Page 133 of Wallflower

“You don’t know!”

“For someone so big and strong, you’re awfully scared.”

“Shut up.”

“Awe, big man, did I hurt your feelings?”

He frowns comically, not bothering to answer.

“Listen, if a sea monster attacks us and pulls you away to another dimension, I’ll save you.”

“Really?” he quirks, shocked and uplifted by my response. It’s sad he thinks he isn’t worth saving, having never been rescued before.

“Yes, you’re not getting away from me that easy.”

“Woah! You sound a little obsessed, should I be worried?”

“Nah,” I reply, advancing on him, “I think you like it.”

“Do not.”

“Whatever,” I huff. “Come swim.”

“No.”

“Scaredy cat.” I taunt, splashing him across the chest with the chilly water.

His eyes narrow to slits, though he fights to keep his smile under control.

“Pussy,” I tease, kicking more ocean water his way.

Ripley launches himself at me when the last letter rolls off my tongue, and I dart away, dipping below the surface before he can grab me.

The rising sun creeps onto the horizon, lighting the depths of Rose’s eyes the way I always knew it would.

After frolicking like a bunch of juveniles in the surf, I pulled a blanket from the duffle bag and spread it out on the sand. There, beneath the rapidly disappearing stars, I told her every detail of the initial plan. Her part in it as my way in, and why I’m not burning Bleakcrest to the ground. It’s never been my intention. I relayed my worry about the subject. How my team will be angry with me for taking over instead of abolishing it because I never told them the whole plan.

I expect Rose to be upset with me as well, but since we’re still looking for Chelsea, she’s tolerating it. I’ll make her, as well as everyone else, see that it’s a smart move. Not only did I justmake a massive expansion from small drug ring leader to head of a criminal organization, but if I do it right, the workers will be willing and well taken care of. Meaning, trafficking in my area will come to a stop.

I can have it all, I just have to play my cards right.

Honestly, I didn’t expect to get this far. Never in all my years of battling Maximus for every scrap he allowed, did anyone get one-up on him. I expected to be put down like a sick dog once he figured out who I was.

“So, was that all for show the first day?” she asks, infiltrating my worry.

“No,” I reply.

“So you really would’ve used my blood as lube?”

Inwardly cringing, I forgot I said that. “Yes, I would have. You didn’t mean something to me then. I wouldn’t do that to you now.”

“Why not?”

“Because the thought of hurting you makes me sick.”

“What if I asked you to?”

“I don’t know. That’s different, I guess.”