Page 158 of The Kiss Of Death
“Yes, eventually.” His lips curved into a ghost of a smile. “Someone who will give you freedom but will always have your back and protect you. Not because you’re weak and need protection, but because it’d mean you’re his everything. He’ll never let anyone hurt you and would prefer to take the pain of the whole goddamn world instead of you. Someone who would revel in your music and understand you, even if he could stalk you easily. Because let’s face it, I bet you still haven’t changed those ridiculous passwords—”
I lifted a brow.
“Right. Someone who will ask you things instead of finding the answer on his own, which would take him only three clicks anyway. He wants to respect your privacy… even if old habits die hard.” He shifted on his feet, his eyes darting around the field. It was the first time I saw Levi’s confidence wavering. “And finally, someone who will sacrifice everything for you, and love you the only way he knows how, but it’s real and stronger than death or the common definition of love.”
My tears welled up in my eyes, my chin shaking.I need to leave.I turned away from him, and before I could walk away, he promised,
“I’ll wait for you. I’ll become the man you deserve, Dalia.”
Henry: I’m happy about all the progress we made. You have a better hold of your anger management issues, and you’re learning to give her space. It’s healthy. I’m proud of you.
“He’s right.” I read the message to my new friend, who had no choice but to listen. “I’m becoming better, more patient, and all those things I despise.”
I hated that I couldn’t solely focus on Dalia, though.
“I had to prioritize my personal growth,” I said, my fingers forming air quotes. “Finding inner peace, whatever that means, before I could win her back. It’s all part of the plan. That’s why I’m building my cyber company, in case you’re curious—developing software and such.”
Being powerful never felt better. I’d fight the ugliness of the world, by being my most ugly self. How did I not think of that sooner?
Henry: PS Stop sending packages to my house. You made your point with the security alarm because it can always be useful, but the “PC for Dummies” book was over the top.
I snorted, slipping my phone back into my trousers. He was a mood killer, as always.
“Hmm!” The muffled sound of my new friend, sprawled on the ground with his face squashed under my shoe, interrupted my musings.
“Right, where were we?” I withdrew my foot from the Pioneer’s face—Rodrigue. “Being in love made me realize I finally had something to lose. So now I have to become my worst self to make sure she’ll always be okay. Love truly does make you grow.”
I was becoming a better man. I was kinder. Wiser. Before, I would have broken his jaw and destroyed his future, but now I was merely humiliating him. Mr. Henry was right.
“I don’t give a fuck that you’re in love,” he spat, coughing on the ground.
“Then perhaps you’ll care about me threatening to expose your little drug activity on campus, ruining your future and career prospects only a couple of months before your graduation,” I continued, offended that he wasn’t more interested in my monologue since for once, I was opening up. “But since you’ve been very cooperative, I’m offering you a chance to redeem yourself.”
Rodrigue massaged his cheek with the imprint of my Dr. Martens shoes. “Since when do you care about that?”
“I don’t, but I’m sure you remember Mich–Miguel—dammit, why is it so hard to remember his name.” I sighed. “You almost drove him to something very regrettable that touched on some of my personal issues. That’s why you’ll be serving him for the rest of the school year.” Leaning in closer, a sinister grin played on my lips. “Consider yourself his little doggy.”
“But I—”
I pulled a collar with a bell out of my pocket. “You should start wearing it.” I snapped my fingers. “Miguel!”
Miguel shuffled into the Pioneers’ house, his posture hunched. It was pathetic, really. Someone needed to slap some sense into him, make him straighten up and act like he had a backbone.
“Our friend Rodrigue over here will be your obedient servant,” I announced with a bright sneer. “If you need something, he’ll oblige. Isn’t that right, Rodrigue? Haven’t you got something to say to my friend over here?”
“Friend?” Rodrigue started to laugh, but the sound died in his throat—they always underestimated me, thinking I was joking when I wasn’t. “I’m sorry for how I treated you.”
“It’s okay,” Miguel mumbled. “I mean, it wasn’t okay, but…”
“Very well,” I interjected, clasping my hands together. “Rodrigue, behave, or I’ll have to put a leash around your neck.”
With a dismissive wave, I strode out, Miguel hastily matching my pace. I didn’t want to run into more Pioneers.
“Treating him like he treated me won’t solve this,” he muttered, now finding the courage to criticize the way I was handling things.
“I believe in payback.”
“I believe in redemption.”
