Chapter 716

Fine. Hayden set the stage, so I'd roll with it. With an exaggerated wave, I stepped aside.

Cole smirked. "Together?"

Cole stepped into the room, and I followed. Hayden lay there, so still it made my stomach churn. His head was wrapped in gauze, and a drainage tube extended from his scalp, the fluid inside an unsettling, blood-red color.

The sight hit me like a flashback to Houston. Back then, I'd figured out his injuries had been part of an act. But even now, knowing this might just be another performance, my chest tightened, and I couldn't even glance at that blood-filled tube for more than a second. But Cole? Not even a flicker of unease. He circled Hayden like he was inspecting an art exhibit, then leaned down and muttered, "Xander, your acting could use some work."

'Bastard!' I bit down a curse. He thought Hayden was faking.

"Excuse me?" I snapped, storming over to grab his arm, yanking him back before he could pull more stunts. "He's lying there like that, and you're calling it an act? Why don't you try faking something like this and show us all how it's done?"

Cole pouted slightly. "Relax, I was just joking. Trying to get a rise out of him. But wow, you're really protective of him, huh?" He tilted his head, lips curling into a smirk. "Oh, and that mark on his neck... was that you?"

"And what if it was? Or maybe it was you?" I shot back without hesitation.

Cole chuckled, totally unfazed. "Oh, I wish. But sadly, he wouldn't let me.' I cringed, a mix of disgust and disbelief bubbling up. "Never figured you for someone who swings both ways, Cole."

He shrugged like I'd just complimented him. "Surprised? There's a lot you don't know about me. If you've got some free time, I'd be happy to give you a full demo.

Oh, please. His smirk was pure bait, testing me, testing Hayden, testing everything.

I shot him a frosty smile. "Not dying to learn, thanks."

Turning back to Hayden, I shut out Cole's taunts and the chaos he dragged in with him. Right now, the only thing that mattered was making sure Hayden-real or act-was okay. The blood was real-I'd touched it myself.

I wanted to say something, but I swallowed the words down. Instead, I leaned in close and whispered, "You got hurt protecting me. Don't worry, I'll make sure they pay for this."