"I'm sure he will." It was what Axel usually did when Hartley was hurt, only usually his injuries weren't caused by Axel's associates but his experiments. Actually, some of them had been caused by unhappy clients. Or overly eager clients. What a life they had.

Hartley hissed when the disinfectant wipe made his skin burn, but he held still rather bravely, just pressing his lips together. He looked down at James and smiled, but it was a sad smile. "I know. I am all up in it. It's a mess and I thought maybe it could get better eventually. Now I'm not so sure any more."