Page 52 of Iron Heart

I guide her into a corner spot at the café, a cozy little nook away from prying eyes.“Two coffees, one black, the other with a dash of almond milk, and two servings of the sourdough avocado and scrambled eggs,” I tell the waiter before he even gets a chance to hand us menus.

She looks up, eyebrows raised.“I was thinking pancakes.”

“Protein’s better for you,” I say, and she nods, her gaze drifting back to the window and out to the ocean.

She’s deep in thought, probably contemplating her session with Dr.Deidre.

The quiet between us isn’t awkward, but it’s loaded.I want to ask her how it went.I want to tell her I regret not staying with her last night, but I hesitate, fearing it might shatter this fragile thing we’ve got going.

Instead, I shoot for something else, something that has been on my mind since living with her for a few weeks now.

“Where are your friends, Victoria?”

She looks over at me, initially shocked at the question, then she settles back into her chair.“I had a group of friends since school, but ever since this fame thing started taking off, they acted all weird and bitchy.I just didn’t have time to deal with all that.”

“How long ago was that?”

“We lost touch about three years ago.But I have Rosie, and Isabella seems super cool, so…” her voice trails off as she fidgets her hands.

“Are you lonely?”The words cut through the air, blunt yet piercing.

My curiosity demands an answer, even if it’s a question I hadn’t planned on asking.

She lets out a sigh.“That’s the funny thing about fame.The paradox of stardom is that you’re known by millions of people, yet you can feel so alone when you’re at the height of it all.”

The waitress sets our meals down, but my eyes never stray from Victoria’s.For a fleeting moment, I catch a glimpse of something in her gaze— a shadow of sadness lurking just behind those eyes.

Silence descends over us, and I glance over at her, captivated by the way the café’s soft light dances through her auburn hair.It’s like she’s not just in my line of sight.She’s in my veins.I’m not just hooked on her submission but on every laugh, smile, and complex layer of her that I’ve yet to uncover.

For the first time, it hits me…

… I don’t just want to be her protector.

I’ve been a shield for people all my life—physically.There are walls I’ve built over the years, walls born from past wounds, and I’ve always been fine with them standing tall.But looking at her, I start to think maybe, just maybe, it’s time for them to come down.

But for now, I just sip my coffee, giving her the space she seems to need.

* * *

As we step into her waterfront mansion laden with bags from the morning’s retail therapy, she gives me a small smile.“I’m going to go sort through these in my room.See you in a bit?”

“Sure.”I nod, watching as she retreats down the hallway, her auburn hair shimmering even in the muted light.

When my phone buzzes, the caller ID reads “Indy,” and I feel a pang of guilt.I’ve been wrapped up in this assignment and haven’t been keeping in contact with my sister like I should.

“Hey, sis,” I answer, the guilt sneaking into my voice.

“Kingsley!Finally!How are you?We’ve missed hearing from you,” she says, and I can almost see her smiling on the other end.

“I know, I know, and I’m sorry.I’ve been swamped with this new assignment.But that’s no excuse.How’s Texas.Is Mark treating you well?”

“We’re doing great.Don’t worry.”

“I always worry, but I’m glad you’re happy, Indy.”

“How is it working for the Viki Slater?”she asks excitedly.

“It’s not bad,” I reply, keeping my choice of words short.

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