An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works
Excerpt
‘You train under our eye or you don’t train at all’ – fuck [Walker for that].
And no one said a word about it. Well, at this point it wasn’t a surprise that Jake didn’t speak up. His silence wasn’t worth more than a contemptuous look – and that was what made Jake finally open his moth, his expression that of familiar disappointment. Troy didn’t need to hear him speak to know what he wanted to say; wanted to rebuke Troy, cow Troy. Just like that first day in the basement.
He turned away, gaze flying to Madison.
“And you?” he exclaimed, “You just gonna let him do this?”
To her credit, Madison didn’t flinch under his glare, nor his words. Met his eyes defiantly. Silently. Like he wasn’t worth an explanation. Fuck her, too.
“This your idea of revenge, huh? Inviting them into our homes. Letting them take control… Told you, you need more fight than that.” He spit that last part, his lips pulling into a snarl.
Something pained passed over her face, just for a second, then her gaze slid to her right. He followed it, understanding passing over him. Understanding and rage anew.
“Oh right, I forgot,” he said and almost sounded it, too, “the only thing you care about is your kids. The rest of us be damned.”
Again she was quiet. Because he was right. His lips curled distastefully, his whole face contorting with anger. And again she didn’t flinch.
