Page 93 of The Vixen

I nod. “Yes.”

“Then don’t be acowardwhen I give it to you.”

Air traps inside my lungs for several seconds while I stare at a serious expression I wish was fake. It loosens a stitch somewhere inside of me, tugs free a feeling I refuse to analyze—let alone express.

“I don’t want to talk about it.” My hand trembles in his grasp. “Please…Don’t try to make me.”

His face falls. His chest pulls backward with a sigh as his thumb traces a straight path across the back of my hand. I can’t tell if I should pull away.

“What was the plan, Luna?” He frowns. “Did you think you were going to take me for a jog, run me by a treehouse, and magically perk me up?”

“That’s exactly what you expected of me, isn’t it?”

Thumb dipping over my knuckles, he finds my ring and subtly nudges the bulky, green jewel. Like he’s reminding me of another moment we shared—he and I in a bath, his finger sliding over my naked knuckle.

We have the same favorite book,he’d said. It was a blatant attempt at false connection, but at the time, I’d felt more naked than when he’d removed my clothes.

I know you.

I see you.

I am you.

All with a simple nudge.

“That was before I knew you. And before I knew about the pedophilia.”

“As if it would’ve changed your mind,” I spit, though there’s too much emotion in my voice to sound angry. “All you wanted was money.”

“And I got it.” He dips his chin. “Yet here we are, bridges flooded.”

I’m quiet for several moments while I frantically search his eyes, trying to stay ahead of a game I’m not sure we’re playing anymore.

Real?

Not real?

I don’t know. I’m not sure I’ll ever know.

A shaky inhale vibrates my trachea, but I still don’t pull my hand from his.

“What do you want?” I ask, my voice so broken it’s as if I’ve forfeited the match.

You should’ve known this would happen.

My brain plays the words on a loop while I stare into my opponent’s eyes. He doesn’t smirk. He doesn’t frown. His face stays perfectly serious as he speaks, like this is a business deal. To him, maybe it is.

“I want Persephone out… I have a contact on the outside who will gladly take her the moment I make the call. No police. No news crews. And in her place, I will provide five age-appropriate women who will accept a place within your society. I already have someone fresh lined up. Aubry makes two, and I have three more women from my island in mind. Brittany, Amara, and Priya.”

Slowly, I lean back to distance myself, if only an inch. “What about Liberty?”

“Liberty goes with Persephone… And me.”

Now,finally, I get the strength to rip my hand away. My feet carry me back a step. “You aren’t eventryingto hide it anymore? You’re just going to come right out andtell meyou’re escaping?”

“I’m not talking about escaping. I’m talking about you letting me go.”

“Sawyer.”