Page 72 of Blood and Thorns

“You even allowed in here?”

I jumped up, dropping my book and losing my page.

“I’m not even allowed in here,” Chip continued, standing in the doorway.

“Bloody hell, you can’t sneak up on me like that!” I eyed him warily, wondering whether he was blowing hot or cold today. “Are you okay? You haven’t been around lately.”

Chip regarded me cooly. “Do you care about me or the fact I’ve been checking up on your dad?”

“That’s not fair.” I hadn’t seen Chip since the night of the docks, and he was my only connection to the outside world. “You’re my only friend here.”

His eyes were intense when they met mine. “He’s fine. Still at the garage and living above in the flat.”

“He is?” I couldn’t tell if I was relieved or worried. He’d usually run as soon as things got sketchy, so what was making him stay? “Thank you for checking on him. I can’t explain how much I appreciate it.” It was like a weight lifted off me, and my eyes prickled with tears that he was still alive. That he’d stayed in the same city.

“Do you want me to get a message to him?” Chip asked, his tone lighter, almost eager.

“I… Just tell him I’m okay.”

Chip cocked his head, still standing in the doorway. “I want to apologise about what I said before, about spreading your legs. I was angry and shouldn’t have taken it out on you. I’m sorry.”

The memory of his words heated my cheeks. “It’s fine.”

“No, seriously. It was out of line, and you didn’t deserve it.”

He finally took a step inside, eyes darting around theroom. Chip pushed back the ribbons of the closest canvas, staring at the distressed art.

“You do realise you’re expendable, right?” he said, voice low. “We all are. Just staff. Tools. Told what to do, when to speak, and when to disappear.” Without warning he shoved the canvas, and it hit the ground with a loud crack. “Nothing but pawns on his chessboard.”

I tried to move past him, but his hand lashed out, gripping my upper arm like he couldn’t let me walk away from the truth he was trying to force on me.

“Let go of me,” I warned, surprised by his burst of violence. “Chip.”

His grip didn’t tighten, but he didn’t release me either. “Why do you let him hurt you?”

“He doesn’t hurt me.” Well, he hadn’t hurt me against my will. Which just showed how messed up my life had become. Even more so than it was before.

“So you actually want him to touch you?” Chip watched me, his expression empty and his eyes lacking any light.

“That’s none of your business.”

“You’re worth so much more than a whore, Ara. You’re literally in the home of one ofthe most powerful men in the city, and you what? Choose to read all day and then spread your legs at night?”

“That’s enough.” I finally pulled my arm free, anger making my face prickle with heat. “Where the hell is this coming from? I thought we were friends.”

“I thought you were like me, here because you have no other choice.”

“You keep painting me as some pathetic damsel, but I’m not. Yes, I chose to be here. Ichoseto take my father’s place, knowing I’d be treated like a whore, just like you called me.And you know what? I’d do it again if it meant my father lived. You have no fuckingideawhat I’ve endured, so don’t you dare judge the choices I’ve made to survive.”

I managed to get past, my footsteps quick as I left him behind.

“What is it about him?” Chip snapped after me, but I was already moving. “You’re closer to my age than his. He’s a fucking decade older, Ara.”

Guilt and betrayal burned behind my eyes as I raced back to my room. It didn’t matter that he could follow me; I just needed space to think. To breathe without judgment from my only friend.

Crashing through the door, I came to a halt when I found Sebastian looking through my notebook.

“What are you doing?” I snapped, panic twisting my stomach at the drawings I’d made of the penthouse. Of the possible exits and hiding spots. “That’s mine.”