Page 139 of Relapse

“When Blair came looking the first time, I almost handled her the same way I handled Brynn.”

My knees nearly buckle.

Dagger’s grip tightens so hard Noir’s voice rasps when he continues.

“Would’ve been cleaner. Easier. Brynn’s loose end coming home with questions and grief and enough resemblance to make everybody uncomfortable.”

He smiles at me.

“But then you noticed her.”

Dagger’s eyes flicker.

Noir leans forward as much as Dagger’s hold allows.

“And I saw what she did to you.”

My stomach turns.

Noir’s voice drops.

“You looked at her like she’d crawled straight into your bloodstream. Like you would burn every fucking thing around you if it meant keeping her warm.”

Dagger says nothing.

He doesn’t have to.

We all know it’s true.

“And that’s when I realized she was useful.”

I flinch.

Useful.

Not loved.

Not wanted.

Useful.

Noir sees it and his mouth curves again.

“Don’t look so hurt, Blair. You made it easy.”

Dagger slams him back into the wall.

“Don’t fucking talk to her.”

Noir coughs, blood staining his teeth.

“She came back to Severance Point like a girl begging to be destroyed. Drinking. Snorting whatever strangers handed her. Dancing like death was flirting with her.” His eyes cut to me, sharp and cruel. “You didn’t care if you lived or died.”

My throat tightens.

Because I want to argue.

God, I want to argue.