Smith nodded. With one suitcase and fifty dollars. “I bought a bus ticket from Connecticut to New York City. The first mistake I made.” There had been so many more. But he was able to use his size to survive. He glanced down at his knuckles. The scars were visible. He’d learned to fight, to steal, to survive. He fought to live, and when he grew strong enough, he hired his skills out and fought for others. For monsters like Simmons.
“I couldn’t imagine what it would be like not to have anyone to help. My parents were older, but I had aunts and uncles.” She swallowed hard. “I’m so sorry for that young man.”
Smith blinked and cocked his head. That was an interesting turn of words. “Not for me, though?”
“For the younger you, yes. He had to be terrified and, in the end, forced into unfathomable positions. For the man I’m looking at now. No.” Val reached for her champagne flute.
“Why’s that?” He leaned toward her pod.
“Because the man in front of me is resilient, strong, determined, and intelligent. He doesn’t need my pity.”
A slow smile spread across his face. “I would not welcome your pity.”
She smiled back at him. “See. I love being correct.” She chuckled, then seriously asked, “Have you spoken to your parents or sisters lately?”
He shook his head. “I have no connection with my sisters. They went to different boarding schools, and we were strangers living in the same house when we were home. I haven’t spoken to any of them since I walked out that door almost twenty-one years ago. My parents weren’t the most nurturing. I can only assume they did what they thought was best.”
“For themselves,” Val snipped.
“Probably,” Smith agreed. “I wouldn’t put them up for parents of the year, but there are far worse out there.” He’d read reports and studied the science behind familial bonding and why it did or didn’t happen. Still, he didn’t understand how his parents thought turning him out would benefit anyone. Rational, logical intelligence, which he knew he had, couldn’t connect the dots on his parent’s cognitive processes.
Val grumbled something unintelligible, and he tapped his ear. “I’m sorry, I didn’t catch that.”
“Worse children, too. Like Mrs. Henshaw’s kids.” Val tipped up her champagne and finished the glass in one go. “I hate those people. I’ve schemed a million ways of making them pay for abandoning her.”
“She was proud of them and what they’d accomplished. She loved them.” Smith had sat with her in the evenings, listened to the same stories, and witnessed a mother’s connection. It was the first time he understood what unconditional love looked like.
“Well, she was a better person than I am.” Val huffed.
Smith reached out and took her hand in his. “I don’t believe people can be graded by goodness. People are moldable based on innumerable influences and pressures. Goodness is only one facet of a complex formula.”
Val threaded her fingers between his. “How do you categorize those who are good versus those who are bad?”
He hummed and nodded his head. “I try not to do so. I’ve been taken advantage of by people I thought were good and helped by those I knew were bad. Good and bad can be mirages. In my experience, a person is a threat, or they’re not. Assuming shades of anything beyond that leaves you vulnerable.”
Val stared at him for several long seconds. “I am not a threat to you.”
He smiled. “I believe you don’t think you are. However, this attraction between us makes me vulnerable. Therefore, you are a threat, but you’re one I’m willing to engage, and any damage done will be accepted as a consequence of my attraction to you.” One thing he knew, there would be payment rendered. He just didn’t know what the cost would be.
The cabin crew announced prep for takeoff, and they strapped on their seatbelts. The wall between them was lifted for the taxi and takeoff. Smith closed his eyes and felt the vibration of the aircraft around him. “I don’t want you to think of me as a threat.” He could hear Val’s words but not see her. It was eerie. He smiled, although she couldn’t see him.
“I understand, but I cannot change what I see.”
“Then I’ll be vigilant to mitigate any consequences you may face due to the attraction between us.” Val’s words vibrated in his ear.
“Are you mocking me?” He chuckled when she groaned.
“No, I was trying to be reassuring,” she huffed.
“Thank you.” Most people would overlook his opinion or not give a damn. In the short time he’d been in her company after Mrs. Henshaw passed, Val had treated him with respect, friendship, and humor. A heady combination.
3
Val stared at the lifted partition between her and Smithson. His analysis of the relationship, the fact that she’d leave him vulnerable, was probably true. But she needed him to understand she was leaving herself vulnerable, too. Together, they could be stronger. “You’re not the only one who’ll be vulnerable.”
There was a hum of agreement from him. “Then I’ll return the pledge. Based on our developing relationship, I’ll endeavor to mitigate any vulnerabilities to you.”
Val cringed. “That sounds like a transaction. I want us to have fun.”