Page 133 of Pervade London
“I never told you that.”
“Don’t, James,” said Xavier. “Not now.”
James ignored him. “I’m giving you this house. How about a ‘thank you’?”
“How about a ‘fuck you’?” I said.
James’ jaw clenched with fury.
I stood defiant. “You took our home away, remember? I once had a place…with Xavier. We had a good life.”
“You can’t have both, Em,” James said quietly.
Tears stung my eyes.
James sighed. “Any attention on you brings attention to Xavier.”
“And on Pervade?”
“Don’t call us that,” he said. “Please.”
“I’ll give up on joining the orchestra.”
James shook his head. “That choice is not yours to make.”
Xavier came closer. “I would never ask that of you.”
“It’s fine. I’ll teach.” I nodded as the pain of what I was offering them hit home. It would be like every bow pulled and every note struck meant nothing.
“That would destroy you, Em,” said Xavier softly.
“Not to mention national security,” said James.
Xavier glared at him. “Seriously?”
“Yes.” James returned his angry stare. “I’ve been more than generous. I trust you, Em, but if I see that trust broken…”
I yanked open the door, revealing a burly man in a black suit looking down at me, an earpiece visible beneath his white collar.
James’ tone turned dark. “Shut the door.”
The man obeyed the command and closed it.
I pivoted to face James again. “You can’t keep me prisoner.”
“It’s protection.”
I glared at him for twisting the truth. “From who?”
“Where do I begin?” James delivered coldly.
“You act like you own me.”
“Essentially, I do.”
I let out an exasperated sigh.
“We can give you what you want,” James said. “If you’ll…submit.”
