Page 159 of Everdoll

“So, miss… may I ask what you needed me to stick around for?”

“Oh, simple.” she smiled wide. “Why did you throw yourself into that for me?”

“I…” I shrugged. “We are acquaintances, after all. Is it weird that I wonder about your safety?”

“Well, yes. It’s weird. After telling me you don’t even want to be friends.”

“That doesn’t mean I hate you.”

“So we can be friends?”

“No.”

At my sharp tone, she mirrored my shrug. “Then from now on, don’t put yourself in danger for my sake. People don’t do that just for acquaintances.”

The amused expression faded from my face. I lowered my head, sorrow settling over my features once again.

“You’re right. I won’t cross the line again.”

She waved it off. “We have more important things to discuss, anyway. Like that brother of yours.”

At the shift in her tone, I swallowed. My eyes moved down the street, searching for an exit, but wherever I looked, Mina tilted her head just slightly in the same direction, caging my gaze. So her stubbornness was back.

Just like when we first met.

“So?” she demanded. “You told me about your siblings, but I had no idea you had one this troublesome.”

“Bringing the past again? If that’s where this is going, I’m leaving—”

“I’m afraid you can’t.” Her tone was sharp, and I, already walking away with little enthusiasm, turned back. She continued in the same unhurried calm. “Your reputation could be gone by morning, Mr. Loxton. Do you understand that?”

“You just made calls. You could’ve thrown me in with it.”

“And why would I? Prisne is my friend, what she asks, of course I do. But people who are only acquaintances don’t go that far for each other. Am I wrong?”

I laughed despite myself, a bit irritated, I had to admit. “You’re completely right. Forget I asked.”

Silence settled over my flat words. On the cold street, my eyes wandered everywhere but to her. I searched for any excuse to leave. I had too much to process. Too many new memories already queuing up to replay until they made me dizzy.

Today, Mina saved me. My lady saved her knight.

Little Remi would hate that.

“But what about this…” She crossed her arms, a knowing smile spreading across her face. In the past, she did this exact move, as though we were about to do something forbidden, mischief lighting her eyes. “If Bugan’s story gets out, I can publish a piece in response. I can write I was one of your siblings too. That you never treated me that way. When people see how much you care about those around you, they won’t be so quick to play stupid games like this again.”

I frowned. “But why would you?”

“Obviously, I want something in return.”

“Are you threatening me, miss?”

“I’m just making an offer. You must be feeling the pressure, with the elections right around the corner. It’s not just your head on the chopping block, the president’s is too.”

“I don’t care.”

“But I do. At least about yours.”

I wet my lips, my gaze lingered on her determined face. Then my slow smirk turned into a low chuckle.