You Are Mine Little Sister (by Syra Tucker) novel Chapter 96

RALI

I let my hands slide up and bury into my hair as my elbows rested on my knees. My breath stuttered from between my lips as I sank into the kind of frustration that made you want to scream into your own palms until they split.

God, I needed to get out of here.

I grabbed my bag and stood. Vlyrissa rose with me.

"Zerali—"

"It's fine, ma'am. I just... I just need to get out of here."

She reached out and rested a hand on my shoulder, the cheque still gripped in her other hand. "I understand. But just take this, please."

I let out a humorless chuckle. One of those sounds that tries to be laughter but ends up sounding like a breathless scoff.

"I don't need to be bribed."

"No, no, no. This isn't a bribe. You could probably get yourself something nice with this."

My gaze fell on the cheque again. It was fifty grand.

A month ago, I'd have kissed her feet and laminated that cheque. It would've cleared a lot of problems like electricity, food, meds. But now?

Meeting Void had changed the value of everything. And I hated it.

Fifty grand? Please. That was probably the price for one of the bags in his closet. Heck, I had a Phantom Card sitting in my purse that I hadn't even bothered to swipe yet.

"You can keep the money. I just want to go home for now."

I turned toward the door, but her soft hand gripped mine, pulling me to a stop. Grayson was sitting upright now, his face holding more concern. I was sure he was more concerned about me filing a complaint.

"Zerali dear," Vlyrissa's warm voice came again. "I truly understand how difficult this must be. But can you do this for me? Please?"

I closed my eyes and inhaled like I was trying to breathe out my sanity. Frankly, I was exhausted.

And on a second thought, I couldn't even go public with this. Void would get a wind of it and Grayson would end up zipped in a body bag by sundown. I might detest my boss right now, but I didn't want another death on my conscience.

Sorry, ex-boss. There was no way I was going close to him after this.

"I won't tell anyone," I murmured in defeat. My voice broke on the next words. "I just want to go home. Please."

Her hand released mine at once.

"I'm so sorry, Ze—"

I was out the door before she could finish her statement.

.....

I had to take a cab to Fable and Fabric to fetch my own car since Grayson and I had gone to Vlyrissa's in his.

Thank God the cab man ignored the emotional meltdown happening in his backseat. We made solid eye contact at least five times. I guess he's chauffeured enough heartbreaks to know when to mind his business.

I got my car and drove home the fastest.

Home.

I laughed.

I couldn't believe the monster's place had gradually become my 'home.' I couldn't believe all I wanted now was to crawl into his oversized bed and vanish under his sheets.

But Lord, I hoped he wasn't there. I was currently a mess and couldn't afford him seeing me like this.

Since I moved in, my phone was linked to the gate's lock system. It meant I could come and go without needing him to buzz me in.

I didn't stop shaking until I reached the bedroom and felt some kind of protection.

Void wasn't home. Thank every cursed star in the damn galaxy.

I paced the room, arms crossed tight over my chest, fingers digging into my sides. Being away from the danger didn't make me feel better. If anything, it gave my mind free rein to replay everything in HD.

My hands unconsciously toyed with the pendant on my neck.

Grayson almost raped me.

There was something different about trusting someone and having them betray you. That kind of backstabbing was what made people traumatized.

My brain was a mess and my heart felt like it had been scraped raw with a cheese grater. I didn't want to be alone. I didn't want to think. I just needed someone. Anyone.

I sat on the bed and called Veronica. She picked up on the first ring.

"Hey, babe! I knew—"

A gruff male voice cut her off in the background. "I've told you, Veronica, it's either law or customer service. One more call and I'm moving you to reception."

I didn't need a face to place the voice. It was her boss.

"What? This is literally my first call today! And the last two don't even count. They were like ten seconds!"

"You can't. Void won't allow it." Plus, that'd make him suspect there was something wrong with me.

"Ugh! Then, can you come over? I just...I just need to see you."

My entire body sagged at the idea. "I don't think I've got the strength to even reach the door, Nica. I just need some sleep. I'll be fine… eventually."

She scratched her scalp, frustration practically steaming from her ears. Her thoughts were no doubt sprinting for solutions.

"Okay. So, when are you going to the police? We could loop in Meredith immediately—blow this whole thing wide open."

"Nica—"

"No. No, Rali. Don't you dare tell me you're actually considering what Vlyrissa said. I swear, if I think too much about that woman defending him, I might throw my phone out the window. And I like this phone. But this—this is serious. You can't let this slide. That slimy bastard needs to pay for what he did."

"I know. God, I wish I could make him pay. But... taking this to the police, Void might find out. And I can't... I don't want that. You... You know how he is."

"You're scared he'll kill him."

"Yes. And I don't want that, Nica. Void's killed too many people for my sake already. I can't live with the guilt of another."

She rolled her eyes, hating the reality of it. "Yeah, yeah. You probably right. So, what's the next step?"

I dragged my fingers through my hair, pushing back a few strands that clung to my forehead

"I guess... that'll be leaving the company." The words tasted bitter. "There's no way I'm going anywhere near that man again."

"Damn right," she snapped without hesitation. "You need to be galaxies away from him."

A sigh trembled out of me. "So, I might go resign tomorrow and get the rest of my things." The thought didn't just sting, it carved straight through my chest.

I'd poured so much of myself into Fable and Fabric. It was the one corner of my world that gave my creativity room to breathe, stretch, and mean something

Oh, damn you, Grayson Knightley.

"Good. Then, I'll go with you. But Rali, don't you think Void will get suspicious if you suddenly quit the job?"

Oh, God.

I dropped my head in my free palm. I hadn't thought of that.

Void knew how much I loved my job. I'll need to come up with a convincing lie. But Void wasn't just anyone. He was a master of sniffing out secrets; a human lie detector with a sixth sense for trouble.

What was I supposed to do now?