[This chapter is dedicated to Lady Jan4959! Thank you for your golden ticket, love]
Without waiting for her to respond, he stood and moved to the drawer behind his desk. He returned with a small first aid kit and a metal instrument—something thin, with a grip, like the kind doctors used to remove bullets or extract things from ears.
Heather's eyes widened.
The moment she saw it, she pulled her hand away, shaking her head. "No. Nope. No way."
Caius didn't argue.
He simply extended his palm and said, "Let me see," with a tone that left little room for negotiation.
Heather hesitated again, then slowly placed her hand in his.
She looked away, bracing herself.
Caius leaned in, working quietly. The instrument pinched lightly, then pushed, then twisted.
Heather winced and clenched her jaw. She shut her eyes tight, feeling the sharp sting of the removal. A tear welled up, uninvited. The pain flared—then stopped.
She opened one eye and turned her head.
