Page 184 of Villainous Rise

I took a deep breath, trying to find the right words. Something that would make her understand without dismissing her feelings.

“Annie, all of this,” I gestured to my arm where the masking implant was hidden, “That happened before you. Before us. The implants to hide what I am were a necessity. I wouldn’t have survived intact otherwise.” I paused, searching her face. “And everything else? No one cared about me when they happened.”

Annie jabbed her finger directly at my right arm, toward where the Hammer was implanted.

“That happened when I cared about you. I may have been angry and half-way hated you, but I cared.” A tear escaped, trailing down her cheek. “I always cared, you idiot.”

“Annie,” I said softly, stepping toward her slowly, giving her every opportunity to back away if she wanted.

This time, she didn’t push me away. She stood there, tears streaming down her face, looking simultaneously furious and vulnerable. I reached up carefully, brushing my thumbs across her cheeks to wipe away the tears.

“I’m sorry,” I whispered, meaning it more deeply than I’d expected. “I never thought about how my actions would affect you because I’ve never had anyone who cared enough to be affected.”

Her eyes searched mine, still wary but softening around the edges.

“I know better now,” I continued, keeping my voice low and steady. “My life isn’t just mine to risk anymore. It’s yours. Every breath, every beat of my heart, every drop of blood. It all belongs to you. I won’t damage what’s yours again.”

I watched as the tension slowly drained from her body, her shoulders lowering from their defensive position near her ears. The fire in her eyes didn’t extinguish completely, but it banked to a smolder rather than a blaze.

When I was reasonably certain she wouldn’t push me away again, I carefully pulled her against me, wrapping my arms around her. For a moment she remained stiff, but then she melted against me, her face pressing into my chest as her arms circled my waist.

“You’d better not,” she mumbled against me, her voice muffled but still carrying a hint of that fierce protectiveness that had startled me so much. “Because if you pull something like this again, I swear⁠—”

“I know,” I murmured, pressing my lips to the top of her head. “I would carve the machinery out of my own flesh before I let it be the thing that drives you away. Message received, Bishop.”

I rested my chin on the top of her head, content to stand in the middle of the room and hold her for as long as she needed.

Annie suddenly jolted in my arms, her body tensing as if she’d been shocked.

“Wait. How much did you hear earlier? When I was talking to Havoc and the PR team?”

“Nothing,” I admitted.

Annie just gave me a skeptical look.

“I don’t listen when you’re with Havoc. I watch the video feed.” I shrugged. “No audio.”

A small smile tugged at her lips. “That’s not very stalkerish of you. I expected better.”

“I’m still fucking watching you,” I pointed out dryly. “I think that qualifies as adequately creepy.”

Her smile widened, and I felt that familiar tightening in my chest. It was ridiculous how much power this one woman had over me.

“Why?” I asked, suddenly curious. “What did I miss?”

Annie’s expression shifted, a hint of nervousness crossing her features. “The engagement with Valor is over.” She hesitated, her fingers fidgeting with the edge of my chest panel. “Well, it will be. In two months.”

Two more fucking months of watching her pretend to be with that narcissistic prick, of seeing his hands on her, his face next to hers in photos, his name linked with hers in headlines.

I forced my jaw to unclench, burying the immediate, violent need to fly to the Tower and rip Valor apart. I needed to keep my shit together so I didn’t terrify Annie.

“Two months,” I repeated. My voice came out a rasp despite my efforts to control it. “If he touches you outside of PR requirements, I will break every bone in his hands.”

“Hey,” she said softly and reached up, her palm cool against my cheek. “I know it’s not ideal. But it’s a definite end date. And they’ve agreed to a ‘mutual breakup’ narrative, so neither of us looks bad.”

I nodded, leaning into her touch. “I can handle two months,” I said, more to convince myself than her.

I glanced at the time. The search algorithms would take hours to complete, and I had blood to spill tonight. The League season didn’t pause for my violent domestic urges, and I needed to maintain my standing.