Page 34 of Marks of Rebellion

"Of course you don't. No one will tell us anything, so none of you should expect any help."

Zoe crosses her arms and tilts her head. "Does that include Vanessa?"

You're such an idiot.

"You don't need to answer that." She pats Dirk on the cheek. "Your stock just went up, country boy." She turns to leave.

Crap. I like Zoe.

I reach for her arm. "Zoe."

"Don't touch her," Dirk growls, and I release my hand.

She spins and raises her eyebrows.

"Sometimes I'm a dick. I'm sorry."

She smiles. "Yeah. Sometimes I'm a diva. You're forgiven." She winks and turns again.

"Zoe." I call out.

"Hmm?"

"Will you tell me when I can go in and see Vanessa?"

"Sure. You need to suck it up and make nice with Julieta though."

"Fine," I grumble.

She smirks. "Don't worry. I've had to do it a lot. I'll coach you on what to say."

I snort. "Deal."

She leaves, and we watch her until she is inside the tent.

Dirk points to the fire. "I think those pancakes are burnt."

"Oh shit," I mutter, and the three of us move to the bonfire pit and take care of disposing of the burnt food.

Ryker hands me a bowl. "Guess we're on food duty."

We make up without saying a word and cook enough food for the entire camp, including the guys on the team who are guarding the perimeter under Kalim's orders. Malin and Emilia come by and they volunteer to deliver them a stack of pancakes.

The entire time we cook, I rehash every moment I've spent with Vanessa. Every jump or flinch or retreat away from me I replay. I wish anything I've done wrong to cause her to react that way would light up like a red blinking light, but it doesn't.

Confusion over what I've done to harm her eats at me.

I need to figure this out.

Stop moving my hands.

Stop talking so rough.

Put her needs first.

I said I would never hurt her. I promised her.

It hasn't even been twenty-four hours, and I broke my promise to her.