Page 62 of Tyrant (The Villetti Chronicles)

“You owe me for this, though.”

I ruffled her hair with my free hand.

“I’ll pay up any time, you know that.”

She gave me a half-smile and shrugged.

“Yeah, I do.”

Squeezing her hand that was entwined with mine, I stroked her shoulder with the other.

“What’s wrong, Remi? You seem down.”

She bit her lip before looking up at me.

“I’m okay.”

“No, you’re not. Tell me what’s going on.”

Remi didn’t always confide in me, but I wished she would. If she’d just tell me about Penn’s attention, I’d do something about it. She’d told me in no uncertain terms I was not to interfere in any aspect of her life unless she asked for help. I never wanted Remi to feel like I was being overbearing.

“I’m lonely, Zayn,” she whispered. “It’s like everyone else’s lives are moving on without me and I’m stuck here, waiting for something to happen to me when I know it won’t unless I go out and do it.”

Her fingers tightened around mine as if she needed an anchor to admit these things to me.

“You’ve been busy the past few weeks with your girl, I mean, Arianna. Not that I’m upset about it, but you’re never here and I have no one else to talk to or who even cares about me. You know I have like no friends. I’m awkward, weird and all I do is spend my time here and at home.”

The sadness in her voice cut through me. Remi hadn’t had it easy.

“Come here.”

She let me tug her into my arms and hold her, wrapping her own arms loosely around my back.

“I’m sorry you’ve felt like I haven’t been there for you. That’s a failure on my part. If you need me, Remi, I’m here. You just have to tell me.”

She let out a little sigh and placed her cheek against my chest. We’d never been particularly affectionate with our pseudo-siblingrelationship, but I could sense she needed comforting.

“I know you are. I think I’m feeling a little adrift… and it’s making it hard not to feel alone.”

I tightened my hold on her.

“Have you thought any more about getting in contact with your dad?”

She shook her head.

“I don’t know what I’d even say if I did. Things were pretty shit when they split up, you know? He didn’t even fight her for me.”

Roberta never told me exactly what happened between her and Remi’s father. Remi hated talking about it, so I didn’t hassle her, either. I was only mentioning it now because I knew she’d lost most of her family and she felt like she’d missed out on so much of her heritage.

“When you’re ready, I’ll help you.”

“Thank you, Zayn. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”

She turned her face up and gave me a smile, showing me she was okay. It was at that moment the door to my office opened and Arlo walked in, followed by Ari, who immediately faltered when she saw me and Remi. Her expression darkened a moment later, leaving me with the distinct impression she wasn’t happy to find me hugging another woman even if I’d told her Remi and I were just friends.

Oh, little fairy, don’t you realise I only have eyes for you?

Twenty One

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