"You behave recklessly," Rhys said evenly, but there was no censure in his tone. "Like a child who doesn't know any better. But I have the feeling that you do know better. Why you don't seem to care is another matter, and not one I can help you with. I'm just here to protect you."

There was a noise from above on the fire escape, and metal stairs creaked as someone else began to make their way down. Did people usually wait until this hour to chuck their trash? If he had been the type to do so, he would have chuckled at the coincidence.

"You should go back inside. Put some ice on that lip. And make sure your windows are locked."