Page 35 of Legion
Naomi explained, starting from when Iain first arrived.The more she spoke, the darker her Prime’s expression became.When she reached the part of the story where Luka had assured her that she had no need to feel guilty, Tia spoke.“He’s right—Iain’s behavior isn’t on you.”
“I know that intellectually, but seeing what my song can reduce a person to ...I can’t help but feel bad about it,” Naomi admitted.
“Is that why you don’t want me to dish out some payback?”asked Tobe.“You hold yourself responsible?Because if so, that’s some ridiculous bullshit right there.”
“Nottotallyresponsible,” Naomi clarified.“I just feel as if I should have seen that there was a flimsy ego beneath all that self-assurance and bravado he displayed.I’ve always considered myself an observant person.”
“And you are,” Jolene asserted, taking a seat across from her.“You would see through an act.But with Iain, I don’t think it was an act.I believe it was a case of someone fooling themselves so successfully that what they were hiding went unnoticed by others.”
Tia laid her hand on Naomi’s.“None of what’s happening is your fault.The blame does not lie with you.”
“It lies with that asshole who refuses to face the facts and plain ignores what you want,” Tobe insisted.“He needs some ...convincing.A little help to make him see the light.”
Naomi shot him a pleading look.“Give Luka a chance to do that.”
“I already did,” her psi-mate reminded her.“Whatever he said or did wasn’t enough.”
“Which is quite shocking,” Jolene noted.“People generally don’t test Luka.”
And no one could blame them for that.“He put a tail on Iain just to be on the safe side, but Iain managed to give them the slip.”
“Determined little bastard, isn’t he,” Jolene muttered.
“Well,” began Tia, “I have a feeling Luka is gonna work harder to ensure that Iain finally keeps his distance from you.”
Naomi dipped her chin in agreement.“Luka was furious just now.He swore that Iain wouldn’t get near me again.”She hesitated to add the next part, since it would clue people in to her fling with Luka, but it wasn’t as if they wouldn’t notice when he finally put a man on her.“He also declared that he’s going to assign me a guard once Iain is released.”
Tobe’s brows snapped together.“A guard?The fuck?Why would he do that?”
Naomi scratched her cheek.“Well ...”
Her anchor went rigid.“Tell me you didn’t.Tell me you didn’t let that merciless motherfucker into your life in any way.’
“Um ...”
Tobe cursed a blue streak, his face flushing with anger.“Why the hell would you even give him the time of day?You can’t honestly think you’re safe with that guy.You know who he is.You knowwhathe is.You know what he’s capable of—everyone in this room has heard of the messed-up shit he’s done.Why oh fucking why would you ignore all that?You’re smarter than this, Nome.”
She lifted a calming hand.“I get why you’re worried, I do.And yes, I’ve heard the rumors.But never have I heard any claims that he harmed a woman.Have you?”
Tobe opened his mouth to respond, but then seemed to mentally falter.“That’s not the point,” he finally said.
“It very much is.I’m well aware that he’s dangerous.But I’ve not once felt threatened by him.”Intimidated, yes, butas awoman ...because he was lethally seductive.“Neither has my entity.It doesn’t feel that I’m unsafe with him.It actually kind of likes him.”
Tobe cast her a dismissive look.“Your demon likes danger, that’s why.It’s an absolute nut and enjoys violence.If it wasn’t for the fact that you two have an understanding, it would be giving you all sorts of problems.”
Well, yeah.But that didn’t need to be relevant.
“Belinsky doesn’t have relationships, Nome,” Tobe went on.“He has flings.Keeps them short and sweet.”
“It hasn’t occurred to you that that’s all I’m looking for right now?”
His mouth snapped shut.“Even if you are, it doesn’t mean that you have to have one with him.It isn’t as if you’re not spoiled for choice.You could have your pick of guys.”He looked around the room, taking in each person.“Someone back me up here and tell her that he’s not what she needs.”
“Your issue here isn’t merely that Luka is dangerous, Tobe,” Jolene claimed.“You don’t like that he’s going to assign her a guard because you feel he’s trespassing; you feel that, as her anchor, it’s your job to protect her.”
“Well, it is,” Tobe asserted.
Jolene raised a finger.“But it’s Luka’s job to keep Iain in line, not yours.”
