Page 77 of Dance of Ruin

“That’s…not happening.”

“It wasn’t a suggestion.”

The color drains from her face. “My father’s people would never allow that. Me moving in with you is a public relationsnightmare.”

“Ask me if I give a single solitaryfuckabout your father’s focus groups.”

She shudders, her eyes widening as the reality hits her that I’m not in any way, shape or form joking. “Nico…No,” she blurts. “That’s not happening. It’s insane.You’reinsane.”

I don’t flinch.

“You’re moving in with me, effective immediately.”

She lets out a slow, drawn-out breath. “That really isn’t happening.”

I step forward, closing what little distance is left between us.

“May I remind you,” I murmur, “what happens when you saynoto me.”

She goes still—not stiff, not angry.

Just…still.

Like a switch flipped.

Like something inside her shut off.

Her eyes don’t flash or narrow or flare. They just go cold and hollow, like she’s retreated somewhere I can’t follow.

And I hate it, more than I thought I would.

“Fine.”

She says it quietly. Flatly.

Not broken.

Just…gone.

Fuck.

Fighting, sassy Naomi was fun. This Naomi that just…quits, goes cold, and takes it, is not.

“Fine,” she repeats dully. “Whatever you want. I have to go to work now.”

She turns before I can say anything else. Walks toward the theater door. Opens it, and slips inside. Then I’m alone in the alley.

Alone with fire still boiling in my blood.

I got what I wanted.

She agreed. She’s moving in. She’s mine.

So why thefuckdoes it feel like I just lost?

16

NAOMI

---