Page 53 of Cara

Isaac nudges my arm and I realize I’ve been drowning him out. At this time of night, the tourists have long gone home. Only a select few from the complex chose to come. Victoria dragged me here.

You need to let loose.

Smile, for fuck’s sake.

Isaac is interested. It’s plain as day.

Victoria’s words echo in my mind as I glance to my side and see the towering giant of a man she referred to, patiently awaiting my answer, rubbing the crook of his neck. I look down and nod. “Yeah, it’s good to get out.”

“You’ve been doing well.”

I massage the bruises on my arms. “I feel stronger.”

“You know, everyone here has a story. Something they’re running from.” He grins slyly. “Tell me yours, and I’ll tell you mine.”

I scoff. “As if you don’t already know mine.”

I’ve shocked him. Victoria said that wouldn’t happen. His lips press together as he rotates on the stool to look at me. “And what makes you think so?”

“Victoria told me you gave her intel about my father. Yesterday, you almost called me Sophia. You caught yourself.”

His smile broadens. “Your sister seriously underestimates you.”

“How long have you known?”

The humor he’d found in this banter fades when he truly sees my reaction. My expressionless face regarding him like an enemy.

“Your sister came to me before she went to you, fearing for your life. I helped her locate you… I knew about you before you even stepped through my door.”

I nod, having suspected it. His gaze was too direct then. I should have figured it out sooner.

“You probably feel betrayed,” he says, glancing at Victoria,who falls off her stool, saving her drink before it spills. Neither of us move to help her, letting the others handle it.

“I would have needed to trust you to feel betrayed, Isaac.”

He doesn’t like that. At all. His gaze falters as I stand, tossing down enough money for the glass I didn’t finish. “I’ll head back first.”

“Sophia—”

“Don’tevercall me that.”

I'm throwing on my coat, stomping through mounds of snow when he catches my arm, whirling me back toward him. “I know everything about everyone here. You don’t get that?”

“I get it.”

“Then why are you angry?”

My stare is unwavering. “How much do you know?”

He grabs my arms, struggling for a few seconds to find an answer. “I know the world is fucking awful. I know it’s been cruel to you. That’s what I know.”

Shoving him off, I turn, leaving him behind.

“You don’t know…anything.”

“Hit me,” Isaac demands, his arms outstretched.

I circle around him, planning my next strike. He tracks my movements, shaking his head. My fist connects with the underside of his forearm, which is shielding him. I drive my shoe into his knee and as he stumbles, his hand grabs my thigh, stopping me from retreating.