Page 132 of Green Flag
He waved a dismissive hand. “This is Katherine, my partner.”
Partner? Not even just girlfriend? Or friend?
“Like I said, nice to meet you, Katherine. How old are you?”
She blushed and glanced at him before opening and closing her mouth.
“Right,” I said, nodding, because of course.
How hadn’t I seen it before? Had he told her she was special too? Had he taken her virginity as well, saying you only gave yourself completely to someone you love? And then forced her to love him? Would he use her too?
His niece was why I’d gone to his place in the summers. His niece was… imaginary.
I was fourteen.
And he’d found an excuse for me to spend the summers at this house.
Bile rose in my throat.
“Good on Mendes for winning,” he said with a deep nod, looking over to my boyfriend. “If he didn’t get the knockout, I worry what would have happened if it went to points.”
“He would have won, is what,” I said with a smile.
My anger was rising, but I had to play it cool. While my thoughts were everywhere, I needed to think. Not act.
Because I was going to take this fucker down.
Tears were burning in my skull because… I wanted to pretend it was anger. But he’d never loved me. I hadn’t been mature. I was fourteen when he set his sights on me.
Fia was a child. I’d been achild.
His eyes widened as if he didn’t quite believe that and I was delusional, but he stroked his partner’s back.
The touch made me sick. How old was she?
“I’m sure.”
I wanted to keep talking, just in the hopes that he could smell Luca’s cum on my breath. I’d breathe and sigh all over his stupid face if I weren’t repulsed at the idea of getting closer to him.
“Well, I’ll hear from you when you break up.”
There was no time between that comment and when he pulled his partner into the current of people and outside. My hands were fists at my side, ready to use my new skills against the first man I’d ever dated—
No, we hadn’t been dating. I’d been groomed.
And yet he still thought he had some godly grip over me.
“Steady now,” Nix said, grabbing my shoulder and pulling me back as the dribs and drabs of people finished walking out.
“When did you—?”
“I saw Pedro with you,” he said with a soft, concerned smile. “I thought it was best I got rid of him before your dad noticed. I didn’t want you to go all Rambo and try to beat his ass.” He looked over to Luca, his smile beaming. “Leave that to the champion you’re fucking, he’s got a better right fist than you.”
“We’re not fucking,” I said, my only defense because I knew he was right.
“You’re… not?” Nix asked, frowning.
It was just the two of us now and I hadn’t noticed Luca’s interview was over and he was now standing surrounded by fans.
