Page 82 of Vulnerate

Dani flinches at my irrationality but I can’t stop and close the distance between us. I nearly burst at the smell of Tali’s cologne on her skin as I lean down.

“I had to crush his hope when he asked if you’re his mom, you don’t get to cry like you give a fuck now.”

Her face is like a rollercoaster of emotion, lips lifting into a smile then dropping before anger, pain, and resentment flash through her dark eyes, until she finally settles on hurt. Her voice is small, brushing my neck at the same time as her hands on my bare chest as she whispers, “I wish I was too.”

Cupping the back of her head, I pull her closer, hating everything. I can’t hate Dani, though I want to, but my stupid heart belongs to her, and it can never hold onto it. I hold her tighter, pressing my wish into the top of her head, “You can be.”

All she has to do is not think about other people, focus on me like I do with her. Yet, she ignores me and looks up, wiping her tears away.

“Does he not like me anymore?”

How the fuck are they both the same?

She has the same big eyes that Viktor does, different hues and different features, but it invokes the same gut wrenching agony in me when I don’t have an answer. He hasn’t said anything to suggest he does, but he ignored her, and I won’t force him to do shit he doesn’t want to do.I wouldn’t even force him to speak tomeif he was pissed at me.

Rather than lie, I take her hand and pull her with me. It feels right in mine, her warmth seeping into my palm and I stroke the back of her hand with my thumb. She twists her hand away as we step outside and walk toward the stables, she never lets me have any peace for fuck’s sake.

Tali and Inessa have managed to help Viktor calm down, but he still doesn’t meet Dani’s eyes as he focuses on making patterns on his horses coat with the brush and the other two leave. Dani is braver than me and breaks the silence, as she goes to his side, asking, “Can you show me how to brush it?”

Nodding his head, he hands her what she needs, being careful not to touch her and steps closer to me as he instructs her on what his horse likes.“Don’t do it near his ears, or his right leg. And do it in this direction because the other one makes his ears twitch.”

When the awkwardness gets too much for her, she turns and squats down so they’re the same height. Her voice is soft, matching her smile as she says, “You know you’re a very special boy?” He finally looks ather and I’m transfixed on her beauty. “If you don’t want to talk to me, you don’t have to. I can go outside if it will make you feel better.”

I hold his shoulder waiting for an answer and he comes back to life as he smiles normally. He’s still clingy and attached to my side but he doesn’t ignore her and practices his Portuguese while they pamper Thunder. I should learn more than a few words, so I know what they’re talking about, but it’s all broken and shit when I try.

Dani takes her phone out, flicking through old photos as they revert back to speaking English.

“Yeah I think I’ve got a photo of Tali when we were younger, your dad might be in it too.”

There are countless images throughout our childhood, her and Tali with their arms wrapped around each other while I’m stood in the background. Viktor flicks though them, then pauses on the photo of Dani’s family. His brows slowly come together and he zooms in, focusing on Carly’s face. I’m about to rip it from his hand and set the thing on fire when he looks up and asks her, “Who’s that? I’ve seen her at school.”

That fucking cunt.

There’s no defense for her sister, Dani is pissed while I pick Viktor up and stand him on the bench.

“What did she say to you?”

His frown deepens but he doesn’t ask any questions as he relays his interaction with the bitch.

“Nothing, she keeps staring at me.”

Not past tense.

“Who is she?” He looks at Dani, then back to me, so fucking innocent as he adds, “Is she your friend?”

I’m plotting her murder as Dani comes to my side with ease. “That woman isn’t a nice person, if sheevercomes near you again, you have to tell someone straight away, okay?”

He nods his head, and she gives him a smile as she pushes against my bicep to get me to move.

I can’t walk away. I need to split myself in two, so he’s protected while I kill her. She does it again with more force and keeps her tone light, instructing Viktor to stay inside while we talk.

“Why don’t you get your horse ready while I talk to your dad then you can show me the new tricks you’ve learnt?”

She walks us far enough away that he won’t hear anything, but I can still watch him, and lowers her voice giving me everything I need. “I know where she’s staying.”

THIRTY-TWO

Daniela

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