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Jenny interprets and Henry hesitantly leans his placard against the chair before folding himself into it. He starts signing. His body language, as well as his angry gaze, tells me he’s not singing my praises.
Jenny stands slightly behind him, eyes trained on what he’s signing. I wait without rushing them, knowing from my experience with Yaya that Jenny will relay his words to me as accurately and professionally as possible.
“I’m going to repay you for what you did,” Jenny interprets.
“Ah. Threats.” I slide the coffee over, realize they’ll need their hands to sign, and ask, “Do either of you want a straw?”
Jenny conveys my offer to Henry who glowers at me. I’m guessing that’s a no.
I jut my chin at heryou?
Jenny shakes her head nervously. At any moment, she might faint. Athena really should have sent someone with more gumption. Or at least someone who didn’t wear her emotions on her sleeve. Though I guess, that’s what makes Jenny so effective as an interpreter. She somehow manages to come across as both competent and emotionally invested.
Henry signs, his eyes piercing me with fury.
“I’m the one who destroyed your car and if anyone should pay for it, it’s me.” Jenny pauses to watch Henry again. “Yaya would never date a hearing person. I know you threatened her, and I’ll make sure the world knows what kind of man you are.”
What kind of man I am.
After dad died, there was a period where I asked myself that very question. Who was I without my rock?
A workaholic.
Someone desperate to make a name for himself and failing.
Someone who couldn’t stop working, traveling,goingfor a second or the loneliness would engulf him.
My phone buzzes.
Yaya: If you cancel the contract, you’re dead.
Something electric snaps through my heart and I set the phone down calmly.
“You want to know who I am, Henry?”
Henry frowns at me.
“I.” I sign what Athena taught me. “Am. Yaya’s. Boyfriend.”
Nostrils flaring, Henry shoots to his feet.
My bodyguard steps forward threateningly.
I hold a hand to stall him.
Facing Henry again, I smile. “Now,” I gesture to the chair, indicating he should sit, “let me show you what that means.”
CHAPTER10
a galaxy away
YAYA
Mom’s head volleys back and forth as Deej and I argue. She’s not as fluent as dad, and they’ve both been getting rusty since I moved away.
Deej’s new daughter is deaf, so she’s had plenty of opportunities to brush up on her sign language.
Sadly, my sister is mistaking me for Niko.
