Page 197 of Villainous Rise

“Annie, look at me,” I murmured, cupping her face and turning it toward mine. “Just me.”

Behind me, I heard Havoc’s voice, low and urgent. “Cipher, you’ve got her?”

“Yes,” I replied without turning.

Havoc moved quickly to check on his protégés while I focused entirely on Annie. Her body shook with sobs, tears streaming down her face. I pulled her against my chest, wrapping my arms around her as if I could somehow shield her from what had happened.

“I’m sorry,” I whispered against her hair. “I’m so fucking sorry. This is my fault. The EMP pulse—I didn’t think⁠—”

Annie’s fingers clutched at my suit, desperate for something to hold onto. “It felt good,” she whispered, the words barely audible. Another sob tore through her body. “It felt so good to make you stop. To make you both do exactly what I wanted.”

The self-loathing in her voice shattered something inside me. It was unbearable to hear. I tightened my arms around her and crushed her against me. I wanted to absorb the guilt right out of her skin. Of course it had felt good. She was magnificent.

“I’ve got you,” I told her. I pressed my mouth hard against her temple. “It was an accident. It was my fault. You never have to touch it again. I’m right here. You leave the darkness to me, Annie. I’ll be the monster so you never have to be.”

“Check my cuff,” she begged, her voice breaking. “Please, check it again. Make sure it’s working.”

I activated the Hammer again, scanning the circuitry of her dampener cuff. “It’s fine,” I assured her, running my thumb across the smooth metal surface. “It’s perfectly fine. The power is contained again.”

She nodded frantically and I pulled her back against me, resting my chin on top of her head as she continued to cry.

I sensed movement and looked up to see Helios approaching us. His usual radiance was dimmed, face ashen. He moved like someone recovering from a severe shock, each step careful and measured.

I tensed, ready to fight if necessary. If he said one word, made one accusation that would hurt Annie further, I’d tear him apart.

Helios stopped a few feet away, his eyes fixed on Annie’s trembling form in my arms. I shifted slightly, angling my body to keep her face hidden from him.

“Don’t,” I warned, the single word carrying all the threat I could muster.

Havoc glanced at Helios, his expression unreadable. “Go inside. I’ll be there shortly.”

Helios hesitated, his gaze lingering on Annie.

“Now, Helios,” Havoc said, his voice harder.

Helios finally turned, shoulders slumped as he made his way toward the rooftop access door. Valor followed behind him, moving mechanically. His eyes remained vacant, his face slack and expressionless.

Havoc knelt beside us and placed a gentle hand on Annie’s shoulder.

“Annie,” he said softly. “Look at me.”

She turned her face toward him, her eyes red-rimmed and haunted.

“You did nothing wrong,” Havoc told her, his voice firm but kind. “You stopped a fight that could have ended very badly. You protected everyone on this roof.”

“I used it,” she whispered. “I swore I never would.”

“And you wouldn’t have if the circumstances hadn’t forced your hand.” Havoc’s gaze shifted to me briefly, a silent accusation I couldn’t argue with. “The cuff is working again. You’re safe.”

Annie nodded, her breathing gradually steadying.

“We should go inside,” Havoc said after a moment. “And Cipher, if you try to start anything with Valor, I will put you through a fucking wall. Understood?”

I didn’t even look at him. My eyes were on Annie, on the tear tracks staining her cheeks, on the way her fingers clutched at my suit like she might drown if she let go.

“Fuck Valor,” I said quietly. “Annie is the only thing that matters. Ever.”

Havoc must have been satisfied with my answer because he didn’t say anything else. I rose with Annie, keeping my arm around her waist to support her.