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“Little bee,” I say calmly as I put a hand on the back of her neck. “Your MMA career isn’t over.”
As soon as she swallows her pasta, she pushes more vegetables than she should into her mouth. Her cheeks puff from her full mouth, and I shake my head laughing.
“At some point there will be no food left, and you’ll have to talk to me.” She coughs after swallowing and drinks some water.
“MMA isn’t my favorite topic of conversation. Change it.”
I look at her features for a beat, not liking the sadness I see in them.
“Stop looking at me like that.” She shifts in her seat, uncomfortable.
“Like what?”
“Like you pity me.”
“I just don’t like seeing you upset,” I admit, my hand caressing her neck.
She barks a sarcastic laugh. “Liar.”
“I like seeing you at my mercy, but I don’t like seeing you upset. There’s a difference.”
She squirms, trying to nudge my hand away by rolling her shoulders. When she fails, she shifts her chair a little further away from me. I let go of her only to move my chair too, following.
“God, Caden,” she huffs. “Stop this whole trying to be nice and seducing me thing. We’re enemies. I know ‘us’almost happened, but reality has caught up now. We’re never going to leave this place and be happy somewhere else. Do us both a favor and accept it. I’m going to serve in that shitty diner for the rest of my life, living with my dad, and you’ll rule your gang until it kills you. That’s just how life is.”
My voice is a few shades darker when I answer. “I will not be ruling any gang. I’mnotstaying here.”
“Sure. That’s what you say. But you just stabbed Xi because he raided your dealer’s house. Sounds like someone who’s into gang shit to me.”
“I stabbed Xi because he didn’t listen to my warning. I told him to stay away from you. I told him whoever touches what’s mine, dies. He’s fucking lucky he’s still breathing,” I hiss low.
Her lips flatten together, and she goes rigid without saying anything.
“You’re giving up, Billie. That’s not you. Keep training, keep fighting.”
“I don’t want to,” she snaps back.
“You say that, yet you still run every morning.” She goes to say something, but I cut her off. “Yes, I fucking watch you like a creep. Get over it. You still don’t drink any alcohol,” I point at the glass of water she’s holding firmly. “You still count your calories to make sure you don’t lose weight. A portion of carbs, steamed vegetables, and protein. Sounds like someone who still wants to go through rigorous training to me.”
“It-it’s just a habit,” she babbles her lie.
“You lost a fight, little bee. Everyone needs a humbling session when they think they’re invincible. You got yours. Now get back out there. Because let me tell you something, I will keep saving and studying to leave the North Shore, and you will keep fighting. Oh, and I will also keep making you mine while you secretly enjoy it. These are facts. Don’t just get familiar with them. Accept them.”
She doesn’t say anything, simply looks right at me. It seems we can’t stop returning to each other’s eyes tonight. I don’t know what she sees in mine, but I’m starting to see the fire of hope lighting in hers as a proud feeling envelops me. I did that. I gave my girl hope.
25
BILLIE
Body - Rosenfeld
Caden is holding my hand as we walk out of the restaurant. There’s a tension in my lower stomach from the simple fact that his skin is touching mine. The words he said during dinner made me feel all sorts of things.
I hate him for what he did to Xi. Although I’ve always hated Caden; there’s nothing new there.
I thought I would lose that weird feeling I’ve started to have for him after he hurt my family. I’m ashamed that I didn’t.
His dirty words still make me feel hot and bothered. My chest still warms when he speaks softly to me. And tonight…he made me feel hopeful again.
