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I see his eyes widen in the darkness. “I really didn’t even know I would see you tonight. I’m glad I did, though. You were incredible.”
My resolve falters, my heart aching to be held by someone who cares, by this man who makes me feel warm, who cheers me up at my worst. “Tell. How can I trust you?”
“Because I’ve been there for you. Watching over you. Keeping you safe.”
The words are contrite. A generality most people say, placating a stilted lover.
But from Tell…
It all clicks into place.
Dirk, the biker at the Block. Before that, at the docks, another one of the dealer’s men I only now remember standing off in the shadows, watching. Running into me at Ora’s. The strange man following me the day I got out of jail.
He’s been everywhere, traces of him all over town.
Always nearby.
And here tonight, as the mayor’s awkward son.
“That’s… insane, Tell.” I see the word hurt him before it's out of my mouth. “Who do you work for?”
He recoils ever so slightly, evading the question. “Please, Hellena, let me… let me get you home safely.”
“No, no! If you care about me at all you will tell me the truth, Tyler.”
A choked sigh slips out, his shoulders sagging. “I am telling you the truth. I'm not loyal to my father. I'm not loyal to the Ghosts or the Block. I'm only loyal to one person other than you, Hella.”
“Who's that?”
“I don't know their name. All I know is a callsign. Spite.”
“Spite. As in the Sinful?” the pieces line up.
“I think so. I gather information for them to make decisions. I make sure they know everything that goes on in Sanctum.”
“And tonight?”
“I was left completely in the dark about this. You have to trust me.”
“How? How can I trust you?” A tear slips down my cheek. “You're a different person from one minute to the next. You follow me everywhere I go.”
“You've seen through each and every time. You've seen the real me.”
“There's no way for me to know that.” My words stutter, catch on my tongue. I don’t want to mean it, to lose another person I love tonight.
Tell steps in. He's too close.
I want to let him in. I want to trust him.
I want him to hold me, to kiss me, to take me away from all of this.
So, I let it happen, the kissing, the embrace. His scent and warmth and touch consume me. My frazzled senses need the distraction.
He starts to press me against the wall, cupping my ass, barely covered by the sheerness of my skirt. A little whimper slips through my lips. “Tell, I need…”
His lips steal my words, swallowing my hurt, my fear.
For a single moment, I feel free.
