Page 31 of Vicious Addictions

Not when he’s looking at me like his whole world just collapsed.

“There has to be something we can do,” he murmurs.

“We?” I glance up at him. “When did you and I becomewe?”

“Mina, come on,” he utters in frustration. “We’re friends, aren’t we? Do you honestly believe that I’d be able to sleep at night knowing you’re about to marry someold guy?”

“Thirty isn’told.”

“It is when the bride is still a teenager.”

I chew on my bottom lip before deciding to test him.

“What if he were your age, huh? Would marriage still be a ‘cage’ then?” I hike a brow.

“Yes,” he deadpans.

And just like that, my heart deflates.

“Well, there you have it then.” I swallow hard, forcing down the lump in my throat. “I either marry my father’s underboss or become a spinster. Neither of which I particularly want.”

Jude exhales through his nose. “Why are you mad atme?”

“Because.” I shove my palms against his chest, frustration bubbling over. “It’s soeasyfor you to say I can’t do this or I can’t do that when you don’t have any skin in the game.”

His expression hardens.

“That’s not fair. YouknowI care about you.”

He cares about me. How come that feels like a knife to the chest?

“Great,” I say, my voice hollow. “Awesome. That’s just what every girl wants to hear.”

I’d laugh if Jude’s expression of utter confusion didn’t want to make me cry.

“I don’t understand where this is coming from. Who are you really mad at?”

“Everyone!” I shout, letting it all spill out. “I’m not like you, Jude! I can’t just run from my responsibilities.”

“I didn’t run.” His voice is quiet but sharp. “I’m fighting for the life I want. That’s not running.”

“And what? You expect me to do the same?” I snort. “Sorry to burst your bubble, but not everyone can go against their family as easily as you.”

“That’s a fucking cheap shot, Mina, even for you,” he retorts, his beautiful hazel eyes unable to hide the hurt my remark caused. “You, out of everyone, know how much my family means to me. You know I didn’t make that decision lightly.”

“All I know is that you turned your back on everyone you loved,” I whisper, hating every word that’s coming out of my mouth.

A muscle in his jaw twitches, and just by the intensity in his eyes, I would dig a hole right here to hide and crawl into if I could.

“I thought you knew me better than that,” he mutters after what had to be the most uncomfortable silence of my life.

“I thought so, too.” I cross my arms to look stronger than I feel. “But apparently, I was wrong because my friend wouldn’t have gone ballistic over something I have no control over.” I scoff. “You talk about fate and destiny, but mine was forfeited the day I was born a girl. It’s so easy for you to talk. So goddamn easy since men like you will always get to dictate your futures. Whileprincipessa’slike me can only dream about it.”

“This isn’t the seventeenth century, Mina. You have options.”

I laugh bitterly.

“No, I don’t. Inthislife,ourlife, I might as well be living in the seventeenth century. Nothing changes. Men will always have the upper hand while women learn the hard way that it’s easier to submit than rebel.”

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