Page 73 of Riot

And for the first time, hope didn’t feel like a curse.

It felt like the start of something real.

Chapter 22

RIOT

The windows were down, letting in the cool breeze as we drove through Jersey toward Mama’s house. The late morning sun kissed the edge of the sky, but the air still had a slight bite to it—just enough to keep you alert. My hand rested on the wheel, fingers tapping to the low thump of the music while Allure sat next to me, legs crossed, staring out of the window, taking in the scenery.

She looked like freedom in the passenger seat. Hair twisted into a loose bun, gold hoops catching the sunlight, bare legs flowing from that pretty pink dress.

“How are you liking your new phone?” I asked, glancing her way.

She looked up, eyes gleaming. “I’m a little overwhelmed. I’m catching up on ten years of life.”

“Yeah, a lot of shit has gone down since you were locked away. So you had no access to anything?” I questioned.

“Only via Irina. She would come over and show me things on her phone but if her brother or father caught her we’d get in trouble. I feel like I have a lot to catch up on.”

“Yeah, you do. Take your time and whatever you need I got it for you.”

Her presence brought a level of peace to me that I hadn’t had in years. I didn’t want her to leave but I also didn’t want her to feel like she was my captive.

“So what’s the latest music. I need to hear the new shit. Not this old Jay Z you’re playing.” She said referring to Jay Z’s Blueprint album playing in the background.

My brow lifted. “Oh you got jokes. My taste is elite.”

She laughed, soft but real. “My older cousins used to play this. It was already old back when I was kidnapped.”

“And?”

“And that song is old enough to cash out in it’s 401k and retire..”

“It’s a classic,” I said, dead serious.

She snorted, shaking her head. “You’re ridiculous.”

I liked this. The way her voice had loosened. The way her shoulders weren’t so tight anymore. She was relaxing, letting me in—inch by inch.

“You always been this mouthy?” I asked.

Her eyes flicked over to me. “Maybe.”

“I’m gonna have to teach you a lesson about that.”

“Oh really? Well, yes I’ve always been this mouthy.”

“I see. I got plans for that pretty mouth,” I let slip out. I wanted to have more restraint with her but I couldn’t. She was so damn fine.

“We’ll see about that. But I used to get in trouble this mouth. My mom said I asked too many questions, never knew when to shut up. And when Boaz first got me, I was mouthy with him. Let’s just say I’ve been backhanded a lot.”

“I swear to God I can’t wait to fuckin’ kill him.” Hearing that he hit her made my chest tighten and my jaw clinch.

“What about your dad?” I asked trying to change the subject so that I wouldn’t fly off the handle.

A shadow crossed her face but disappeared quick. “He said I had a spark. That I was gonna run the world.”

I nodded slowly. “What did he mean by that?”

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