about that, about him touching her, seeing her naked. Nope, nope, definitely not thinking about that.
    “I apologize,” he murmured, dipping his head. “I had no intention of causing you embarrassment.”
    “It’s fine,” she said stiffly, not sure whether he was referring to the present moment or the morning. “No big.”
    “Most of our attention was directed to Luken at the time.”
    “That’s, yes…” Fen looked away, her cheeks cooling. Luken. That must be his brother’s name. Should she apologize for almost getting him killed? No, Kaio wasn’t the one she owed an apology. “That’s understandable.” She lifted her own hand to her shoulder, brushing it against her neck. “My tattoo, this tattoo, is a phoenix.”
    “And its meaning to you?”
    “It’s nothing. It’s cheesy, really.” She actually loved her tattoo, the elegance and grace of the outspread wings on the fiery bird. But this guy didn’t seem like the tattoo type and she didn’t want to continue embarrassing herself in front of him.
    “It’s quite lovely,” Kaio said. “And a beautiful symbol. Rebirth and renewal, new life rising out of darkness. An interesting choice, though, for one so young.”
    “One so young?” She couldn’t keep the sarcasm out of her voice. He couldn’t be more than early thirties himself, maybe even late twenties. “I’m twenty-one, grandpa. Old enough.”
    He blinked at her, his dark lashes dropping over his bright eyes, before he said, “Of course.”
    She couldn’t detect any trace of a smile on his face, but the words felt somehow mocking anyway. “And how old are you?”
    “Old enough.” Now the amusement was clear.

Coat Not Needed

    Fen scowled at him, but before she could respond, one of the medical attendants interrupted them.
    “Sir?” the man said. “Luke is awake and asking to meet the young lady. May she come back and visit with him?”
    Kaio looked at her but Fen was already unfastening her seatbelt, more easily than the first time she’d tried, and standing. She needed to thank Luke or Luken, whatever his name was, and she didn’t mind the chance to get away from his uncomfortable brother.
    Fen followed the attendant the few short steps down the aisle, past a row of seats, and paused by the stretcher. She crouched, avoiding the dripping IV line and other, more mysterious, equipment.
    “Hey,” she said.
    Up close and with time to look, he was older than she’d thought, at least sixteen or seventeen.
    “Hey,” he whispered back. “You’re alive. I’m glad.”
    “Ditto.” Fen laughed shakily.
    His eyes, a greenish brown, reminded her of her hallucination, of the green blood she’d seen dripping from between his fingers, and her eyes drifted to his chest. He was bandaged, covered in blankets, no bloody traces showing. But of course it was the drugs she’d been on and the lack of light in the alley that made his blood appear green anyway. “There was a lot of blood. I didn’t think either of us was going to make it.”
    His hand fluttered toward his torso. “I should have been more careful.”
    “Probably, yeah. Not a great idea to confront the guy with the gun.”
    “No.” A faint smile crossed his face. His eyes were still focused on hers, his look intent.
    “Next time, try 911.”
    “911?” he asked.
    “Emergency services? The people who send the cops and the ambulances?”
    “Ah.” His eyelids dropped. Where was he from that he didn’t know what 911 was? His English was perfect, not even the hint of an accent his brother had. “I’ll do that in the future.”
    “Are you planning to make a habit out of rescuing girls in trouble?” Fen said, keeping her voice light. “Shouldn’t you have learned your lesson?”
    His eyes opened again, and he looked startled. “I could do no