Page 73 of The Obedient Lie
“Most functions are painfully dull,” I said, not looking at them. “You sit through four-hour dinners and twice-as-long speeches about legacy, strategy, and how to behave. Usually from the same men you watched cheat on their wives five minutes earlier.”
The sound of the card tapping rhythmically against the wood filled the silence.
“I did a full day at the Academy,” I went on. “Got grilled in Ethics, chased down by half the PR team because I wore redlipstick, then had to attend two brand dinners—one of which included a man who asked if I’d ever considered modeling for legacy whiskey campaigns.”
Luca didn’t say anything. Bastion’s jaw flexed.
“I didn’t sleep that night,” I added softly, brushing the line smooth. “Didn’t even blink. But I smiled for every photo.”
I looked up at them now.Eyes clear. Voice cool. No shame in it.
“It’s not a habit. It’s a tool. Sometimes. For nights when pretending gets heavier than it should.”
Pause.
“Like anything powerful, it’s about moderation.”
Silence.
Then I sat back slightly, dragging the tip of my ring finger across the fine edge of the line and glancing between them with that same sweetness I’d worn all night.
“Want one?”
I didn’t look up. Just stared at the line on the table, the tray slightly crooked from where I’d moved it.
“Or you could have me expelled. Get your room back. Get rid of me for good.” My voice wasn’t defensive. Or sarcastic. Just…quiet.Worn out.“Wouldn’t even blame you.”
No one said anything.
There was a pause—long enough I thought they might actually get up and walk out. That they’ddo it.
But then Bastion moved.
Not away.
Closer.
He moved around the table and lowered himself to the floor behind me—legs spreading to either side of mine until I was bracketed in.Surrounded.
My spine went rigid.
He didn’t speak. Didn’t touch me.
He just sat there. Quiet. Calm.
But close.
Cedar and smoke. Whiskey and danger.The scent of him filled my lungs like something I wasn’t supposed to want.
And then I felt it—his body shifted forward, his arm reaching around mine.
My breath caught.
And without a word, he bent and took the line.
My pulse jumped.I couldn’t move.
Across from us, Luca didn’t say a thing. Just leaned forward—smooth, deliberate—and did the same, his eyes locked on mine the entire time.
