If someone gives me crumbs, I’ll demand the whole loaf. And if they refuse, I’ll leave them to bleed out and smile as I walk away.
“Have you gone mute?” Rebecca sneers, which is funny, honestly, considering who she is to my brother. A couple of well-timed tears and he’d have her sent straight to the compound.
“Did you ask a question?” I shoot back, knowing they didn’t. Rebecca’s cheeks flush a violent red as she shifts on her feet and looks to the floor.
“God, she’s insufferable,” Maya exhales sharply.
“And yet,” I reply smoothly, adjusting the strap of my bag on my shoulder, “you keep approaching me.”
Quinn doesn’t react immediately. She studies me, her head tilting slightly as if she’s examining a stain that refuses to lift. She’s trying to intimidate me. I’d think it was cute if it wasn’t so annoying.
“It’s fascinating,” she says after a moment, “how quickly desperation turns into arrogance.”
“If that’s what helps you sleep, Quinn.” I smile faintly as her sharp gaze flicks to my forearm.
“Tell me,” she continues, her voice almost conversational, though I can hear the barbs beneath it, “did he explain why he chose you?”
The question throws me off. Rebecca perks up as Maya folds her arms tighter. My eyes narrow on Quinn as I mirror Maya’s stance. Quinn’s lips twitch.
“That’s what I thought.”
She lifts her arm slightly, the skull on her forearm angry and red beneath the light.
“Skulls build empires. We run logistics, weapons, systems. We make sure this machine doesn’t fall. What exactly does a Swallow do, besides suck cock?” she snarls and Rebecca lets out an exaggerated laugh.
“You’re replaceable,” Maya adds. “Fourteen of you were left unclaimed. That should tell you everything.”
I grit my teeth, trying not to react, but I feel it again. That subtle twist beneath my ribs. Fourteen girls waiting for their marching orders. Fourteen girls who weren’t good enough because of their position. The thought that I’ve cheated death, or that I’m not enough for Roman, rises in my throat, and I force it down before it can show on my face.
Steeling my shoulders, I look at them one by one, tilting my head slightly just to taunt them.
“Yet here you are,” I say calmly, “worrying about the one Swallow who was promised.”
“You think this is worry?” Rebecca scoffs as Maya shifts on her feet.
“I think,” I reply evenly, “if Roman wanted two skulls to choose from, he would have picked them.”
Quinn’s jaw tightens, only slightly, but I see it. I’m trained to see it. She might think being a Swallow is just sucking cock, but she’ll never understand how much training it takes to createwhat we are. She’s a glorified scientist. Me? I’m a man’s worst nightmare wrapped in honey.
“My daddy and his have already discussed the contract,” she says, steeling her shoulders and I scoff. Anger flashes in her eyes at the sound, her hand trembling as her nostrils flare. I half want to walk away to stop this from escalating, but I’ve never been good at backing down.
“You wouldn’t understand,” she snarls, stepping closer and I brace on instinct. “You were just optics. He needed to make a statement. Choosing the damaged girl sends a message.”
My pulse stutters at the worddamaged. What does she know? Is she just calling me damaged goods because I’m a Swallow, or is there more to it? I wouldn’t put it past her to have leverage. She’s an only child. I doubt her dad would risk his bloodline by going in blind.
She steps closer until her body is almost on top of mine, her nose scrunching like she smells something foul.
“It makes him look merciful,” Rebecca smiles cruelly, I glance over Quinn’s shoulder at her.
“Roman understands alliances, he understands bloodlines, and he definitely understands what strengthens power,” Quinn sneers. “And you, sweet littlefairy, are at the bottom of it all, whilst I am at the top.”
“Are you trying to tell me you’ve been sold by your daddy?” I respond, her nostrils flare like an angry dragon. “Sweet little cunt, that just makes you a prostitute like me.”
I step forward, lowering my voice at her ear.
“At least I get to kill mine after I’m forced to suck their cock. You’ll just be glorified property for the rest of your life.”
I see the slap before I feel it. The crack echoes louder than it should. My head turns with the impact, my hair shifting over my shoulder. A stinging bloom spreads across my cheek, warm andsharp, as I inhale softly through my nose before looking back at her.
