Page 34 of Magic or Madness

“Can I ask you something, Fallon?” Her body tenses with my question, but she nods, and I keep my eyes locked on hers.

I swallow the lump that’s been in my throat since this morning, hoping that this is something we can navigate together. It’s a risk, but screw it, I’ve got the utmost faith in her, and in what we’re building.

“Are you going to be able to go to work tomorrow, knowing what we’re planning?” I ask, and her smile fades slightly, but she doesn’t miss a beat.

“I don’t get paid enough to be a hero.” She shakes her head and giggles, the kind that warms my heart.

I leave it at that, hoping she doesn’t get the wrong idea. It’s not that I don’t trust her, but everyone has a moral compass, and I don’t know which way hers leans.

“Do you trust me, Ozzy?” She asks in return, almost like she read the very thoughts in my mind.

“I trust you, Fallon. I’m not afraid you’re going to rat us out,” I tell her, but she doesn’t seem to buy it.

“I could. And for the break-in, too,” she says sternly, crossing her arms with one eyebrow raised, and I shake my head in confusion.

This conversation has quickly turned, and I can’t tell if she’s testing me, or faulting me for questioning her.

Either way, I feel like I’m playing with fire.

“Would you?”

“Tell me why I shouldn’t, since you clearly don’t trust me. I trust you enough to share the darkest things that have happened to me, but what? You’re worried that I’ll rat you out to my creepy boss?” She climbs off me, moving to the opposite side of the bed with a serious fire in her eyes that I haven’t seen yet, and it’s utterly terrifying.

I’m in shock, scared that I’ve crossed a line that could push her away from me, and I can’t find the words to salvage this.

To convince her tostay.

How do I explain what I feel for her, and know in my gut that I can trust her with my life when I’ve only met her a few days ago? Who would believe any of that coming from another person in thisfucked upworld?

It’s not like she’s asking if I trust her to house-sit for me, either. I’m a criminal, and I have to convince her that I trust her not to put me injail.

Suddenly, I look at the girl at the edge of my bed, looking like she’s ready to run, and the words find themselves.

“Fallon, I’d do any job with you by my side. I trust you with my secrets, my criminal pastandfuture, and most importantly, with my heart. I have no intentions ofeverletting you go, but if you need to know how much I trust you, I will show you,” I say, searching her eyes as she patiently listens to my words.

“How?”

I take the blade off the nightstand, handing it to her without another word, and her eyes widen.

“By stabbing me?” She laughs, but not the kind I’ve grown to love.

It’s dripping with sarcasm, and she shakes her head aggressively, like she’s talking to herself as she gets up and walks toward the door.

I jump at her abrupt movement, gently grabbing her by the waist, and she sighs, looking up at me.

“No, Fallon. I’m not going to fuckingstabyou. Will you let me show you?” I beg, desperate for her approval.

I’d do anything for her, and I need her to believe me because watching her walk out that door might just put me in my fucking grave.

“Fine, show me,” she says, gesturing her hand toward the bed with that sassy attitude I love so much.

She’s defensive, letting me walk in front of her, almost like she’s protecting her body from me, and I hate what one simple question has led to, but it might be just what we need to solidify this.

I lift off my shirt, revealing my past scars, but Fallon’s face twists into something resembling what I think is confusion.

“Take it,” I urge, handing the blade to her again, and this time she takes it from my hand, flipping it around in her palm.

I watch as her eyes marvel over the stainless steel, and I’m certain that she feels power when the cold metal touches her hands. I know the first time I saw this specific blade, I felt unstoppable, like I was on top of the world when I held it.

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