Page 119 of Terror Tuesday

Sitting back, I realize where she’s going with this. But she needs to understand how much she means to me. “You. I was waiting for you to catch up.”

“Because I’m yourinwith the president.”

“Yes.”

She stands up, shoving the bench back with her thighs, and tosses her hair over her shoulder as if she’s ready to run.

“You used me. You only cared about the mission. Waited until I wasreadyby killing Blackwell first, then what? You forced my father to appoint me. So you wouldn’t have to kill him? So I wouldn’t have to kill you?”

“It didn’t become apparent how dire things were until you got the assignment to kill me. Now, if youdon’tdo that, Olivia, they willkill you. The only way I’m going to protect you is by ending the man who gave the order. And you’re going to help me.”

Her mouth closes, thoughts warring across her forehead, but she doesn’t have a response.

When I stand and edge closer to her, she takes a step away from me. My hand reaches for hers as I tell her, “I know what you’re doing. You’re trying to push me away because you’re scared. You think this isn’t real or that I’m here because I want to save us from the Seven… You’re right. I do… But you matter more to me than all of that.”

“Tell me you needed mebroken. And compliant. Easy to point like a weapon at your enemies…Just like them.”

Anger flares up my cheeks until they redden. “Not at all. I wanted to show youwho you truly are. Tougher than them. And someone who wants to take them downwith me.”

My voice is steady as I remind her of who she is. “I saw the girl who positioned herself towinan election in high school despite the odds. The one who exposed Hunter for who he truly was. On camera. I watched you walk into the catacombs alone, with nothing but a knife and your fear—and still demand the truth from me. You held that blade tomythroat when you thought I’d make you give up Elliot. And Reggie? You didn’t hesitate.”

Taking a step closer, I plead with her. “So, no, my love. I didn’t fall for the perfect, pliant version of you. I fell for the girl who’s been clawing her way out of the cage since she was fifteen. I didn’t create her—Iwitnessedher evolution.”

She’s quiet now, swallowing the words and says softly, “ButIdidn’t know…”

“It was in your writing. In between each line…”

“And yet you pretended like this was love.”

I jolt with fury. “You think this wasn’t real for me? You think I didn’t read and watch and wait for you and not fall for you?”

“It wasn’t love.” Her voice is low now, venomous. “It was strategy.”

“No,” I say, calm but certain. “It was war. And I picked the only queen with the fuckingspineto rule beside me.”

She opens her mouth, but I cut her off.

“You can hate me right now. But I still know the truth. You feel safest when someone takes the reins. When your world is collapsing, you need to surrender. So here’s what we’re going to do…”

“I don’t trust you.”

“You will…” I’ve heard enough, and her reverting to that scared creature I knew has me standing up and snapping my fingers. “On your knees.”

Her eyes widen as she balks. “What?”

“You heard me. Youworshipme now. You don’t trust me? Fine. Don’t believe me yet? Okay. But youwillobey until I prove to you how much you mean to me.”

She hesitates and glances at my sweatpants. The thing is, when Olivia retreats, she needs someone to command. It’s how she feels safe. When she’s small and scared, she wants someone to take over until she feels like she can be unbreakable again. And I’ll show her just how much I own her until she submits.

“You don’t need to trust me yet. Justsurrender. I’ll hold the weight until you’re strong enough to carry it again. So either you do as I say, or I make you.”

Her bottom lip juts out in a challenge, which makes me jump into action. I snatch her waist and then grip her hair with my other hand, helping her lower to the ground.

“Valen…” she says breathily, full of hesitation.

I grip her cheeks tightly in my hand. “What was that?”

She blinks once, heat and desire glossing over her eyes as she corrects herself. “Master.”