Page 38 of Double Standards

“Then why didn’t you tell me about it?”

“Because I don’t need it anymore.” I crumple the card in my fist to prove the point.

Cooper doesn’t back down. “What’s he sorry for?”

“It doesn’t matter, Coop.” My jaw tightens. I can’t tell him about Axel’s venomous words, about how I found myself cornered yesterday. That conversation would only spiral into suspicion—and I’m not ready for that.

“Why are you protecting him?” Cooper’s voice is colder now, stripped of any kindness.

“I’m not!”

“Yes, you are. He’s a prick and you’re still sticking up for him!” Cooper sneers.

“Cooper, just drop it.”

“No! I told you not to get involved. Did I not say this was a bad idea?”

“Yes, and I told you I can’t say no. What if they kill me? Would you be happy then? At least then I wouldn’t be working for him.” The words spill out before I can stop them, raw and desperate.

Cooper’s eyes darken. “Death’s better than The Five,” he spits.

That’s it. It’s like a cruel déjà vu, only I’m not facing Axel — I’m facing Cooper.

“Go fuck yourself, Coop!” I storm toward the door, grabbing my coat and keys on the way. Rage burns through me like a wildfire, fueling my urge to scream. The stairs blur beneath my feet until I burst into the cold night, chest heaving, heart pounding.

I freeze when I feel the weight of eyes on me. I don’t need to look to recognize the dangerous presence. I know it well.

“What do you want, Axel?” I huff. I don’t think I have the energy for another argument with him today.

He steps into the streetlight’s glow, calm as ever, ignoring my question like always.

“Cassie, what’s wrong?” His voice is low, threaded with genuine concern; smooth and dangerous all at once.

“Nothing. It’s stupid.” My voice cracks as embarrassment and frustration wash over me. I bite back tears, trying to keep the walls intact because the last thing I want Axel to see is me upset. I meet his gaze, firmer this time. “What are you doing here?”

He doesn’t answer. Instead, he holds out his hand. “Walk with me?”

I glance back at my apartment—warm lights glowing like a trap. Then back at Axel’s hand. I’m stuck at a crossroads, deciding which torture is worse; walking with Axel in the dead or night, or going back to Cooper for another argument.

Resigning to the former, I take Axel’s hand, nodding once before sniffing away the sting in my eyes.

He pulls me gently along the sidewalk toward the park. We walk slowly, deliberately. The dark folds around us like a cloak, smothering any awkwardness. We’re isolated from the rest of the world. It’s just us and the noise of the city in the background.

“I’m sorry about today,” Axel breaks the silence first. His voice is softer than normal, wary, like he’s afraid I might break. “I overreacted.”

He stops walking, I pause my steps along with him, taken aback by his second apology of the day. This has to be some kind of record.

“And last night... I shouldn’t have said what I did.”

The path splits ahead: one way to a deserted playground, the other winding through shadowed trees and empty benches. In daylight, the park is magical—a place I run when the world spins too fast. Tonight, it feels like the magic has been ripped out and I’m walking dangerously into the unknown.

Our breath hangs in the cold air, little clouds dissolving like ghosts. A chill runs down my spine and I curse myself for forgetting a jacket.

Axel looks almost scared—or maybe just vulnerable. Like those words weighed heavy on his tongue.

The air between us is thick, stifled by something unsaid. I hate the look in his eyes, but I can’t look away. He wants forgiveness.

“Did Trigger tell you to say that?” I tease, a small laugh escaping me.