Page 77 of Allegiant

Stepping back, I feel his hands slip from around me. “Um, no, I’m not doing that. I barely know you. You barely know me. I’m not going to stay here. Especially not for a week or two.”

His hands fist by his sides like he’s going to reach for me. They lift, but at the last second, he stuffs them into his pockets. “Why not?”

I realize we’re having this conversation right in front of Harley. His snoring has stopped, and the last thing I want is a witness to this discussion. I nod toward the door, and when Samson doesn’t get the hint, I grab his arm and drag him out of the room.

When we’re in the hallway and completely alone, I let go of him and take a step back. I worry that if I keep touching him, things will spiral out of control.

More so than they already have.

“You were saying?”

“Well…” I wet my lips. “I have a life. I can’t just be sequestered in here. Honestly, I could get lost just walking around. You’d have to send out a search team to find me. It would be a whole thing.” The joke falls flat.

“Neo has this whole place hooked up to a central camera system. We’d know where you went.”

“Is that how you knew I was in here watching a movie?”

“No, he messaged me.”

I chew on my bottom lip. “Well, as gorgeous as this place is, I really can’t stay here. It’s a nice invite, but I have a life. I have work and friends and…Larry.”

His eyes narrow. “Like I’ve said before, Larry is fucking fine on his own.”

I search for another protest. “And this is much farther away from the studio than I’d like.”

“I’ll drive you.”

It’s my turn to fold my arms across my chest, widening my stance and pursing my lips. “I said no.”

He mimics my stance, and I see the stubborn set of his jaw. “Fine.”

Well, that was entirely too⁠—

“But I stayed with you for two days. Four days if we count last night and today. I distracted you…gave you what you need, and now I want the favor returned.”

My mouth drops open. Is he really going there? “Are you negotiating with me? Blackmailing me?”

“If I have to. I prefer blackmail. It’s more fun.”

My lips turn down, and I find myself oscillating between shouting and laughing. This is so fucking ridiculous. “So, what do I have to do to make this fair, then?”

“You stay here with me. Four days, just like I did with you.”

I should argue more, I know this. It’s insane. But also…when was the last time I did anything insane? Reckless? Selfish?

I know the answer to the last one. The night I left Adam alone.

And he died.

Maybe more distraction isn’t a bad idea after all. “Is sex included in this deal?”

“Yes. Of course.”

I stare at him, and he stares back. “Fine. Four days here and then we’re even. But after that, we’re done. I’m not talking to you ever again.”

Really, I’m being ridiculous. I haven’t been able to stay away from Samson so far, so what makes me think that’ll change with spending more time in his vicinity? I have to try though, to make a little protest. For my dignity.

Samson surprises me with his reaction. He lets out a loud laugh at that and then stalks toward me, my legs carrying me backward, my body hitting the wall with a gentle thump as he reaches up and rests his hand on my throat.