Page 32 of The Silencer

“It is. I’ve already eaten. Gobbled it right up.”

I grin at him and then set my laptop down, grabbing on to my fork and knife and cutting into it. The first bite melts in my mouth, and I realize that I haven’t eaten in ages.

Anthony shocked the hunger right out of my system. It’s now, upon placing food in my mouth, that I realize my stomach has been eating itself since noon.

I inhale the entire plate, pausing only to gulp down the fizzy water Angel brought me.

“Oh god, my stomach,” I say, holding the little bulge that appears through my shirt. I give a small burp and then another. “I’m going to barf.”

“I mean, you swallowed twice the entire time.” I grin at him salaciously, and he giggles. “That’s not what I meant, you heathen.”

“It sure sounded like it. If I didn’t know how innocent you are…”

“I am,” he says with a pout. “I’m so innocent, it’s ridiculous.”

“And you’re surrounded by all these hot dudes all day. How do you manage it?”

“It’s a struggle, but imminent death if someone touches me deters them from coming close to me.”

I snort, and Angel wiggles closer to me.

“One day you’ll find someone, I promise,” I say, pulling him into a hug.

“Maybe,” he says and then sighs, resting his head on my arm.

“I’m honestly probably going to end up in an arranged marriage.”

I scoff at that. “What makes you think that? Diablo and Skylar weren’t arranged.”

“No, they weren’t, but Diablo can take care of himself. I’m different. I know that.”

“Your dad would never,” I try to reassure him. “He’s so protective of you.”

“I know, but I’ve overheard him talking about it before. I think it’s in my cards.”

“Fuck that. No,” I say, feeling anger bubble up within me. No way is Anthony going to marry Angel off. Angel deserves love, he deserves to be happy.

“You deserve to be married for love. I’ll die on that hill.”

Angel peers up at me, his blue eyes twinkling.

“Thank you. I sure hope so, but I do realize, in this world, some things are out of our control.”

I purse my lips and grab on to his hand, linking my fingers with his.

“I will fight for you over this.”

“I appreciate it, but it’ll be fine. Anyways, I know you have to go see my dad, but after, would you like to go on a moonlit walk with me?”

“Oh, how romantic.”

“Just you and me, baby,” he says, pressing a kiss to my cheek.

It’s nothing romantic, not at all. Just two people who’ve found platonic friendship in one another. Besides Ben, Angel will always be my person.

“Well, and Ben,” Angel amends. I swear, he can read my mind. “Has he called?”

“No, you?”

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