“Why should I help you?” Asch asks, crossing his arms against his chest. “I don’t evenknowyou, Blaze.”
The hurt slams into me, but I bury it quickly, focusing on my anger instead. “Don’t know me? What the fuck. We’ve been friends since middle school. Are you really going to throw all of that away because of Pandora?”
“You’ve been lying to me foryears,” Asch replies, his voice quiet, and I can hear the mirrored hurt in it. “You were never going to tell me about the… thescholarships.” He laughs again, bitter and hard. “And selling women? What the fuck is she even talking about, Blaze? Is that why you don’t want me to be part of the family business? It goes that far beyond prostitution?”
“Untie me first,” I say through gritted teeth. “I’m not talking about anything while I’m bound and my cock is out.”
He crosses over, and he pushes my cock back into my underwear before pulling up my pants. He zips them up, then takes a step back. “That’s all you get for now. I want answers, Blaze.”
“It’s not about the women,” I say. “Some do end up as prostitutes. But it’s about power and influence. And that’s all I’m saying. You aren’t…” I fumble for the words. “I’m trying to protect you, okay? If Pandora can get under your skin so easily, then clearly?—”
“Excuse me?” Asch snaps. “You think she’d be able to get under my skin like this if you hadn’t been lying to me the entire time we’ve been… been… God, we haven’t even beenfriends.”
“You’re my best friend!” I shout. “What shit has she been feeding you?”
“Were you ever going to tell me about my dad?” he demands. “Your family’s been building up leverage against me all this time, and you never bothered to warn me. Do you really think your father was going to… what? Let me walk away from all of this?”
“If you don’t want any of this, then why the hell were you so pissy when I told you to get a fucking normal job after we graduate?” I start undoing the knot around the bed, which isn’t even that secure. If I’d struggled more, I might have been able to get it loose while they were fucking me.
“Ididwant this!” he snarls at me, watching me as I unfasten the knot. “I wanted to be there to protect you, and keep you safe from your own fucking self. I was just stupid, that’s all. But don’t worry. I won’t be that dumb again. And you don’t have to worry about me and my messes. I’m getting arealjob and getting the fuck out as soon as I can.”
Asch storms out of the room.
“Fine!” I yell back at him. “Don’t let the fucking door hit you on the way out!”
I hear his bedroom door slam down the hall.
“I don’t need you anyway,” I mutter as I try to unsnap the cuffs.
I have to stay angry.
I need to focus.
I can’t break down because of a stupid little fight.
This is for the best anyway.
This way, I’ll never have to worry about anybody delivering Asch’s head in a box.
11
RIVER
Every time I go for the knife in Pandora’s hand, she pulls it away. I could overpower her and take it by force, but probably not without getting that knife between my own ribs.
Would she really have gone through with stabbing Blaze? Would Asch have stood by and watched? I know they’re fighting, but I can’t imagine Asch abandoning Blaze entirely.
On the other hand, being friends with Pandora hadn’t stopped her from getting her dads to mutilate my hand.
People change when they’re pissed off.
“Give me the knife, Pandora,” I tell her, still aiming to keep my voice calm and level.
“Not until you give me your finger, River,” she answers, smiling. “You promised.”
“The knife first,” I say, smiling back at her. “I’ll keep my word.”
Pandora shakes her head and backs away from me. I notice the lack of her warmth instantly, and I hate how much I enjoy having her pressed against me.
