Текст книги "The Bad Boy Arrangement"

Автор книги: Nora Flite

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– Chapter Twelve -

Huxton

Staring at my phone, I watched it go to voicemail. It had been a few days since I'd come clean to Zoe. We'd spent a lot of time together since then, talked on the days we didn't, but today... today she hadn't picked up once.

Eyeing the missed calls, I wondered if I was getting too obsessive.

Shoving my phone back in my bag, I finished changing for the gym. Her silence combined with no news about the next fight was making me antsy.

I had to thank the sudden free time, though. I was getting a lot of training in. And man, had I missed that.

The small gym was perfect, the right amount of quiet and intensity. When other guys showed up, they went about their business and didn't goof off. I'd even sparred with a few of them briefly.

Now, with sweat staining my shirt, I pounded on the bag and took out my frustrations. I wanted to see Zoe—needed to see Zoe. I wondered if this feeling would ever fade. It was as if the addictive side of my brain that sought out every pussy on the planet was honing in on just one; hers.

Noise floated to my left. Glancing over, I saw a group of three guys entering the room. They were dressed and ready, quintessential MMA looking dudes.

And I knew one of them.

Reese stared at me where I was hitting the bag. Zoe had said he trained here, but it was the first time I'd seen him on the floor.

We both stopped what we were doing, sizing the other up. I knew I was grinning, I couldn't help it. The dark bruise on his nose from where I'd busted it a few nights ago was a delicious visual. The discoloration had spread under his eyes, aiding in giving him a miserable glare. A glare that was fixed ever so strictly on me.

Lifting an arm, I waggled my fingers and smiled wider.

Reese mumbled something to one of his companions. Stretching his broad shoulders, he came my way. I faced him, patiently waiting. “Hey man,” he said, chomping the words like an alligator. “Crazy seeing you here. Small world.”

“Yeah, small world.” I nodded at his bruise. “Healing up nice, I see.”

His smile tightened. “Yup. Almost good as new.” His attention rolled over me, then side to side, searching. “Zoe's not here with you today?”

Zoe. I hated when he said her name. Leaning back, I folded my arms calmly. “Nope. Just me, practicing my swing.”

“Smart move. You'd benefit from some strict training.” There was a subtle threat in his words.

Chuckling, I said, “True. Next time, I'll be able to bust your face even harder.”

One of the guys with him started to step forward, riled up by my comment. Reese put out his arm, stopping the man. Hard, deep-brown eyes glared at me. “You've got a cocky attitude, huh?”

“Guilty as charged.”

“I hate assholes with big mouths,” he said. “I'd love to shatter that stupid grin of yours.”

“How about I give you that opportunity?” Jerking my head at the boxing ring, I unfolded my arms.

Reese was considering my offer, I could tell by how he peered at my stance, gauging how serious I was. Finally, he shrugged into his ears. “Nah, not here. When I tear you apart, I want her to be there, watching me do it.”

“Why the fuck do you even want to be around Zoe?” I asked, baffled by his misplaced cruelty. “You cheated on her, man. She should want to see you getting fucked up.”

“She told you that? What else did she tell you?” Reese pushed his hands through his hair, telegraphing his attempt to act casual. Was he trying to get me to spill something? Like I was that stupid.

“I know enough.”

Amazingly, he smirked. “I don't think you do. You broke my nose because of what Nehro told you, right? Because you got all offended and decided you were too good to take money for risking your neck for that girl?”

I struggled to keep my hands down, I was eager to close them around Reese's throat.

He flicked his eyes to my hands, then to my face. “Yeah. I can see the hate you have for me. But you're misplacing it. Sure, I cheated on Zoe—I won't deny that. But I also helped her, more than anyone else would have.”

He caught me by surprise, my mouth plummeting out of its sharp scowl. “How the hell did you help her? You abandoned her.”

“She didn't tell you.” It was a crisp statement. “You think you're so noble and shit, fighting for this girl, and you don't even know a thing about her. You might be some god damn angel, man... but trust me. Zoe isn't.”

Reese turned away, his companions following him like they were a string of shit from a goldfish's ass. I was too busy resisting just grabbing him by the shoulders and demanding he tell me what he was talking about to appreciate the hilarious visual.

Zoe was no angel? So what? I wasn't, either. Who the hell was in this day and age?

But his words got under my skin. They dug at me, sinking in tiny claws until I paid attention to them. Reese knew something I didn't. I could insist he tell me, bust his nose again, or...

I can go to the source.

Heading into the locker room, I changed into my street clothes, snatching out my phone. Zoe hadn't called me back. No longer debating on my next move, I dialed her number.

That endless ringing was pure torture.

Not leaving her a message, I stomped through the gym. Reese was machine-gun punching a bag while one of the men held it steady. As I passed, even at a distance, we locked eyes.

If I broke all his teeth, would his foul smile bother me less?

I need to talk to her.

Maybe I was driven by curiosity, or perhaps it was just the side of me that had started to treat Zoe like she was my water and air. I needed to be around her. Fuck anyone for judging me. I was so used to being able to indulge in my desires.

This ache was greater than any of them.

Climbing on my bike outside, I lifted my phone again. The next person I called actually answered.

“Hello?” Eliza said, her voice muffled by the cacophony of street noise around me.

“Hey, quick question.” I willed myself to sound steady. “Have you talked to Zoe today?”

She yawned, and I wondered if she was relaxing outside. It was sunny, but the bite of December was finally growing teeth. “Sure, earlier today. She was heading out, said I wouldn't see her for dinner because she'd be working at five. Why, what's wrong?”

Glancing at my phone, I saw the time. It's already after four. “Can you give me the address?” I couldn't remember the name of the bar that Zoe, apparently, waitressed at when she wasn't sneaking around to go to the Dog House.

“You sound stressed. I'll meet you at her bar, we can catch up, okay?”

Chewing the inside of my cheek, I hesitated. “Deal, but you'll have to buy me a drink.”

Getting the address from Eliza, I took one last look at the gym. Inside, Reese was preparing his body for the next match. The man was fit, and I didn't doubt he was strong.

But if he ever got in the ring with me...

I would be the one tearing him the fuck apart.

Eliza was waiting for me. Not just waiting, she had a beer in one hand, sliding it over without question. Clinking hers on mine, she took a long pull of it, then said, “So. Congratulations on fucking Zoe Lillith.”

Flushing, I leaned close to her and made myself smile. There was no humor in it. “Thank you, I'll take my award, now, please.”

Rolling her eyes, she wagged a finger. “Haha, very funny. Listen, you know why I'm mad. It's going to kill that girl when she finds out what you do for a living.”

“I already told her.”

Sitting up, Eliza gawked at me dubiously. “You're joking. No, god, you're not. Holy hell. Huck, you really told her? What did she say?”

“She didn't slap me, amazingly.” Sipping the beer, I remembered the sadness in Zoe that had finally shifted to acceptance. “She wasn't happy, either. But I laid it out for her. I don't know, maybe she's more open than you thought, definitely less uptight. Why else would she not flip out and run away screaming?”

Eliza put her chin on her fist. “I might have something to do with that.”

I blinked. “What?”

“A couple days ago, I told Zoe that I used to be an escort.”

“What the hell prompted you to tell her?”

Going pink in the cheeks, Eliza fidgeted. “Disclosure time. I've been camming for awhile.”

I scooted my chair closer. “That explains why you weren't calling me to guard you anymore. Shit, Zoe walked in on that?”

She laughed half-heartedly. “It wasn't my finest moment.” Drinking deeply, Eliza eyed the ceiling in thought. “I might have gone a little ballistic on her, but I was freaking out. I thought she'd hate me for doing it, and then things got off track and I mentioned I used to fool around for money. Turns out, our sweet Zoe is sweet enough not to judge me—or us, apparently—for our pasts.”

Soaking up her words, I turned my bottle in a small circle. “I wonder why that is?” What makes her so understanding? I was curious, but it was something only Zoe herself could answer.

Glancing around the bar, I scanned everyone I could see. “You said she was working, right? So where is she?”

“I don't know. Maybe she hit traffic?”

Shaking my head, I waved at a waitress. “No. She uses the subway, how could traffic slow her down? Excuse me,” I said, the young woman approaching with a pearly smile. “We're looking for our friend, Zoe. Is she working right now?”

Tapping her cheek, the dark-haired waitress hummed. “Zoe? Yeah, she is, but not until eight. Can I help you for now, get you anything?”

Eliza and I shared a look. She spoke first. “No, thank you. We're good.”

“Actually,” I said, gulping down the rest of my drink. “I'll take another beer. This might be a long wait.”

Nodding, the waitress skipped away. I pointed at Eliza, eyes narrowing. “You're sure she said five?”

“Positive.”

“Fuck,” I growled, rubbing my forehead. “Why would she lie?”

'You don't even know a thing about her.'

Reese's comment had my insides squirming.

Eliza flipped her hair over her shoulder, playing with the long strands. “This is so weird. I hope she's okay, let me try to call her.” Sliding out her phone, she dialed in a blur. Both of us waited, holding our breaths.

“No answer?” I asked, knowing what she'd say.

Nodding, Eliza tucked the phone in her purse. “It rang a bit, so her phone isn't turned off. She just isn’t answering.”

No matter how many times we each called her, Zoe never picked up. I'd gone through four beers, my buzz strengthening, by the time eight o'clock rolled around.

On the dot, her hair tied up in a knot and dressed in black pants and a purple work-shirt, Zoe swayed through the doors. She spotted us instantly, eyes becoming wide plates in her skull.

Lifting a hand, I waved, having trouble smiling.

“I'll... give you two some space,” Eliza said, shoving her chair out.

Zoe watched her go, moving to stand across from me warily. She kept the table between us. “Uh, hey.”

“Hey yourself,” I said, leaning back in my seat. “Want to tell me where you were all day?”

Fidgeting with her sleeves, she darted her eyes from my face, to the beer bottles. “How long were you guys waiting for me?”

“Long enough. Answer the question.”

In front of me, this confusing woman slumped. She was already defeated, and none of the angry words I'd prepared for her had even come out. My frustration turned to dust. God, I hated seeing her like this.

My hands went for hers, catching them—making her jump. “Zoe, please. I won't get upset. I promise. I just want to know where you were.” I was worried. I didn't say it, but I imagine she saw the proof in my stare.

“Huck, I'm seriously sorry. I just...”

Rubbing my thumbs over the tops of her hands, I lowered my tone. “You want to trust me, right?” She nodded slowly. “Then listen, babe. If this trust thing is going to work, it goes both ways. I need to know what you were doing, why you were avoiding me.”

“I wasn't avoiding you.” Clear and crisp, her blue irises watched me. “I was busy with something.”

“Busy with what?”

Breathing in until her chest filled, Zoe frowned. She studied our hands, then clasped mine tight. “I can't tell you, not here. But I'll... show you. Tomorrow, I'll take you where I was. You just have to do one thing for me.”

Tugging her around the table, I stopped when she was touching my knees. I wanted to feel her, I was ravenous for contact. “Tell me, and I'll do it.”

With a fragile little smile, Zoe said, “You remember that brand of truffles?”

Blinking, I wrinkled my forehead. “Yeah, sure. Hazelnut.”

“Tomorrow, before you come by my place... pick up a bag of those.”

– Chapter Thirteen -

Zoe

Staring out the window, I twisted my fingers in the bottom of my jacket. I'd been dressed and ready to go for over an hour. Huck wasn't late, I was just beyond nervous.

What am I thinking? I can't do this.

Pacing the tiles, I studied my feet, hid my hands in my pockets. If I folded into a tiny ball, tried hard enough, could I vanish into thin air?

Stop being a coward.

Telling yourself things like that should work. It never does.

“Hey,” Eliza said, standing in the kitchen doorway. “You okay?”

Peeking at her over my shoulder, I smiled softly. “Not at all.”

She swept into the room, looking beautiful as ever. Eliza had a natural air of—I don't know the word. Grace? Something like that. She just moved and spoke and acted as if nothing could ever touch her. No one could hurt her.

Though... I knew that wasn't true. Just recently, I'd scratched my way accidentally into her history. Eliza had a past that she feared people would judge her for.

A past just like Huxton's.

And in a way... a past just like mine.

She stood beside me, staring out the window at the curb. “Waiting for Huck?” she asked, knowing the answer. I still nodded, anyway. “You're anxious about something.”

“No, no.”

Pushing her eyebrows up, she looked pointedly over my outfit. “Then why do you have your jacket on already?”

Putting my fingers against the top clasp by my neck, I smiled shyly. “Clever. Okay, yes. I'm nervous. Today, I'm... doing something I'm not sure about.”

Eliza looked past me, back out the window. “Something that you're scared to show Huck?”

“Insanely scared.”

“I don't think you need to worry about what he'll think.”

My lips crinkled together. “What?”

Sliding me a sideways glance, Eliza sounded like she was musing out loud. “Well, I don't know what you're doing, exactly, but... if you're scared, imagine how terrified he must have been when he told you what he does for a living.”

So he told her that I know. It wasn't that shocking. They were friends, it would have come up eventually. It also meant that she had known he was an escort. I felt a little dumb, but I'd only just connected those dots. “You think he was scared?”

“Of course he was! If I was freaking out, how could he not?” Pausing, she drummed her fingernails on the windowsill. “Why...”

“Why?” I prompted.

“Why are you alright with it? I mean, sorry, not trying to sound judgmental.” Lifting her palms, she waved her fingers in surrender. “I just... I thought you would be horrified by my news, and you did seem shocked. But you're sleeping with Huck, right?”

My blush went all the way to my hairline. I wasn't embarrassed at the reality, I just didn't appreciate her blunt observation. “You don't know everything about me, Eliza. I don't blame people for their pasts.”

She set her forehead on the glass. Her reflection was much like her voice; frail, hardly there. “This isn't his past, it's his present. He still has clients, Zoe.”

A motorcycle rumbled loudly. Both of us looked, spotting Huck when he rolled up. He didn't turn the bike off. Clearly, he was waiting for me to go to him. I appreciated that, it was a nice escape from Eliza's probing.

I had a suspicion that she was... envious. She'd enjoyed escorting, or some parts of it, she'd said. But in the end, she'd quit. Did she feel it was unfair that Huck could get away with putting his dirty laundry in front of me, having his cake and eating it too?

Eliza couldn't know how desperate I was to prove that the past didn't matter. Mistakes, flaws... couldn't we be forgiven for them?

Outside, the Harley snarled; expectant. Heading for the door, I glanced back at Eliza. She was staring at me, so many questions in the air between us.

Lifting my chin, I left with one final sentence;

“According to him, at least for now... the only client he has is me.”

Hugging his torso, I wrapped myself around Huck and never wanted to let go.

I'd told him where we were headed. He'd nodded, speeding us to the location far faster than I could reach on my own. That was part of what took me so long yesterday; public transport is a bitch.

The whole sky was the color of ash, thick and waiting to drench us. We hadn't had rain in sometime, but I thought, if it fell today, it'd be appropriate.

Huxton slowed his bike, turning into the small parking lot. We weren't far from the bustle of Beverly Hills, and I could see the confusion plain on his face. “This is it?” he asked, staring up at the beige building.

Climbing down from behind him, I said, “Yeah, we're here.” Am I honestly going to do this? It didn't seem possible to turn back, but if I just faced Huck and pleaded with him, said I'd changed my mind, maybe... maybe he'd listen.

Twisting, I gazed up at his intense green eyes. They ripped the ability to speak from my tongue, made it so I couldn't find my footing.

His hands curled around the small of my back. “Zoe, it'll be fine. I can tell you're freaking out, but really... believe me. It's okay.”

It was nice of him to say that, but he had no idea.

My lips went up on one side, then the other matched, like I'd just remembered how to make myself smile. “Did you bring the truffles?”

Digging into his pocket, he handed me the bag.

Taking a single, slow breath, I led us towards the front doors. When we got close, Huck started searching for a sign. He wanted to know where we were. This place liked privacy, so unfortunately for him, he'd have to wait to learn.

Inside the foyer, there was a simple, curved desk. Everything had a sanitary shine. Christmas decoration stuck here and there, a tree lighting up the corner. There were two people in chairs, facing away, wrapped in blankets.

The man behind the counter smiled at me, eyes lighting with recognition. His tag said 'Hershel,' but I already knew that. “Miss Lillith, you're back so soon. Is something wrong?”

“No, everything's fine.” Tossing a quick glance at Huck, who had stuck his hands in his jeans and looked too casual for the atmosphere, I said, “We'll be going straight up. Is it okay?”

Sliding me a clipboard, Hershel's smile crinkled the corners of his eyes. “Of course. She'll be very happy to see you.”

Swallowing loudly, I scribbled my name down. “Thanks.” Motioning to Huxton, I guided him into the elevator. It was wide, roomy. Still, we stood hip to hip. It was a silent ride. I think he was beginning to understand that this place was... important.

The doors slid open with a 'ding.' Turning, I hefted the truffles, let the weight of them center me. I wasn't sure what was about to happen. I couldn't predict how Huck would take the news.

Sweat soaked my palms. Wiping my hands on my jacket did nothing. “Here we are,” I croaked, stopping in front of a door. The hallway was quiet, a single woman at the end rolling a cart.

Looking at Huck, I tried to see into his head. He wasn't smiling, he'd put on an expression that welled with empathy. “Are you okay?” he whispered.

Was I okay?

How could I be okay, with what I was about to tell him?

He has to know. It's only right. And, when it was over, if he thought I was as terrible as I did... maybe he would leave.

The idea turned my stomach and made me ill. I never answered him. Tucking my chin, I grabbed the handle and opened the door.

She was perched on the edge of her bed, facing the window. The light made her white hair look like a halo, and to me, she was saintly enough to deserve it. They'd dressed her in a long sweater, soft baby blue.

Everything about this woman was gentle.

The sound of the door alerted her to us. Turning enough to show her profile, she spotted me. Her smile went ear to ear, eyes twinkling with life—with vibrancy—even if so much of what was behind her blue gaze was jumbled.

“Zoe,” she said, motioning to me. “Oh, you've come to see me! It's been so long!”

Pain crept into my heart. So long? No. It was just yesterday. “Hi, Gram,” I said, moving to sit beside her. She curled her frail arms around my neck, kissing my cheek. Her skin was papery, yet still flushed for a woman in her seventies.

Embracing her firmly, I looked over her head. Huck was staring at us, confusion and doubt leaving deep grooves in his skin.

Carefully, I pulled out of my grandma's arms. “Gram, I brought you something.” Offering the truffles, I enjoyed a spark of joy at how delighted she looked.

“Oh! Hazelnut! My favorite.” Chuckling, she took the bag and opened it. “Now, I'd share, but you know you're allergic.”

I laughed like I always did when she said that.

Chewing the candy, she finally noticed Huxton. Her eyes flashed, concern burning bright. “Oh, who... Reese? Is that Reese, dear?” I caught the corner of her mouth trembling.

Both Huck and I flinched. Putting my palm on her knee, I shook my head. “No. Gram, this is a friend of mine. His name is Huxton.”

“Huxton,” she said doubtfully. Squinting, she offered him a truffle. “Are you allergic? You musn't eat this if you are. You'll turn all red and puffy, like poor Zoe did when she was little.”

The grin I loved returned to his face. “I'm not allergic, thank you.” Taking the little ball, he popped it in his mouth. He was watching me, asking so many things with his stare.

Patting Gram's knee, I said, “I'll be right back. I need to talk to Huxton outside. We'll be quick.”

Nodding, she waved her frail hand. Again, she watched Huck with a flutter of nerves. There was tension behind her eyes, I'd never seen her look so uneasy. “You need to be careful,” she said to him. “Very careful. Not too fast.”

My jaw went slack. Confused, I looked between them both. “It's okay Gram, we'll be careful.” What the heck did she mean by that? Did she think Huck and I were... what, getting together too fast?

I couldn't have said she was wrong. Everything in my life was moving at breakneck speeds, these days.

She watched us until we shut the door. In the silent hall, Huck turned to me. His lips didn't move.

Leaning on the wall, I closed my eyes. “That was my grandmother.”

He waited. When I said nothing else, he nodded. “Okay.”

Touching my cheek, where she'd kissed me, I sighed. “You noticed something was wrong with her, right?”

Huck shifted in place, uncomfortable. I didn't blame him. “Is it like Alzheimer's? She said she hadn't seen you in forever, but you did come here yesterday... right?”

“Yeah. I did. I come and visit her once a week or so.” My tongue stuck to the roof of my mouth. I didn't know how to begin. “Gram has... brain damage.”

“That's awful,” he whispered. “From what?”

Lifting my chin, I smiled sadly. “From me.”

Huck transformed. I had a front seat to the show. His sympathy rolled into bafflement, then it took a hard corner and became disbelief. Surely, disgust would come next. I couldn't handle it, I closed my eyes. Seeing his reaction was too hard.

He asked gently, “Zoe, how could you have caused that?”

Breathing through my nose, the air came out in a rush. “I'll let you in on a secret. Not that long ago, I used to be an awful, awful person. I didn't give a shit about anyone but myself. Life was hard, everyone always says that. But for me... it was like, if I didn't do something to numb it all, I couldn't deal.”

Risking a look upwards, I studied Huck's knotted eyebrows. He was listening intently. I pressed on, saying, “I didn't even have a good reason. Sure, my parents divorced, and I hated how they fought, how they wanted me to choose between them. But so what? How pathetic is that?”

Huck was still as stone.

“I just wanted someone to care about me, for once. The first guy... I guess I was sixteen. Typical jerk, but he did it for me. He offered me attention. An escape.” Smiling bitterly, I pinched the bridge of my nose. “Fuck, I hate this story. I hate my past. I'll sum it up; I was a party girl. I drank and stuck whatever I could into my system.”

Shivering, I hugged myself, recalling the needles. Coming down off of everything cold-turkey had been a struggle. It had been six months since I'd quit, and even now, I still felt a ghost of a craving at times.

Reese had really given me hell for quitting, he'd called me boring.

That was probably why he'd cheated on me.

I said flatly, “Asshole after fucking asshole, none of those guys cared about me. I thought they did, but... I know better, now. My parents didn't want to deal with me, they said I was out of control.”

Turning, I put my cheek on the door. “But my Gram? She took me in. She wanted better for me. She believed in me, even if I didn't.”

Huxton reached out, cupping my shoulders. I winced at the contact, so wrapped up in my memories that it was hard to battle down my urge to run. He hissed through his teeth. “Zoe, calm down. You're not a bad person for partying, or for messing with the wrong guys. Lots of people do that.”

Setting my jaw tight, I met his stare calmly. “I know. I haven't gotten to the worst part of the story yet.”

He stood taller, not releasing me.

Deciding to continue, no matter what Huck did or said, I licked my bottom lip. “She really did try to get me to stop. I still didn't, I just began hiding it from her. I wanted her to be proud of me, but I was too weak to quit. I was dating Reese at the time, he loved going out and being nuts. He was so free, I guess I admired how little he cared what others thought of him. Now I hate that part of him.”

Remembering that I'd compared Huck to Reese, I frowned. Huck said nothing. I looked to the side, whispering, “Sorry.”

“It's fine. Go on.”

Nodding, I said, “Because I was hiding it from her... I wasn't ready for her phone call. It was kind of late, and I was already fucked up. She phoned me, so I stumbled outside the house I was partying at. Gram needed me to come with her. She was a good driver, but she wasn't strong enough to carry this big desk she'd seen someone giving away online. She really wanted it—she used to be a writer.” My voice fractured. “Smart as a whip. It was her only chance to get it before they'd hand it off to someone else. Well, I panicked.”

My blood was pumping with the memory. I could hear the tremor in my voice. “She needed someone, and it couldn't be me. I called Reese. She knew him, we'd been dating for over a year by then. He was... angry, he wanted to come to the party with me. I told him, just go to her house, let her drive you to wherever and move the desk, it'd be fast.”

Huck sensed my nerves, squeezing me gently. “You're trembling.”

“Of course I am. I hate this story. I can't believe I'm telling you.” Willing my lungs to work better, I gathered myself. “Reese went with her. I went back to getting wasted. His phone call came at seven-fifteen at night. I remember it exactly.” How could I forget? “Reese was freaking out. He said there'd been an accident, I needed to go to the hospital.”

Tension slammed into my temples. Reaching up, I held my skull, grimacing. “What's wrong?” Huck asked.

“This is killing me. I'm exposing how terrible I am. I let my selfishness get my grandmother nearly killed, Huck. I should have told her the truth, I should have never asked Reese to go... he was hurt, too. I thought, back then, how thankful I was that he'd been with her when she'd crashed the car.” Blinking, my tears welled up. I forced them away. “He pulled her out of the wreck, called the ambulance. Because of me, she's like this... because of him, she was saved.”

Reese. I'd had so many reasons to want to believe in him.

“Even if he saved her, that doesn't mean he gets to treat you like shit,” he said urgently. There was anger in his piercing greens.

“I know that now. But at the time, with everything... Huck, I was terrified she was going to die. When they told me how hurt she was, that she would need special treatment to even have a chance at recovering fully... I went with my gut.” A harsh chuckle escaped me. “My gut said Reese could be trusted. That he loved me. That he cared. And that was why I let him take me to meet Nehro.”

This was the memory I loathed most.

Understanding flashed through Huck's face. He let me go, staring around the place he now recognized as a special care facility. “Your debt. This is what it paid for.”

Tasting bile, I said, “Correct. This is why I'm doing everything. This is what Nehro has over my head.” Turning towards the room behind me, I lowered my voice. “He knows where she is. He could kill her if I tried to run away, and he knows I know that. It's my fault. All of this. And that's why I have to keep her safe. I'll pay off that loan... and I'll do it any way I have to.”

“That contract is bullshit.”

My memory burned, thinking of how Huck had tossed that man, Kit, onto Eliza's front lawn. 'Look—it's just how it is. Okay? She owes me the money. She has to pay, or else.' Kit had said that.

Huck had stood proud and declared otherwise.

“That day, my birthday party,” I whispered. “I think... I saw you stand up for Eliza and wondered if it was possible someone might do that for me.” Looking into his eyes, I wanted to touch him. I didn't. How could I ask for more from him? “I have to fix this. I'll endure the pain... and if no one else will stand by my side, I'll accept my fate. I'll do what Nehro wants. It's my sacrifice to make.”

I was so tired of being someone who constantly needed saving.

His fingers trailed to my neck, clasping gently, then pulling me against him. I gasped, wondering how he'd known I needed him to do that. “Zoe,” he growled, sending my goosebumps jumping. “How many times do I have to tell you?” Forcing my face near his, so that I saw the flecks of ebony in his eyes, he whispered, “I will fight for you. Me. Stop treating me like I'll disappear any god damn second.”

I stuttered. “What? I'm not—”

“You are. I can see it when you look at me. The edge of your sad smiles... you still think I'll abandon you like Reese did. That I'll see through you and hate what's there. Well,” he said, brushing his nose on mine. “I see all of you. I know the truth. And I'm still right fucking here, wanting to kiss you and hold you and rip apart the men who have made you cry.”