Page 34 of Sweet Poison

Icouldn’t sleep.

Couldn’t stop sweating either. Every breath felt like it came through a furnace. My skin itched with heat and restlessness, like my nerves were trying to claw their way out.

I grabbed my phone.

Louis

Cassian, what the hell, man? Did you really need to take it that far? Is all of this really necessary?

No response. Thirty seconds… a minute…then finally?—

Cassian

I never said the game would be easy, besides you were the one who volunteered for this.

Louis

Under duress!

Cassian

Please, you’re just as intrigued as I am. How is it? How is she?

I kept all details to myself.

Louis:This weekend, then?

Cassian

You like her.

Louis

I tolerate her. I’ll be ready for the meeting. Don’t try anything stupid. It’s my ass on the line and hers—and your only way for the truth.

Bullshit! He knew I didn’t stick out my neck because I wanted to—I had no choice, and vengeance was a powerful thing.

Cassian

There are rules. They’re going to test you.

Cassian

I need you to figure things out.

Cassian

She needs you to look like the hero protecting her at all costs.

Cassian

I don’t see how any of this is a problem.

Except—it was.

I cringed.

I was using her. And she, with all her arrogance and sharp retorts, thought she was the one in control. That she had the cards. When really?