Little Lamb

36 ❦ hurt him

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The air had grown colder by the time Burns showed up, his loud footsteps crunching through the dry leaves just outside the tent.

I barely glanced up from the chaos of my bag. I hadn't expected him to come back for a while, but here he was, lingering in that annoying way of his. As if he wasn't already on my last nerve.

I stuffed the last of my clothes into the bag, hoping he'd just leave me alone. But of course, Burns didn't know how to shut the hell up.

"Why are you packing your bag already, princess?" he called out, leaning in the entrance, flashing that smug, teasing grin of his. "It's not like you're coming with me."

I turned my head slowly, fury burning across my face. "Shut the fuck up." The words came out harsher than I intended, but honestly, I couldn't care less. Burns always had this way of pushing me, poking at all the wrong places, and today, it hit harder than usual, especially after that thing in the woods with Riggs earlier.

He smirked, clearly amused by my reaction, and took a step closer, pretending to inspect my half packed bag. "What's got your panties in a twist?" he teased. "You want to go with me that badly? I mean, I'm flattered, but..."

I couldn't help the way my hand clenched into a fist, the irritation building under my skin like a steady hum of static. "Okay, I'm not going anywhere with you anymore, Burns. And you won't get your money."

His grin faltered for a split second, the playful glint in his eyes dimming just enough to make me feel a flash of satisfaction. But it didn't last long. Burns was quick to recover, smirking again like I hadn't just taken the wind out of his sails.

"Is that so?" he drawled, crossing his arms over his chest. "Well, I don't really need you anymore, princess. Got everything I need right here." He pulled a crumpled piece of paper from his pocket, waving it in front of my face like it was some kind of golden ticket. "The address. The info. I'll just walk in there, gun in hand, and make it my own. Don't need you to hold my hand while I do it."

He had that smug, sarcastic look on his face, clearly convinced he was winning. But I didn't buy it for a second. I rolled my eyes, dropping the last few items into my bag with exaggerated care, trying to hold back a laugh at how ridiculous he sounded.

"You think that's the real address on that note?" I said turning to face him, narrowing my eyes like he was the joke here. "I'm not that stupid to give you the real thing."

His smirk faltered again, just enough for me to know I'd hit a nerve. But he quickly recovered, though the doubt in his eyes was still there. I could see it, even if he tried to hide it.

"You're lost without me," I continued, my tone cold and cutting. "You've got no clue where to go. You think waving around some half assed address is gonna get you in? I don't think so. You're not walking into that bank without me."

Burns blinked, and let out a frustrated sigh, rolling his shoulders back. He wasn't as clever as he thought he was. And without me, he was nothing.

"Alright, princess. Maybe you're right," Burns muttered, shrugging like he was giving in, though I could see the sarcasm in his eyes. "I'll see you when I need you."

"Yeah, you will," I shot back, grabbing my bag and heading for the door, leaving him standing there with nothing but a bruised ego and a failed plan. I was already halfway to the exit when Burns followed me.

I reached for the flap to open it, and just as I pulled it back, Burns called out, "What are you doing?"

"Dinner," I replied, not even sparing him a glance. "Allister's waiting for me."