I don’t respond.
She grinds her heel further, ripping through my dress pants and drawing blood. “You are nothing without me, Chet! Do you hear me? You and your little friend would still be picking cans out of the garbage if it weren’t for me. Do you understand?”
I look down.
She grabs me by the neck, forces me to look her in the eyes. “This will be your last strike, Chet. You know better than most that I don’t believe in second chances. Because of your stellar service record, I have looked the other way for several weeks now. That ends today. Do you understand?”
“Yes.”
“Yes, what?”
“Yes, my Queen.” I bend down and kiss her hand. She responds by prying my mouth open and sticking three of her fingers in it. I run my tongue up and down her fingers in reverence. She moans.
She removes her fingers from my mouth, wipes them dry on her bodice. “Thank you, Chet.” She checks her watch. “I’d love to stay and discuss this further, but I’m due at the Jade Sanctum. That will be all.”
But that wasn’t all.
Because when I came home that night, a surprise lay in wait for me.
In my bed, lying against the pillow, eyes closed as if in a deep sleep…was the head of my best friend in the world, Timothy Mann.
A drop of liquid forms at the edge of my eye and slips down my cheek.
Is this…sorrow?
I’ve read about it, but I’ve never experienced it until now.
My lips twist against my will into a grin. Every emotion evokes the same physical manifestation from my oral cavity.
This is a final warning from Her Majesty. One more toe out of line and it’ll be my head next on the docket.
All this time, I thought I was immune.
I was the one who could play with Her Majesty. Push her buttons.
But now she’s drawn a line.
Even I am not allowed to cross her.
I gave my purity to her.
I gave my life to her.
And it wasn’t enough to save Tim.
I cradle the head of my best friend in my hands and then kiss it on the lips.
I will do what I must to bring Her Majesty to her knees.
I will achieve justice for Tim, for all the others. Even if it means taking myself down in the process.
I know now where my allegiances lie.
At least… I know where they lie for the time being.
32
BIANCA
