Chapter 55
Once outside, I let go of his wrist, which he rubs to ease the pain.
“You could control your strength. Not all of us went through intensive training to become killers. Why’d you drag me out here? We’re going to miss the party.”
“Do you realize you’re surrounded by criminals? Why did Alexander invite you? Since when are you two friends? Why did you agree to come?”
“Calm down or you’re going to give yourself a heart attack. Keep going like that and you’ll have wrinkles before your time from frowning like that.”
I shoot him a death glare. He raises his hands in a sign of peace.
I’m aware of the risks in coming here.”
‘It sure doesn’t seem like it! These people are dangerous!”
‘Maybe, but these people are going to be a part of my life now.”
I look at him, confused. He walks toward me, removes his mask, and places his hand on my shoulder while looking me straight in the eyes.
I feel trouble coming.
Alexander invited me to this party because I work for him now. Standing in front of you is the IT guy of Alexander Graves’s gang.”
I think I’m going to pass out or collapse.
“Tell me you’re joking!”
I’m serious. Everything I just said is the pure truth.”
I take a step back and glare at him like I want to kill him.
“What’s wrong with you? What made you agree to work for him?”
He clenches his jaw while I hold back from smashing everything around me.
“Stop yelling, Inara.”
“Do you realize you’ve made the biggest mistake of your life by taking this job? Alexander is a toxic person–you can’t trust
him!”
“I know what I’m doing.”
“This isn’t a movie, and it’s even less a game!”
He clenches his fists and looks at me, bewildered.
“Why are you reacting like this? Might I remind you–you’re a weapons trafficker!”
“You think I’m proud of that? I do it because I have no choice! You can do anything with your life, and you choose to
become a criminal?”
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Chapter 55
His turn to shoot me a murderous look.
“I’m not going to kill anyone! All I have to do is manage accounts and do research! Alexander believes in me–why don’t you?”
Because I know Alexander is a globally wanted criminal, completely insane and addicted to power and money.
“Alexander has nothing but harm to offer you!”
“My salary is ten times higher than what I made slaving away in prison!”
“This isn’t about money!”
“I’ve busted my ass my whole life just to avoid ending up on the streets! I’m not giving up this job, even if it could land me straight in jail!”
I clench my fists and resist the urge to slap him into reality.
“Alexander is going to ask you to use your tech skills to hack the personal data of inhuman people who won’t hesitate a second before blowing your brains out!”
“Alexander protects his own! He’s grateful that I saved his life in the prison freezer! He sees me as an asset to his gang!”
“Maybe he protects his own, but he’s not invincible or immortal!”
23
I step closer, locking eyes with him. The tension is suffocating. We’re practically killing each other with our glares. Maybe it’s not my business, but I can’t let him ruin his life. If I’d had a choice, I would’ve done things differently.
Mathieu is a good guy. Since I came back from Italy, we’ve talked a lot on the phone. He’s become a real friend.
I wish someone had stopped me from entering the world of crime back then. He can do way better than this crap and get out another way.
“You think he’d take a bullet for you?”
He looks at me, troubled.
“You’re starting to seriously piss me off.”
“Answer the question!”
I move aggressively toward him and stop short.
“Stop acting like you’re my mom. I already had one–and she’s dead! I don’t need your help or your moral lessons when your hands are just as dirty as Alexander’s!”
Why won’t he understand I’m trying to protect him?
“The difference is I fully own who I am, while he’s a manipulator! You think I’m saying all this to hurt you? I don’t want you to be collateral damage!”
“Just because I can’t kill someone with my bare hands doesn’t make me weak!”
“Don’t put words in my mouth!”
“You think so loud I can hear your thoughts! Let me live my life!”
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I bite my lip to stop myself from saying something cruel I’d regret later.
“Did you tell Alexander you’re gay? What do you think will happen when he finds out?”
He looks at me, hurt. I feel awful, but it’s too late. I’d rather he hates me if it means he stays alive.
“Mind your own business.”
23
“Most of the guys in his gang are macho idiots who love comparing their bodies or fighting to see who’s got the biggest one! They’re closed–minded men who will never accept having…”
I stop myself before using an inappropriate term.
“Finish your sentence! You were going to say fag, right? Or maybe faggot? I may not sleep with women, but that doesn’t make me less of a man!”
How can he think I believe something like that? I’m not like that.
I never said that and I never thought that! You worked in a prison, you know exactly what those kinds of guys are like!”
‘I accept who I am, and at least I have no issues with myself, unlike you!”
I look at him, confused, then step back, but he steps forward with a threatening aura. He grabs my wrist. He doesn’t hurt me, but I’ve never seen him this enraged.
You’re broken inside! You can’t express your emotions, and you’d rather shut down than show you care about someone! I don’t know what happened in your life, but it clearly shaped the person you’ve become!”
My chest tightens, but I don’t show it.
You don’t know anything about my past, and I suggest you don’t talk about it.”
You speak to people with arrogance and stay on the defensive so no one gets close–because you’re afraid!”
Idench my jaw.
I’m not afraid of anything, you hear me? Let me go before I break your damn hand.”
My voice is threatening.
“You think I don’t know you could crush my hand? What are you afraid of? You’re afraid of abandonment–that’s why you don’t want me working for Alexander! You’re scared I’ll get close to him and forget you! I’m your only friend! You’re terrified of losing me, but instead of admitting it, you insult me! You take responsibility for nothing!”
“I swear it would be best if you didn’t push me to my limit
“Take Alexander, for example! You’re dying for him to screw you every way possible, but you keep your distance because you’re scared he’ll get into your life and then disappear without warning!”
I yank my wrist out of his grip and hold myself back with everything I have not to slap him.
He keeps going:
“You’d rather die than admit you’re sexually attracted to him! I don’t know much about whatever relationship you two have, but I know if you weren’t so full of fear, you’d let him fuck you and enjoy every second of it!”
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Chapter 55
I raise my hand to slap him, but it’s stopped mid–air. I look up at my wrist and recognize that ring.
“Don’t do something you’ll regret.”
Alexander.
