Page 55 of A Taste Of Truth

And they’re my thoughts of misery without her.

Silence fills the room after that, giving me nothing but my view of ice and snow and visons of her to occupy my mind. She was something no other person had been before her. I don’t even know why. Strength, honour? Infallible civility perhaps in the midst of her chaotic madness. Caring, nurturing somehow, as if everything could be solved by truth and honesty and, god forbid, love.

My fingers go to my temples, perhaps attempting to massage the indecision away. My world isn’t truth or honesty. It is deception and fraud, often times brokered with trickery and dishonest deeds. In fact, without her, I am those things. I am that man – have learnt to be. Rendering myself differently for her would be a lie she doesn’t deserve because I would take her down with me eventually. I would make her play my games rather than let her get too far inside.

And she would break.

I would break her.

Pretty Alice. Special Alice with her wildfire and hot flowers.

My mouth curves into a smile, memories of her at my feet relaxing me again. It was nice. Calm. Quiet. I could breathe with her. Live. Even with that little blade of hers at my throat, it meant something. I was starting to understand it – feel it in the pit of my stomach. For once, it wasn’t about the fucking or the games. It wasn’t about her body either, no matter how perfect it was. It was about the way she is, about the reality she offers me regardless of my actions.

My head lolls to the side at the thought, wondering if he’s still here or if he’s abandoned me like he said he would. “Gray?”

“I’m not here.”

I nod and look back out my window, marginally thankful for his presence so I can muse out loud. “If she was more relevant than I’m admitting, would it be right to take her from her simplicity and ask her to be something other than she is?”

“No.”

“Not even if she could change everything?”

“I think that would be her decision to make, Malachi. She has a right to make it.” I nod again and smile, following a few birds in the sky as they fly by. “But I doubt you’ll get the chance now she’s been taken.”

I will.

I don’t think I’ve finished with her yet.

Chapter 19

Ally

It won’t be long before this plane hits the ground. I know it, and this jerk looking all smug with himself knows it. Not that he is entirely. He’s been quiet and not the least like I expected he would be if he really is Tommy’s cousin. I might even say he’s attractive, but for the fact that he’s kidnapped me from a kidnapper, which is going somewhere close to pissing me all the way off now. I’m still looking at his gun regardless. If I could just get him wound up about something it might help, but he’s like a cool storm barely acknowledging my existence opposite him.

And that’s not helping me make a move.

“This isn’t fair,” I mutter, looking out the window.

“You killed my cousin, Alice. No one thought that was fair either.”

“Your family killed my father, and then Tommy thought I was something to be played with because I was alone. I wasn’t. Tit for tat.”

“Tit for tat?”

“Yes. Someone had to get revenge. I got it.”

I see him smile slightly from the corner of my eye, which confuses the fuck out of me given this situation. “He was an asshole, but he still didn’t deserve to die. You should have gone for my uncle. This would all be finished if you had.”

“No one could get to him. We both know that.”

“True. Certainly not from your level anyway.”

My hackles, which are already on fucking alert, turn indignant. “What’s that supposed to mean? My level?” That’s like being called a breed. Faith said that. The bitch of a wife. She called me disgusting.

“Scum, Alice. Back ally street rats. That’s what you were back then, and I assume it’s what you still are now.”

I sneer and look out the window again, watching as the ground gets closer and closer to us. Level? Breed? Fury rages in the pit of my guts, making me grumble and mumble to myself. I don’t like it. Any of it. Goddamn assholes all over the planet making people feel beneath them, using their wealth and greed to diminish worth. I’m not worthless. Never have been. Wish I had my little blade to do something about it. I’d cut him now, drive it deep and hard to make sure he never enjoyed his self-importance again. I’m not nothing. Better than that.