Victor gives me a smug smile.
“I’m not afraid of your brother. That’s not what I meant.”
I wait patiently for him to explain.
He takes a deep breath.
“I can’t be away from you. Somehow my body and mind want to be close to you all the time. I don’t know what’s going on with me, but the moment you walked in, my body stopped obeying me.”
Whoa. I thought it was just me. I’m glad to know he’s as affected as I am. My heart leaps into my throat. But…
“It doesn’t change anything.” I guess I said this out loud.
“You’re safe here.”
“No, I’m not. And neither are you or Alek or Abi,” I snap, and regret it immediately. I clear my throat. “Sorry. Can you please not mention this to Alek?” Maybe I can distract him.
Victor stares at me for what feels like minutes. I shuffle my feet.
“Hmmm… this is the second time you’re asking me to keep something from Alek.”
I won’t be able to leave if Alek finds out. Victor rubs his chin and grins.
“I can keep your secret, and the other one, but you’ll have to do two things for me.”
“Uh-oh.” I press my lips together.
Does he expect sexual favors? No. I don’t want to believe he’s like that. I draw a sharp breath and release it.
“What are those two things?” My voice comes out shaky.
“One, you have to promise you won’t run away again. And two… you have to go for a jog with me every day for the next two weeks. If you want to run, we can run together.”
I don’t want to run for the sake of it. I have to runaway. He doesn’t get it.
My pulse is rapid, but when Victor leans the side of his body on the wall next to me, my heartbeat triples.
“I don’t think I should be here,” I whisper. My stupid body completely turns to his, facing him.
“Stay,” he whispers back. And his voice is not demanding or controlling anymore. He’s pleading with me.
Would he try to stop me if I try to run away again? Deep down I believe so. And it terrifies me. But a girl can hope. I’ll have to find another opportunity.
“You’re blackmailing me.Again,” I tease.
“As long as it works.”
“Why do you want me to stay?”
“So that you can work out with me.”
I laugh. “Seriously? Why?”
“I hope you get the same feeling that I get when I work out. I want to show you.”
I raise my eyebrows.
“Empowerment. It’s the same feeling I get when I fight. Knowing I’m in control.”
