Page 26 of Bad for You

Gianna looks at her watch with a stiff upper lip.

She’s dressed in all black. Tight black yoga pants. A black tank. And sneakers. Her long hair is tied into a high ponytail. She looks ready for combat.

“Four minutes and twenty seconds,” she says, shaking her head. “It takes thirty-three seconds from your room, Lenny, butI’m guessing the delay is because you used your heart instead of your head.”

She looks at me like I’m a helpless bug she could squash under her shoe.

“A lot can happen in four minutes and twenty seconds. The house could be completely swarmed and apprehended in four minutes and twenty seconds.”

“Apprehended by who?”

Gianna smiles, the first genuine response I’ve seen on her face.

“By anyone who wants all of this.” She sweeps her hand toward the house. “Everyone is the enemy. Never mistake anyone to be your friend. People will only be good to you because they want something from you, and when they get that, they’ll betray you and not feel a thing.

“Don’t wait. Never hesitate. You strike first. If you are vulnerable, your enemy will exploit that for their own gain. There is no loyalty. There is no love. That’s lesson number two.”

First lesson is don’t ask stupid questions.

And the second is don’t be vulnerable.

“Just what do you want from us?”

I hold my breath, afraid Lenny has broken rule number one.

Gianna smirks. “You are a very clever young man. I will look after you. I will keep you safe. My home will always be yours. You will never go hungry. You will never be afraid.”

I hold my breath, waiting for the punchline because there’s a catch. I know there is.

“And what do you expect in return?”

Gianna’s red lips tip up into a catlike smirk. “Your undevoted loyalty.”

“And?” Lenny prompts, folding his arms across his bare chest.

She doesn’t answer.

She turns to look at me and says, “Take off your nightgown.”

It’s on the tip of my tongue to ask why, but I don’t because that would breach both of her rules. It’s apparent she sees me as a weakling, so I squash down my embarrassment and slip off the white nightgown over my head.

I have on underwear and a crop top, so I’m not totally naked, but standing bare in front of Lenny has my cheeks blushing. However, I don’t cover up. I stand with confidence.

Gianna smiles. It’s apparent she’s pleased I listened. I don’t know why, but her approval makes me happy. I find myself wanting to do it more.

She looks at Lenny. He has his cheek turned, respecting my modesty. I find the sentiment to be kind because no one has ever treated me with such respect before.

But Gianna clearly doesn’t when she brings her foot down onto his knee. He buckles but stays upright. He glares at her while she simply dares him with a look to challenge her.

He doesn’t.

“Never take your eyes off the enemy,” she states, circling him like prey.

“I didn’t realize you were.”

“Never assume,” she counters, stalking him like a lithe cat. “Yet another lesson.”

I watch with interest, unsure what’s about to happen next.

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