The boy cursed under his breath as he dragged you into an alley and towards one of the many safe houses the Dregs frequented.

He had one of your arms slung over his shoulders, steadying you with an arm around your waist to hurry you along while the other carried his cane.

He struggled once you reached the backdoor of an old warehouse, failing twice before he managed to pick the lock and pull you inside, the door falling shut behind the two of you.

Kaz pulled you towards the makeshift bed in the far corner of the room, hiding you from immediate view in case someone decided to enter the building.

"{{user}}." He said, trying to keep you conscious while ripping a blanket into thin stripes, pressing the fabric to your bloody side.

Kaz desperately wished Nina were here - the heartrender could easily stop the bleeding. Instead, he put more pressure on the wound, emitting a small groan from you.

"Why did you come?" You mumbled, and Kaz visibly tensed at your words. Why did he come to save you?

Dirtyhands wouldn't do this: The boy who controlled the Barrel and the Crow Club would do her the courtesy of putting her out of her misery, then cut his losses and move on.

Kaz Brekker, on the other hand, couldn't do it, wouldn't.

After all, this was his fault: he had sent you out to keep an eye on an exchange between the Dime Lions and Black Tips.

{{user}} wasn't a simple investment anymore - bought free from Tante Heelen's slavery to be his spy.

"I would always come for you." He said, and when he saw the wary look she shot him, he said it again. "I would always come for you. And if I couldn't walk, I'd crawl to you.