Page 78 of False Comeback

“Whose needy little slut are you?”

“Y-yours. Yours.”

“That’s right.”

I squirmed in my seat and rubbed my face. In some ways, it almost felt like he’d… claimed me. And then discarded me.

“As long as it takes for us to make a breakthrough,” Corey said, impassioned. Then he added in a more soothing tone, “There’s no need to be nervous, darling.”

My nostrils flared, spine snapping straight.

“I’m not nervous,” I rasped, forcing myself to push all those bleak feelings away. I refused to let Vince see them. I refused to show him that he had any power over me.

Fuck him, I thought viciously, gripping the armrest tight. Fuck him. He doesn’t get to do that to me.

Exhaling a slow, silent breath from my nose, I sat back and crossed my legs, trying to look as casual and relaxed as possible. I glanced down at my outfit. I hadn’t wanted to attend this in workout clothes, so I’d changed into a pair of soft linen trousers and a tight, sleeveless turtleneck that showed off my arms and hugged my chest and flat stomach nicely.

Not that I was trying to look good for anyone. I just liked to dress well.

“I’m sure Vince will be here soon,” Corey said in that same low, overly soothing voice as he leaned forward and poured water from the jug on the coffee table into two glasses. Then he discreetly nudged a box of tissues closer, and I had to hold back a snort.

If he expected either of us to cry during this, he was going to be very disappointed.

“Tell me how last week was for you while we wait,” Corey said in his therapist voice, crossing his legs as he leaned back and gave me an encouraging smile. “How are you finding it with the new wrestlers in our midst?”

I shrugged lightly. “Fine. The Beast and the Ghastly Boys don’t talk much. I haven’t really interacted with John.” And I had no desire to. “But I get on well with Eloise—La Dame Blanche. She’s very pleasant.”

“Oh, lovely.” Corey looked pleased. “Yes, I have noticed you two talking often. Maybe you could start teaching me French, darling. Such a romantic language.”

“I’d be delighted to,” I said politely, then couldn’t help but add, “I know six languages, including French, Italian, Mandarin and the ancient dialect my ancestors spoke in Otherworld.”

“A true polyglot.” He smiled warmly at me. “I’ve always thought you’re such an interesting person, Crossbody. I really think you and Vince can find some common ground to bond over.”

I tensed, trying not to picture him looming over me on that leopard print bed, his cock pounding inside me, his rough voice calling me his little slut and making me cry out in pleasure.

“I don’t think Vince and I have anything in common,” I said, voice slightly strained.

“Maybe not on the surface, but I’m confident we’ll find something.” Corey paused, then gestured at the room. “You’re both here, for one. Both passionate about wrestling and performing.”

“I suppose,” I muttered.

“So there’s that. Your love of the sport and the stage. And maybe…” He cast about for something else. “Maybe your childhoods were similar in some ways.”

I snorted. “I grew up in a palace in another world, one archaic and very different to this. I have no idea about Vince’s childhood, but I think I can confidently assume he was not raised the same way.”

Which was not something I pitied him for in the least. It wasn’t something I felt made me better than anyone. My childhood had been cold and lonely and lacking in the things a child needed. Like knowing their mother loved them and wanted them for more than just what they could give her.

Queen Galantha was only concerned about two things: her image, and making sure her royal bloodline continued. If one of her children—and I had been that child—compromised either, she was utterly ruthless in rectifying the situation.

Outside of that, she couldn’t care less.

My ears twitched when I picked up the sound of footsteps getting closer—almost dragging reluctantly—in the corridor outside. When a quick knock sounded on the door, my pulse leaped and my fingers tightened on the armrest.

“Enter,” Corey called, smiling over at the door as it opened and Vince slunk inside.

Heat prickled under my skin as our eyes briefly met, his so dark and opaque, before he looked at Corey and managed a very forced smile.

“Hello, Vince,” Corey was saying in his therapist voice. “Please take a seat.”