"Sit your ass down," he said and nodded his head behind him towards the living room.
"I have to go," she said quickly. "I have to find my brother. He's in trouble."
"Now."
She found herself hurrying around him to the couch at his low growl and suspected he wasn't someone who ever repeated anything. Panic stirred as she recalled what his men had done at Talon's stash house. She braced herself for him to turn into Talon and hurt her.
"You're fatigued," he said.
She followed him with her eyes as he retreated towards the kitchen. Her gaze returned to the door and lingered. She must not have twisted one of the locks, even though she'd checked them all twice. When she looked to the stranger, she found his warning look on her.
"Rule one: no running. Think of yourself in the predators' wing of the zoo. You run, they kill you. You stay put, they just might ignore you. Got it?"
The comparison made her breath catch. She knew him to be merciless, and his words only reminded her how dangerous he was. From his cold features to his controlled, efficient movement, to the low, commanding tone, there was no doubt he belonged in the predators' wing of the zoo.
"I have to find my brother," she said in a small voice. "Did you find him in the stash house?"
"No," he said and then muttered something that sounded like damn Oracle before raising his voice to address her again. "But I know where he is."
Her heart leapt, and she stood, halfway to him before his sharp look reminded her he wasn't someone she wanted to approach. She retreated to the couch and sat on its arm.
"Is he okay?" she asked at his silence.
"We'll see."
He returned from the kitchen with tray holding a glass of orange juice, a plate with what looked like homemade granola bars, and a small bowl of sliced apples. He set it down on the coffee table and returned to the computer.
Surprised, she watched him. He said nothing as he responded to the messages on his screen. She ate quickly, looking from his perfect body to her scarred forearms. In a few days, even the scars would heal.
She wondered what was wrong with Jonny, if she'd get to him in time to heal him from whatever drugs Talon gave him. She fidgeted then rose, too antsy to sit still when her emotions were in turmoil. She looked at the pictures on his walls, not surprised to find them bland. Images of landmark buildings, of the seven greatest wonders of the ancient world, and city scenes from around the world. Coldly impersonal, like the rest of the apartment.