Chapter 10
Blaze
"Ugh, Christ!"
I wake up with a little bit of pain shooting through my body, and my head a little light.
I blink my eyes open and stare at the ceiling. It’s clean and white—too fancy for any hospital I know of. My chest tightens. Where the fuck am I?
Sitting up slowly, I take in my surroundings. The bed’s softer than anything I’ve slept on in years. The room? Big, luxurious, and smells like expensive cologne. Definitely not my shitty apartment or the alley I passed out in.
What the fuck happened? Did I die and somehow end up in a penthouse version of hell?
I rub my temples, trying to recall something—anything—but my head pounds like someone’s using it as a fucking drum.
“How do you feel?”
The voice cuts through my thoughts like a knife. I freeze, recognizing that smooth, arrogant tone. I turn my head and, lo and behold, there he is. Carlo.
Sitting there all smug, wearing a suit that probably costs more than my monthly rent. His hair slicked back, except for a strand falling over his face in that effortless, "I’m better than you" way. I can suddenly see sparkles around him, okay maybe that's in my head.
"Are you shitting me right now?" I mutter, narrowing my eyes at him.
He grins, leaning back in his chair. “You don’t have to look so shocked. I’m no angel, although I am devilishly handsome.”
Arrogant bastard. He’s sitting there acting like he saved the fucking world, and I’m just trying to figure out how I ended up here instead of bleeding out in that alley.
“What the hell am I doing here?” I snap, ignoring the way my head spins.
He shrugs like it’s nothing. “You were a mess. Someone had to step in before you ended up as street art. You’re welcome.”
I glare at him, my blood boiling. I hate the fact that he’s the one who saw me at my lowest. He’s probably enjoying every second of this.
“Don’t flatter yourself,” I mutter, looking around for my phone. I need to check the time. I’ve got bills to pay, and work doesn’t stop just because I got my ass handed to me.
“You slept for two days,” Carlo says, his voice calm and matter-of-fact, like he’s talking about the fucking weather.
“Two what?!” The words fly out before I can stop them.
He smirks. “Guess you needed the rest. But hey, no need to thank me. I know it’s hard for you to admit when you need help.”
“I didn’t fucking ask for your help,” I snap, my fingers curling into fists. “And don’t get any ideas. I’m not some damsel in distress.”
Carlo chuckles, leaning forward with that infuriating smirk still plastered on his face. “Oh, but that would make me your prince charming. You should be flattered.”
I roll my eyes, resisting the urge to punch him. “You’re so full of shit.”
Before I can tear into him, the door bursts open, and Felix rushes in like a goddamn hurricane.
“Blaze!” he shouts, rushing to my side. “You’re awake!”
He’s all over me, checking my face, running his hands over my bruises like he’s a fucking doctor. When his fingers brush the cut on my lip, I flinch.
“Damn, man. They really fucked you up,” Felix mutters, his voice laced with concern.
“Yeah, no shit,” I grumble, leaning away from his touch. It feels weird, especially with Carlo watching us like he’s got nothing better to do.
I glance at Carlo, and for a split second, I swear I see something flicker in his eyes. Annoyance? Jealousy? No, I must be imagining things.
“Why the fuck did you leave me alone with him?” I hiss at Felix, lowering my voice. “What if he decided to strangle me in my sleep or pull some movie shit and unplug my machines? Oh I'm not fixed to any”
Carlo laughs—a deep, breathy sound that makes my skin crawl. “Did you actually mean to whisper, or were you hoping I’d hear that?”
I shoot him a glare, but he just smirks like the asshole he is.
“Since your little chipmunk's here, I’ll get going,” Carlo says, standing up and straightening his suit. He moves with that air of confidence that makes me want to knock him down a peg.
“Don’t let the door hit you on the way out,” I mutter under my breath.
He pauses at the doorway, turning back with a sly grin. “It was satisfying seeing you at your lowest...again, Blaze.”
My blood boils, but before I can respond, he’s gone.
“Fucking bastard,” I spit, slamming my fist against the bed. "What the fuck does he mean by 'again'?"
“Hey,” Felix says, raising his hands like I’m some wild animal about to attack. “You should be grateful. He helped you out.”
“Helper my ass,” I snap, swinging my legs over the bed. My whole body protests, but I push through the pain. “I can’t let that smug prick think he’s better than me. I need to settle this.”
“Blaze, you’re in no shape to—”
But I’m already out the door, chasing after Carlo. My head feels like it’s going to split open, but I don’t care.
“Hey!” I call out, catching him just as he’s pulling his phone out.
He raises an eyebrow, clearly unimpressed. “Something you forgot to say?”
“I’ll pay you back,” I say, my voice firm. “Tell me what I owe you, and I’ll make it right.”
Carlo looks genuinely surprised for a second, but then that damn smirk returns. “Pay me back? You?”
“Yeah,” I snap. “But it can’t be money. I don’t have that kind of cash.”
He chuckles, sliding his phone back into his pocket. “I’ll think about it.”
And just like that, he walks off, leaving me standing there like a fucking idiot.
I return to Felix, who’s waiting with a knowing look.
“Let’s go,” I mutter, grabbing my phone from the bed. “I’ve got a bike to fix.”
Felix frowns. “You look like shit, Blaze. Maybe take a day off?”
“I can’t afford another night like the last one,” I say, my voice low. “I need to work.”
Felix doesn’t argue. He knows I’m right. As we leave, the receptionist informs me that Carlo paid the hospital bill. I glance at Felix, who just shrugs, but there’s something in his expression that makes me uneasy.
Something I can’t quite put my finger on.