Page 37 of Wreaking Havoc on my Heart

His tone is nothing like the man I was just talking to. It’s fierce, one I would expect from a Shades assassin. And one I can respect knowing it’s out of protection for our girl.

“I understand and wouldn’t want it any other way.”

We hang up, and I proceed to send Laney a text to apologize. I don’t know how I’m going to get my head right, but I know I need to make some changes here to be better for her.

???

After a shower, I decide to head down to the tracks. Ever since a fight broke out the other day, which ended in a crash, I don’t like Nessa being without backup.

She’s teaching some of the sharpshooters up in the treehouses today so I have to hunt her down. When I finally make it to the right one, I stand in the back as she teaches three students, including her former roommate Kia.

“When hitting a moving target, it’s important to not only anticipate speed, but how the wind direction affects the speed as well. If you only calculate for one and not the other, your shot could go wide or you could miss altogether.”

I keep a watchful eye as she corrects stances and gives tips about how to look through the scope long-term without giving yourself a headache. She’s pretty brilliant. Just the person I need to talk to.

“Hey,” Nessa greets me as her class leaves. “What are you doing here? I told you I don’t need backup.”

I shrug. “I can’t come to check on a friend without a reason?”

She narrows her eyes before rolling them.

“What’s on your mind?” Nessa puts her bag down, and I move over to one of the windows they were using for target practice with the cars. It serves a dual purpose giving them a target while the drivers learn to anticipate shooter's movements.

“Let me guess,” she says after I don’t speak. “You want me to play mediator between you and Laney after you royally fucked up?”

Nessa punches my arm hard enough to actually hurt.

“Ow!” I rub the spot.

“We both know you deserve so much worse.”

I don’t deny her. I do deserve worse.

“Do you think she can forgive me?” Nessa might not be Laney’s best friend, but they have gotten close, and I need to know if I still stand a chance.

“Arrow, you poor, dumb boy. She’s already forgiven you. It’s her trust you’re going to have to earn back.”

“How do I do that?” I have a few ideas, but I’m truly worried that the more I want it, the less she’s going to want to be with me.

“Do you see how much she changed while she was away?” She leans against the window in front of me.

“I do now.”

“She got stronger, Arrow. Not just because Havoc was training her, but because he believed in her. Do you know what it’s like for the women in this lifestyle? We are taught to use our bodies instead of our fists to fight wars. And soon we begin to believe that’s all we are good for. To be used up and sent away.”

I nod, knowing where she’s going with this. “But I’m not going anywhere.”

“That’s not the part that worries her, Arrow.”

I throw my hands up in the air, feeling like everyone around me is speaking in riddles. I need someone to tell me a plan with A, B, and C in order so I can fix it. Not to give me a riddle and hope that I can find the answer.

“She’s not afraid you are going to leave. She’s afraid that she will never be strong enough to stand by your side instead of behind you.”

Nessa’s hand goes to my shoulder, and the puzzle starts to feel like it has fewer pieces.

“Show her you believe in her strength, and you’ll have a partner for life. Maybe even two.”

Picking up her bag she goes to climb down the tree but stops just before her head disappears.

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