I hadn't even realized how tense the air had become until I heard the door slam open.
The heavy thud echoed through the room, and I stiffened, my body already on alert. I could feel the temperature drop as he stepped inside—the boss, his anger a palpable force that seemed to press against the walls.
I hadn't expected him to be this furious. But I should have. Of course, he would be furious. This wasn't something he would forgive easily.
His gaze flickered over Nine, who was still resting in my arms, and then it snapped to me. His eyes burned with rage, dark and cold, and I felt a knot tighten in my stomach. I couldn't bring myself to look away, but there was a tremor in my chest that betrayed my fear.
"You—" His voice was low, seething. "You dared to help him? You've got some fucking nerve, Rhea."
I opened my mouth to speak, but before I could even form a word, the slap came.
The sound of it cracked through the room like thunder, sharp and brutal. My head snapped to the side from the force, and a sting bloomed across my cheek. I was stunned, disoriented for a moment, but I didn't let myself fall. I didn't let myself show weakness.
Nine, who had been barely conscious, stirred in my arms, and I instinctively pulled him closer, as though I could protect him even now.
I felt a surge of heat flush through my body, but I swallowed it down. I couldn't let him see me break now. Not after everything. Not after I had just managed to get Nine to a semblance of peace.
"Do you have any idea what the fuck you've done, Rhea?" The boss's voice was razor-sharp now, and he took a step closer, towering over me. "You think you're in charge here?" He took another step forward, and I flinched as he reached down, grabbing me by the chin and forcing me to look up at him. "You don't get to play the hero, Rhea. You're not his fucking savior."
He let go of my chin and shoved me back, making me stumble as I tried to stay upright.
And then, the words came out in a low, dangerous growl.
"Whoever pulled the fire alarm," the boss hissed, "will be killed when I find them. And you, Rhea—you think you've done something clever? You've pushed him too far. You've made him weak."
I felt my chest tighten as his words sank in, but I didn't let it show. The fire alarm. It had been me. I had pulled it. I couldn't help it. I couldn't let Nine go through that again. But the boss didn't know. He didn't know that I was the one who caused the distraction. And as angry as he was right now, if he found out...
He looked down at me with disgust. "You should've known your place. This is a business, Rhea. Not your personal playground."
I fought to keep my voice calm. "I did what was right."
The boss sneered. "Right?" His laugh was sharp, cruel. "You think you know what's right? What's right is making sure he's ready. What's right is making him obedient. What's right is—"
"I won't let him suffer," I interrupted, standing tall despite the ache in my cheek where he'd slapped me. "Not like that. Not again."
He glared at me, eyes full of fury. I could see the storm brewing in them—so much anger, so much resentment. "You're a problem, Rhea. I think it's time I remind you of your place."
He took another step forward, and for a moment, I thought he might hit me again, but instead, he turned on his heel and stormed out of the room. The door slammed behind him with a deafening bang that made my heart skip a beat.
I stood there for a long time, staring at the door, my hand still holding Nine close to me.
I hadn't expected him to hit me, but in some sick way, I knew it wasn't the last time. I wasn't his precious toy. I was a tool. I was expendable. And yet, I would keep fighting. I would keep fighting for Nine.
I could still hear his voice in my head—how he'd threatened to kill the person who pulled the fire alarm. I wasn't scared of his threats, not really. I couldn't let myself be. I'd done what I needed to do to protect Nine. And if that made me a target, then so be it.
I felt Nyx growl inside me, a fierce rumble of discontent.
I will make sure you never have to go through this again, Nyx growled, her voice low and steady in my mind.
I held Nine tighter, as if the touch would ground me, as if it would shield us both from the storm that was still brewing just outside the door.
But I couldn't stop now. I couldn't turn back. Not when Nine needed me. Not when he was still so fragile. And I could hear the faint tremors in his breath as he lay in my arms, still too weak to move.
I would never stop fighting for him. No matter what