She clutches her neck. Her mouth opens and closes, but no sound comes out.
“Now I guess we both know each other’s dirty little secrets.”
“I don’t know what to say.”
I shrug. “You know I got to bring this to
the Pres, right?”
She closes her eyes. “W-what is he going to do to me?”
“I have no fucking idea, and that’s a problem.” I look at the woman I was so sure I knew and scowl. “I don’t trust you, Ruthie. Not fully. I will keep you safe for my child’s sake. I’m going to make you my Old Lady and vouch for you. And you’re not going to make me regret it, are you?”
“No,” she whispers.
“Good. This shit we had going on before. That’s done. I’m not bending over backwards. You’re going to learn what it is to be a proper Old Lady, and when others are around, you’re damn sure going to play the role.”
Her eyes widen. “What does that mean?”
“Whatever the fuck I tell you it does.”
“Bullshit. That’s not how Blue and Shadow work.”
“Do we look like Blue and Shadow to you?” I ask.
She looks away. “No.”
“Then stop comparing us.”
“This how it’s going to be now? You being a total ass to me?”
“Don’t turn this shit around on me—”
“You had your own secrets,” she bites back as she rubs her neck.
“I gave you a chance to get out. You got a few more weeks before it’s final.”
My head whipped to the side with her palm to my cheek. I growl and pin her body to the wall. “Do not fucking hit me again.”
“Don’t say things like that about my baby.”
“Our…”
“Not when hints about abortion roll off your tongue so damn easily.”
The pain in her voice crawls under my skin and hits the part of my dark heart she’s brought back to life. “Just stating a fact. I didn’t say it’s what I want to happen.”
“Don’t you get it? I’m in this for the long haul. I’m not going to change my mind in mid-stream,” she says.
“Don’t know what I do or don’t know about you now.”
“Don’t do this.”
I turn away from her pleading expression. “Go get changed, we’re going to see the Pres.”
“Just like that?” She snaps her fingers.
“That’s what I said.”