Page 70 of Us Defiant Few

No one else.

The sentiment was so strong that Takeshi tightened his grip on the blade, nearly wishing an intruder would try to shove past him, just so he could release his agonizing turmoil.

Right at that moment, boots echoed down the hall. Takeshi licked his lips as he lifted the blade a few inches, grateful to spill a little blood.

But he recognized the stocky frame of Brock, their supposed guide through the Death-Zone.

Takeshi didn’t like him.

His brown eyes were too probing, and he watched Khalani like he was her ally.

That was enough to make him want to commit murder.

“Mind if I join you?” Brock asked in a low voice.

“Yes.”

Brock chuckled and sat near him anyway.

Bastard.

“Good to know you haven’t changed.” The Death-Zoner sighed as he stretched his legs out, resting his arms behind his head.

“Don’t act like you know me,” Takeshi growled, detesting his presence, wanting to be alone in front of her door in peace.

He was tired of these people acting like they were his friends. Takeshi preferred isolation. Letting other people in only invited betrayal.

Brock cocked his head. “You really don’t remember any of us?”

“I wish you would all stop asking me that.”

“Why?”

Takeshi’s mouth formed a thin line. In any other circumstance, he would’ve left the house rather than subject himself to an interrogation, but that would leave her door unprotected.

Someone like Brock could enter while she slept.

That was unacceptable.

“Because it’s not true,” he repeated. The knife twirled faster in his palm, skipping a few fingers, nearly cutting himself in the process.

But Takeshi wanted to bleed.

He’d rather focus on anything else than this topic.

“And yet, you’re still sitting in front of her bedroom door,” Brock noted in a sly voice.

“There’s a nice draft right here.”

“We’re indoors.”

“Great observation skills.”

“You can lie to us all you want, mate,” Brock chuckled. “Try not to lie to yourself.”

“I didn’t ask for your advice.” Takeshi laced the words with a sharper bite.

“Good,” Brock replied. “I wasn’t offering any.”