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Caleb Weaver had been a mechanic once. Meanwhile, Gregory Stephens and Declan Dubois both collected vintage vehicles—a show was where Bianca’s parents had met. Then there was Bryce, who had a fondness for gambling at races. He wasn’t responsible with his money, and he lost more often than won.
She pressed her hands to her cheeks. “Don’t judge me. I can imagine what I want! I’m not hurting anyone.”
I raised my eyebrow, wary now. What was sheimagining?
Her imagination was genius, but also a little bit scary. I had to figure out what she was thinking, otherwise she might do something without me there to protect her. “Imaginewhat?”
She covered her eyes, the thready scent of panic filling the room.
Why was she panicking? Was there something she wanted, and she was afraid to ask?
“Princess.” I pulled her hands from her face, and my mouth went dry at her embarrassed expression. How could I make her happy? “What are you imagining? Do you even have your license? Would you like to take a drive in the Rover? If you want me to buy you your own car, I—”
“No.” The redness faded from her cheeks. “I don’t have my license. I don’t care about passenger cars. They are boring.” Her gaze drifted toward my modest bike collection across the room.
A sense of foreboding filled me, and it became harder to breathe. “You want amotorcycle?”
“They seem fun,” she said.
“But…” My mind raced. While the thought of Bianca and me riding together was exciting, there was also the worry that she’d get hurt. Especially if she went out on her own. Plus, it didn’t make any sense! She was logical, she knew how dangerous motorcycles could be. She was terrified of most things that wouldn’t scare anyone.
Whywouldthisbe the thing that didn’t frighten her? “Are you not afraid of the danger?”
She gave me a look that indicated she thought I was an idiot. “Why would I be afraid?”
But…how?
I pulled at my hair, unsure of how to respond. I was thrilled she wasn’t scared. But for the first time, I was left wondering how she’d come tothisconclusion. Usually I understood her, we were always on the same page.
It was usually us against the world.
“Well, a bike like that wouldn’t be practical for all your needs,” I finally said. “You should still get your license first. It might be more difficult for you to commute to school on a bike, or go shopping.”
Guilt twisted across her expression, and my mind raced back over my words. Had I said something accusing? I didn’t think so.
“I’m quitting school.”
I blinked at her wide-eyed expression and pulled at my ear. Did she just say… But hadn’t she threatened to beat up Miles for missing class?
He had been so scared. It was hilarious.
“Pardon?” I asked.
“I’m going to t-t-take off for the rest of the s-s-semester,” she stuttered through the words. “I don’t k-k-know what I want to do anymore.” Her voice washed away my disbelief, and a sudden seething anger burned in my chest.
It was the sound of her fear.
None of us had missed her occasional stuttering. The first time I heard it—at the hospital after Daniel Cole had attacked her—I assumed it was from shock. But I was wrong.
Julian had glanced at Bianca’s medical records. We’d spoken to Finn. Miles had even forced Abigail and Jonathan into a meeting.
And they shared the same story.
Bianca’s stuttering had developed when she was young, most likely due to the trauma she lived through before Abigail Geier found her. Trinity Kohler noted that Bianca had been able to move past the stuttering with extensive speech therapy. However, it could be triggered when she wasn’t focusing, or if she was thrown back into a negative mindset.
It was a struggle to force my expression to remain blank. But Bianca didn’t need me to storm from the room and rip apart another punching bag. First, I doubted she wanted to see Bryce. Second, she’d probably misunderstand my anger and believe it was directed toward her.
My instincts pulled me in different directions. Vengeance filled me, but also the need to comfort. I’d never felt like this before.
