Page 15 of Us Defiant Few

“Do you want the apple?” she asked, not knowing why she was still trying to speak to him. Perhaps it was the sound of his voice that hurt so good, she wanted to drown in it. Even if it was filled with hate.

“I’m not hungry,” he said.

She bit her lip, wondering whether she’d been going about this the wrong way. Maybe the best way to bring him back was killing with kindness.

Khalani glanced at her barely touched food and stood. She left the fork behind, not stupid enough to go near him with anything sharp. Takeshi studied her warily as she crouched down, just out of reach.

“Would you like a piece of bread?” she tentatively asked.

Takeshi didn’t answer, his jaw rigid, but his eyes darted to the bread.

“It’s okay,” she coaxed. Khalani picked up one of the pieces and took the tiniest bite. “See? It’s not poisoned.”

When he still didn’t respond, she took matters into her own hands and tossed the bread into his lap. With the way his jaw tightened, she thought he’d launch it right back. But he surprised her by eating a small piece.

And in the span of a few seconds, he inhaled the entire thing.

The heavy weight in her chest lifted a fraction. He was finally letting her take care of him.

It may have been the smallest act, but to her, it mattered.

“Would you like some more?” she gently asked.

Takeshi searched her eyes, the oddest expression crossing his face. She didn’t know what it meant before it disappeared, and he quickly nodded.

Khalani shuffled closer, glancing down at the plate for a split second.

That’s when he struck.

Takeshi hooked his foot behind her back and yanked her forward. She gasped, about to fall on her face, but he snatched her elbow. In the blink of an eye, her back was pressed against his chest, with one hand closed around her throat.

She choked as the metal chains around his wrist dug into her neck, holding her tight against him while his other hand locked her arms in place.

He spoke into her ear, low and dangerous.

“You should’ve run when you had the chance.”

5

Of all the ruins, I’m the most destructive.

Khalani snarled, bucking her body against him, but Takeshi held firm, tightening his grip around her throat.

“I’d stop that if I were you.” His dark whisper sent goose bumps trailing down her arms.

“What do you want?” she rasped, barely able to speak with the limited oxygen he granted her.

“I want you to call for your leader. Jack.”

“What?”

“You heard me.” His hand tightened around her neck, his thumb fanning across her skin as she gulped.

“Jack!” she yelled.

But no one came.

“Again,” Takeshi commanded.