Chapter 39
VI
We don’t go far.
Just into a side corridor off the main hub, narrow and dim, the kind of space people pass through but don’t linger in. The noise from the work hub fades to a low murmur behind us.
Vi stops walking and turns to face me, her arms crossed tightly over her chest. “You pulled me out like I’m a child,” she says.
“You were acting like one,” I reply.
Her eyes flash. “She attacked me.”
“She baited you,” I correct. “And you took it.”
“What was I supposed to do? Stand there and let her insult me?”
“Yes. Exactly. Don’t give away your power to that bitch.” My words land solid.
Vi’s mouth opens, then closes. “You want me to just take it?” she asks.
“I want you to be smarter,” I say. “You gave her exactly what she wanted.”
“And what’s that?”
“Proof that you’re reactive,” I reply. “That you can be controlled. That all she has to do is say the right words and you’ll explode.”
“So I’m supposed to let her walk all over me.”
“You’re not listening to me,” I say. “You’re supposed to wait for the right moment.”
“And when is that?”
“When you can win,” I reply. “Not just survive.”
She stares at me for a long moment, her breathing still uneven. “She said I’m spreading my legs for you.”
My chest tightens. “I heard.”
“And you didn’t correct her.”
“Because correcting her in front of everyone would’ve made it worse,” I say. “It would’ve confirmed that we give a shit what the others think. And that she can get under your skin. That she has power over you rather than the other way around.”
Vi’s hands curl into fists again. “She does have power over me. She can say whatever she wants and I’m just supposed to stand there and take it.”
“You could look at it that way,” I say. “Or look at it differently.”
“You sound like a shrink now. That’s not fair.”
“No,” I agree. “It’s not.”
Silence stretches between us. I can see the war playing out on her face, anger, frustration, the desperate need to fight back against something, anything.
“They’re going to think I’m weak,” she says finally.
“No,” I reply immediately. “They’ll think you’re learning. And learning means making mistakes.”
“That wasn’t a mistake,” she says. “That was self-defense.”
“Down here,” I say, “self-defense is knowing when not to fight.”
Her throat moves as she swallows hard. “She’s going to keep coming,” Vi says.
“Yes.”
“And you’re just going to let her.”
“No,” I say. “I’m going to let her think I’m letting her. Until she crosses a line.”
“What line?”
My gaze holds hers. “The one where she passes the point of no return.”
“Just because she’s bothering me?”
“Just because she’s threatening what’s mine,” I correct.
The words hang in the air between us.
Vi’s eyes widen slightly. “I’m not—”
“You are,” I interrupt. “Whether you’ve accepted it yet or not. Stop fighting it. You’re lucky we’re looking out for you. Not all Runts get that.”
She scoffs, rolling her eyes.
I’m not surprised in the least, that she laughs at what makes her uncomfortable. But I am concerned. False bravado will be the end of her.
I step closer, closing the distance between us until there’s barely any space left.
“You want to fight her,” I say. “I understand that. I’d feel the same, Vi. But I wouldn’t. Believe me when I say, if you do, you’ll lose. Not because you’re not strong enough but because she has nothing to lose. And you do.”
“What do I have to lose?” Vi asks, raising her chin.
“This,” I reply. “Us. The protection we’re giving you. The position you’re building.”
“I didn’t ask for any of that.”
Jesus Christ, this woman.
“No,” I agree. “But you have it now. And if you throw it away because you can’t control your temper, that’s on you.”
“You’re blaming me for this.”
“I’m telling you the reality,” I say. “Down here, attention is dangerous. And you’re drawing too much of it.”
She opens her mouth to argue, then stops. Because she knows I’m right.
I lift one hand slowly, giving her time to pull away if she wants to.
She doesn’t.
My fingers brush her hair. I tilt her face up slightly so I can see her eyes clearly.
“You’re not weak,” I say. “You’re stubborn. And reckless. And you don’t bend even when you should.”
“It’s also why you’re in danger,” I continue. “Because girls who don’t bend get broken. And I’m trying very hard to make sure that doesn’t happen to you.”
Her throat moves as she swallows. “Why?”
“You know why,” I say simply.
Then Vi reaches up slowly and curls her fingers into the front of my shirt.
“You’re watching me like you’re afraid I’ll disappear,” she whispers. “Or explode.”
“Both are possible, knowing you.”
“Which one do you want?”
I don’t answer. Instead, I remove my mask, then lean in slowly and press my mouth to hers.
The kiss starts soft, controlled, just a brush of lips. But the second she responds, heat flares through me. Her fingers tighten in my shirt, pulling me closer, and I deepen the kiss just enough to feel her melt into it.
Her mouth is warm, soft, yielding in a way that has nothing to do with submission and everything to do with want.
When I pull back, her eyes are wide, her breath uneven.
“That was... unexpected,” she whispers.
“Yes,” I say hoarsely. “And you wanted it?”
She looks down, and then along the length of the corridor. Anywhere to avoid my gaze.
“Yes,” she breathes, and leans in for another.