Chapter 6: A long Conversation About Honesty

I sat in the metal chair across from Theo exactly as Riven had ordered. The cold seeping through the seat made my skin crawl but I kept my back straight and my eyes fixed on a point on the wall above my brother’s head. Theo’s breathing was uneven. I could hear it even though I was not allowed to look at him.

Riven walked slowly between us with his hands still in his pockets. The silence stretched until it felt heavy enough to crush something.

You have been lying to yourself since the moment you signed the contract, he said. You told yourself it was only about protecting Theo. You told yourself you could stay detached. You even tried to tell yourself your body was not responding to me. All of that was a lie.

I kept my mouth shut.

Answer me when I speak to you, Riven said calmly.

I forced the words out. What do you want me to say?

The truth would be a start.

I do not know what truth you are looking for.

He stopped in front of me. The truth is that you felt something the first time I touched your neck. The truth is that you came harder on night two than you wanted to admit. The truth is that part of you is already curious about how far I will go.

My face burned but I refused to look away from the wall. You enjoy listening to yourself talk.

I enjoy watching people stop pretending, he replied. Especially you.

Theo shifted in his chair. Riven turned his head slightly toward him.

Stay quiet, he told my brother. This conversation is not for you yet.

Then he looked back at me. Someone close to you handed me that letter for a reason. They want to see if you break. They want to see if I break you. I have not decided yet which outcome I prefer.

I finally met his eyes. You expect me to believe you do not already know who it is.

I know exactly who it is, Riven said. I am simply waiting to see how long it takes you to figure it out. That is part of the game.

What game?

The only one that matters. The one where you slowly realize the contract was never the real trap.

He walked over to the small table against the wall and picked up a glass of water. He took a sip before setting it down again.

You will sit here until morning, he continued. You will not speak to your brother. You will not ask about the letter again tonight. At dawn I will decide whether Theo leaves with you or stays longer as insurance.

My hands curled into fists on my knees. You already have the letter. You already have the evidence against him. Why do this?

Because you still think you can outmaneuver me with silence and pride, Riven said. I am correcting that belief.

He pulled another chair over and sat down across from me so that we were almost knee to knee. The proximity made the air feel tighter.

Tell me something honest, Nora. When you came on my cock last night did you hate me more or hate yourself more for wanting it?

I stayed silent.

I can wait all night, he said. I have nowhere else to be.

The fluorescent lights hummed above us. Theo’s quiet breathing was the only other sound. I could feel Riven’s eyes on my face like a physical weight.

I hated both, I finally said.

Progress, he murmured. We will get to the rest before sunrise.

He leaned back in his chair and watched me with that same calm, focused attention he had shown from the very first night. The hours stretched ahead of us like an open threat. I knew that by the time morning came something inside me would be different. I just did not know yet how much of myself I would have to lose to keep Theo safe.