Page 2 of Fractured Onyx

"The truth," she produces under a heavy breath. "She needs to know, Nate. After what you put her through, and for what is still to come. She deserves to know."

An angry growl oscillates deep within my chest, and my first instinct is to yell at her, to make her apologize for her betrayal, because that is what it is. Betrayal. I trusted her with dangerous knowledge about myself, because I needed a confidante in this. I needed her to be that confidante, because of her role in my scheme. And so far, she showed herself worthy of that trust, at least as far as I know.

Until now.

I feel betrayed and furious. But I also know she's right. And I hate that.

"What did you tell her exactly?" I ask. "Did you tell her everything?"

Lailah sighs, slowly shaking her head as she takes in a breath of air that seems almost desperate.

"I only told her what she needs to know," she says. "It's up to you whether you fill in the rest of the blanks in this picture."

She casts me an urging look, her eyebrows raised. "And I'd suggest you do."

"I didn't ask for your advice, Lailah," I remind her, retreating while I put the cloth away. "Especially when you're taking such risks without talking to me first."

The sigh she lets out is marked by heavy effort. "Yeah, I know. It was your secret to share, Nate. But what would you have said if I'd asked you first?"

"I would've told you to keep your mouth shut."

"Exactly," Lailah produces, adding an amused huff. "At least this way I didn't actively disobey any orders and-"

"Yes, you did!" I cut her off. "I told you no one in the Covey can know!"

A triumphant smile spreads across her pained face.

"Exactly," Lailah says. "But she's not part of the Covey, is she?"

I glare at her. "Do you really think you can get away with this on a technicality?"

"Yes, I do. Also, I don't think there's anything I need to apologize for. It was right to tell her, not only because it was fair to her, but because it may change her outlook on this whole endeavor. She may be more likely to go through with this if she knows what she's doing it for—or who. She may like you better for it."

I don't care for the side-eye she's throwing at me right now, one eyebrow slightly raised and a smirk playing at the corner of her mouth.

"I'm not trying to impress her," I insist. "I just need her to go along with this as well as she can."

Lailah scoffs. "Right. Keep telling that to yourself if it makes you feel better. You may be able to fool those idiots out there, but I know you. I know your type, Nate. And I know what I saw between the two of you."

I'm shaking my head at her words, choosing to add a condescending chuckle to show just how much her assumptions amuse me.

"As much as I admire the depth of your imagination, Lailah, you're on the wrong track here. I have no intentions of impressing this girl or tying her to me in any way. She's a means to an end, that's all."

Closing her eyes, Lailah lets out another exasperated sigh. Her chest heaves under burdened breaths, and each time she fills her lungs with air, it paints agony on her face. She's doing so much worse than the last time I saw her, and the sting that leaves on my heart is undeniable. She's not my girl, not the one I love, but she has been a friend and an ally like no other.

It's obvious that she's pulling herself together for my sake, unwilling to let anyone—even me—see in what bad shape she really is.

"Just promise me one thing, Nate," she breathes, her eyes flickering with stubborn urgency. "Be careful with her."

Chapter 2

Nate

"Why did you not tell me about him?"

I hate the way she looks at me when she asks that question. There's reproach in her dark eyes, unmistakable blame for something done wrong. But it's not just that. She's not just angry at me or even disappointed.

She looks sad.

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