Page 81 of Villainous Rise

Around us, the walkway’s edges faded to black, and suddenly we were surrounded by a projection of stars and distant galaxies encircling us in a dome of artificial space.

I struggled against the body holding me down, my hands pushing against an immovable chest.

“You’ve fucking run long enough.” Cipher’s voice cut through the simulated cosmos, low and dangerous against my ear. His mask pressed against my cheek, the hard edge of it digging into my skin.

“Let me go,” I gasped, still fighting to catch my breath.

“No.” His grip tightened, one hand pinning both my wrists above my head. “I’m done watching you run, Annie. From me. From yourself.”

I gasped for air, my lungs burning with each inhale. I realized with horror that hot tears were streaming down my face. Not the silent, dignified kind either—ugly, messy sobs that shook my entire body.

“Annie.” His voice softened, but his grip remained firm.

Before I could respond, he kissed me. I cried harder against his lips, not because I didn’t want this—I wanted it more than anything—but because I was falling apart at the seams. Every wall I’d built, every lie I’d told myself, crumbling.

I’d spent months convincing myself I hated him. Months telling myself I was better off without him. Months running.

He pulled back just enough to speak. “I’m yours. To fuck. To fight. To keep. However you want me.”

I blinked up at him, tears still falling, unable to say anything.

“But there’s one thing, Annie.” His thumb brushed away a tear from my cheek, the gentleness at odds with his iron grip on my wrists. “One thing I need you to do. Stop pretending you don’t want me.” The words came out like a command, but underneath I heard the desperate plea. “Fight me on anything else. Tell me I’m an asshole. Tell me I’m wrong about everything. But not this. Not anymore.”

He released my wrists but his body still pinned mine to the ground. The projection of stars reflected in the dark surface of his mask, making him look like he contained the universe.

“I’m not letting you run from this anymore. I’m done watching you tear yourself apart trying to convince yourself you don’t feel what I know you feel.”

I twisted beneath him, trying to summon the anger that had sustained me for months. “Get off me,” I hissed, pushing against his chest.

“No.”

“You don’t get to decide this,” I said, my voice breaking. “You don’t get to just kidnap me and expect everything to be okay.”

“I’m not expecting anything to be okay.” His weight shifted, pressing me harder into the walkway. “But I can’t watch you destroy yourself any longer.”

I turned my face away from him, the digital stars blurring through my tears. “I don’t forgive you. I can’t.”

“I’m not asking for forgiveness.” His fingers gripped my chin, forcing me to look at him. “Hate me all you want, Annie. But let me give you what you fucking need.”

“And what’s that?” My voice was acid. “What do I need, Cipher? Since you know me so well.”

“This.”

His mouth crashed against mine, taking. No gentleness, no asking permission.

Something inside me snapped. I bit down hard on his lower lip and he groaned into my mouth. He bit me back, catching my bottom lip between his teeth and tugging until I gasped.

My hands threaded through his hair, tangling in it, pulling hard enough to hurt. I wanted to hurt him. Needed to hurt him. Needed him to feel something, anything, as intense as what was tearing me apart.

“That’s it,” he growled against my mouth. “Fight me. Hate me. Just stop fighting yourself.” His hand slid up my thigh, bunching my dress at my hip.

“I hate you.” My voice broke on the lie.

His thumb traced my hipbone, dipping beneath the edge of my underwear. My back arched involuntarily, my body betraying me even as my mind struggled to maintain control.

“I hate what you did,” I said, my breath catching as his fingers traced higher.

“That’s fair.” His mouth moved to my neck, teeth grazing my pulse point. “Hate me. Hate what I did. But stop punishing yourself for wanting me.”