Icouldn’t sleep.
Couldn’t stop sweating either. Every breath felt like it came through a furnace. My skin itched with heat and restlessness, like my nerves were trying to claw their way out.
I grabbed my phone.
Louis
Cassian, what the hell, man? Did you really need to take it that far? Is all of this really necessary?
No response. Thirty seconds… a minute…then finally?—
Cassian
I never said the game would be easy, besides you were the one who volunteered for this.
Louis
Under duress!
Cassian
Please, you’re just as intrigued as I am. How is it? How is she?
I kept all details to myself.
Louis:This weekend, then?
Cassian
You like her.
Louis
I tolerate her. I’ll be ready for the meeting. Don’t try anything stupid. It’s my ass on the line and hers—and your only way for the truth.
Bullshit! He knew I didn’t stick out my neck because I wanted to—I had no choice, and vengeance was a powerful thing.
Cassian
There are rules. They’re going to test you.
Cassian
I need you to figure things out.
Cassian
She needs you to look like the hero protecting her at all costs.
Cassian
I don’t see how any of this is a problem.
Except—it was.
I cringed.
I was using her. And she, with all her arrogance and sharp retorts, thought she was the one in control. That she had the cards. When really?