“A few days? They’re gonna turn the water off in two!”
Ax nods solemnly.
“I know, and until then I need you to not do anything stupid and to trust me.”
“I’m not gonna—”
“Ana,” Ax says in a warning voice and I huff. “Last time I said not to do anything stupid, you challenged a psychopath to a death battle.”
I flush a bit and start to bite back a reply, but really, he’s got me.
“Okay, I trust you,” I finally reply, though I wonder again if we will really have a choice in a day or two. Something else crosses my mind. “Does Ethan know about Crow?”
Ax nods, “Yes, but I never told him the exit might still exist and he’s the only one who even knows that much. I never trusted anyone else with the knowledge.”
Despite the situation, I feel a small swell of warmth at the thought he trusts me enough to tell me. It’s been a whirlwind couple of weeks, and I absolutely love this man, but trust is something both of us have issues with. It’s equally terrifying and invigorating to have someone to trust again.
My stomach grumbles loudly, reminding me it’s late and I’ve barely eaten all day. A small smile strikes Ax’s face and I feel my cheeks flush. He kisses one lightly before standing and making his way over to our food stores.
“When we are on the outside,” he tells me, “I am going to get you all the apples and sweet stuff you can eat.”
“When we are outside,” I repeat in a trance, the realization finally coming to me. “We’re going to be free.”
He nods as he measures out some water and turns on the tiny burner we used to cook. I watch him critically.
“Are you scared?” I ask and he looks at me confused. “To be on the outside, I mean.”
Ax pauses in his motions for only a moment before continuing but seems to consider the question before he finally replies.
“Yes,” he tells me honestly. “But I’m more scared of losing you.”
Twelve
Ana
“There’s supposed to be a Pit Fight today,” I recall as we both dress for the day. So much happened yesterday it’s hard to keep it all straight in my head.
“You should let it happen,” Ax tells me as he pulls his pant legs up and I frown. “It’ll keep them distracted, plus give you a place to address yesterday’s bullshit.”
“How the hell am I supposed to address that?” I ask incredulously. I kind of assumed we’d lie low for a day or two while we figured out our exit strategy, and I tell him as much. He runs his hand over his head, sighing.
“As much as I want to keep you with me—it kills me to think you won’t be right beside me—I need to get below, quietly, to get started. Once the electricity goes, it’ll get even harder. I need one of us up here keeping an eye on shit.”
He pulls me to him, squeezing a bit harder than necessary.
“You’re a dark fucking queen and I love you,” he rasps, “but don’t do anything stupid.”
I nod, and he kisses me fiercely before leaning down to tie his boots. I’m dizzy from the mood swings.
“These men need your threats, you need to address it head on,” he tells me. “We can’t avoid it. Everyone knows by now, and I don’t doubt there are already plans to give you up. Act confident and sure, I know you can do it.”
When he finishes, he stops to look into my eyes.
“You need to be careful,” he warns, “and keep Clarence with you at all times.”
“Brutus,” I correct, taking in the rest.
I chew my lip without thinking. I’m not a coward and want to exude strength right now, but I am doubting myself. I appreciate what Ax and the others said yesterday about me doing well but really, I’m just making this shit up as I go.