Page 53 of Klaz
My chest tightened, a surge of anger and hurt rising within me. “Are you fucking kidding me?”
Klaz’s jaw clenched. “It’s for the best, Cinta. You’ll be safe. You can start over, have a normal life.”
I laughed, the sound harsh and bitter. “A normal life? Do you even know me at all?”
“I know you deserve better than this.” His voice was low, intense. “Better than... me.”
“Oh, spare me the noble sacrifice bullshit.” I stood up, ignoring the protest from my healing shoulder. “You don’t get to decide what’s best for me.”
Klaz’s eyes flashed. “I’m trying to protect you.”
“I don’t need your protection!” I snapped. “I’ve been taking care of myself since I was a kid. What makes you think I need you to swoop in and ‘save’ me now?”
“Because you nearly died!” Klaz roared, his composure cracking. “Do you have any idea what it was like, knowing that just as easily you could have been killed by that laser blast? Ordrowned under that casino?” His eyes looked wild, frantic. “I might never have found your body.”
“So that gives you the right to ship me off like some inconvenient package?” I stepped closer, glaring up at him. “News flash, big guy - I’m not some damsel in distress for you to rescue.”
Klaz’s hands clenched at his sides. “This isn’t a game, Cinta. The life I lead... it’s dangerous. You could get hurt. You could-”
“Die?” I finished for him. “Newsflash, Klaz - I could die crossing the street. At least with you, I’d be living.”
He shook his head, a pained expression crossing his face. “You don’t understand.”
“Then explain it to me,” I challenged. “Because from where I’m standing, it looks like you’re just running scared.”
Klaz’s eyes narrowed. “I’m not running from anything.”
“No?” I stepped even closer. “Then why are you so eager to get rid of me?”
“I’m not-” He cut himself off, frustration evident in every line of his body. “This isn’t about getting rid of you. It’s about keeping you safe.”
“And who says I want to be safe?” I countered. “Maybe I want dangerous. Maybe I want you.”
The words hung in the air, charged with all the unspoken tension of the past few days. Klaz’s eyes widened, a flash of longing crossing his face before he shuttered his expression.
“You don’t know what you’re saying,” he growled.
“Don’t patronize me,” I snapped. “I’m not some naive kid. I know exactly what I’m saying, and what I want.”
“And what about what I want?” Klaz’s voice was low, dangerous. “Did you ever consider that?”
“Oh, I’ve considered it plenty,” I shot back. “But I’m starting to think you’re too much of a coward to admit it.”
Klaz’s hand shot out, gripping my uninjured arm. “You have no idea what you’re playing with, little human.”
I met his gaze defiantly. “Then show me.”
For a moment, I thought he might actually do it. But then Klaz released me, taking a step back.
“This discussion is over,” he said coldly. “Get some rest. We’ll reach the nearest spaceport in a few hours.”
As he turned to leave, something inside me snapped. “You’re a fucking coward, Klaz Renka.”
He froze, his hand on the door panel. “What did you say?”
“You heard me,” I spat. “You talk about danger, about protecting me, but you’re just scared. Scared of feeling something real for once in your miserable life.”
Klaz whirled around, his eyes blazing. “You don’t know anything about my life.”