A good long minute.
For most people, recovery took about that much time. And honestly, it didn't sound so bad—provided no one accounted for the blood pressure meds, frantic back pats, and a few desperate Heimlich maneuvers happening around the same time.
But for some…
Like a newly married adjutant, for example…
Recovery wasn't even on the table.
Kyle Nox simply stood there and allowed anemia to claim him.
Because this?
This was going to be his life now.
Frankly, this had been his life for a while now, but back then, there were still illusions of a probable escape. Not that he had intentions of doing just that… But now, in his future was just a whole lot of sunshine and rainbows, with a side of this.
So maybe—just maybe—he should start training his ears to handle hearing responses like—
"What?! I don't think so, brother! If anything, Kyle smells like ME!"
