Page 34 of Riot

Her hands trembled as she reached for it, but she didn’t speak. Kierra hadn’t spoken in nearly six months. Not since Boaz punished her for biting his hand when he got too close.

Chyna was next. .She gave the smallest nod. Her lips moved like she wanted to say thank you, but nothing came out. Not because she couldn’t—but because she’d learned the cost of gratitude in this house.

I went one by one—Dani, Mercy, Naya, Zulema, and Lea. I said each of their names aloud. I always said their names. It was the only reminder they had that they were still human. The guards kept them drugged up and dazed so they didn’t speak much.

I could feel Irina behind me, shifting uncomfortably, the tray of cut-up fruit she’d brought still untouched in her hands.

“I hate being down here,” she muttered finally, her voice low.

I didn’t turn around. “Then why did you come?”

She hesitated. “I wanted to help.”

“No, you didn’t,” I said, straightening up and finally looking at her. “You came because you needed to prove to yourself that you’re still a good person.”

Her eyes widened slightly.

“You hate this?” I continued, “Then stop it. You have power. You could end this.”

“I’m not going to defy my father,” she snapped, defensive now.

“Then don’t pretend you’re better than him.” My voice was cold. Flat. “You get to walk away from this every time. They don’t.”

She looked away, her shoulders stiffening. I didn’t expect her to understand. Not really. People like Irina lived in a world where privilege could masquerade as powerlessness. Where turning a blind eye was as easy as changing clothes.

We finished our rounds in silence. After locking up, we headed back upstairs. The jasmine scent lingered on my robe like perfume on bruised skin.

When we reached my room, Irina flopped onto my bed, legs swinging over the edge. She looked like a girl again. Carefree. Naive. Like she didn’t just come from a basement full of women who hadn’t seen daylight in years.

“I know your father is sick but are you still having your party tomorrow?” I asked, sliding the tray onto my desk.

She nodded quickly, perking up. “Yeah. Gilded Cage is letting me do a full takeover. I have this gold lamè dress made custom from Dior. It’s going to be amazing.”

I forced a smile. “I wish I could be there.”

Irina sighed and looked away with sadness in her eyes. “You always say that.”

I watched her for a beat, my heart starting to pick up in my chest. Then I said, “What if I could be?”

She paused. “What?”

I stepped closer, lowering my voice. “What if you snuck me out? Just for the party. No one would notice. Security’s been laxever since Boaz went to the hospital. Avi’s preoccupied. The staff are barely paying attention.”

Her expression twisted. “Allure, are you serious?”

“Yes.”

“Do you know how dangerous that is? If my father finds out—if Avi finds out?—”

“He won’t,” I said firmly. “You’re the only one who could do this. I trust you.”

She stood and began pacing. “If anything goes wrong?—”

“It won’t. Please, Irina. Just for one night. Let me remember what it feels like to be a person.”

She paused again, chewing her lip, torn between fear and guilt.

Then finally, she nodded.

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