Page 155 of The Next Lie

I hold my ground. Mostly.

“I am not a plan you get to execute,” I say, craning my neck to look up at him when he closes the distance between us.

“I know that.”

“I am not an assignment.”

“No.”

“I’m not Delia.”

His face closes at that. His voice drops. “You know there was nothing there. Don’t use her against me out of lack for anything else.”

We’re close enough for me to see the scar through his brow, the dark focus in his eyes, the way his control has started to look less like calm and more like a locked door under pressure.

“Then stop sending me letters like you own my survival.”

“I do own some of it.”

My breath catches. He does not back away from it.

“Little Ghost was mine. Ash was mine. Every letter you wrote back came to me. I know what that makes me, and I will answer for it. But do not stand there and pretend those words mean nothing because you are angry with the man holding them.”

I shove him. He lets me.

The fact that he moves half a step irritates me, so I shove him again. This time, he catches my wrist.

“Careful, little ghost.”

“Do not tell me to be careful.”

“You’re shaking.”

“With rage.”

“I know.”

“You don’t know anything.”

His grip tightens just enough to stop the lie. “I know you kept my letters.”

My stomach drops.

“You arrogant⁠—”

“I know you smoothed the first one out because the crease bothered you. I know you read the second twice before throwing it away.”

I twist against his hold. “You’re impossible.”

“And you are finished pretending you don’t want me.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

REVA

I go still. The silence after that is mean and hot.

“Say that again,” I dare him.