“I am.”
“Then let my people come.”
“Your people helped you destroy yourself.” He continued, “You’re not getting a phone either.”
I scoffed. “You love controlling women. That’s why you went and got five of them.”
“I love keeping people alive.”
He leaned forward slightly.
“Zay, Emily, and your nephew are coming to stay here for a few weeks. You won’t be alone.”
That made something shift inside me.
Zay.
The only person in this world I halfway trusted.
I tried not to show the relief.
“Now come here.”
I frowned. “I don’t want to be close to you like that.”
“Stop acting like you don’t need love right now. I’m not going to try and fuck you,” he said. “Just come here.”
I hesitated before I slid out of the bed.
The floor felt cool under my feet as I walked over.
He reached for me and pulled me gently onto his lap, so I was straddling him.
Normally, that would’ve sent me into panic mode.
But his hands didn’t move anywhere inappropriately.
They just rested lightly on my back.
Waiting.
So, I started talking.
Quiet at first.
“I’m scared.”
The words felt foreign in my mouth.
“I don’t trust my family,” I continued. “I don’t trust you either.”
His hand moved slowly up and down my back.
“I know.”
“My mom’s a piece of shit,” I whispered. “My dad too.”
Silence.
