Ch. 4

Push-ups, squats, training with small dumbbells - I had taken Aljona's words to heart in order to build up my muscles precisely, and I occupied myself with them extensively over the next few days. 

"You are really hardworking," said my father when he entered the tent and saw me on the ground.

I finished the last few sit-ups and got up. "What use do I have for you if I'm not strong enough?" I said finally.

He eyed me for a moment and nodded. "I'm glad and relieved that you chose our side, Riley."

I nodded and wiped my forehead with a towel. "I have decided for justice and against the man who has half my family on the conscience."

Perhaps that statement wasn't even a lie, even though I continued to have deep feelings for One. At least I had stopped crying myself to sleep every night. The only thing I wanted now was to hear directly from him that he had been involved in the cleanings back then. In removing my settlement. That would help me to draw a real line and close with this chapter. But that wouldn't automatically mean that I would join Lex without hesitation. First, I had to find out what exactly he was really up to, and then I'd decide whether or not to join his fight. But my father didn't have to know that exactly, he should believe that I was now on his and Lex's side.

"You wouldn't have survived all those years alone in the surrounding area if you weren't very strong," he remarked as I went down again and got myself into the position for push-ups. "To imagine yourself wandering out there all alone, with nothing to eat for days, no safe place to sleep ..." He shook his head. "I've been haunted by that from the moment I saw you in Lex's study."

"I survived," I said as soon as I finished my first sentence. “And it made me stronger. You only discover your strengths in such extreme situations. "

"Yes, that's right," he confirmed with a nod. “I see an incredible strength resting and raging in you. That is admirable. For me you were always just my little, blonde angel with the big, curious eyes. When I look at you now, I see a brave young woman who stands up for her beliefs. I am very proud of you, child. "

I finished the pushups and then straightened up again. "Thank you, Papa." My chest felt warm. "What you're saying means a lot to me." And it really did. Even though there was still a certain distance between us, his opinion was important to me.

"It's the truth. I'm so proud of you And so is Lex. He sees how hard you are trying to find your place with us. "

I swallowed unobtrusively and let my father continue talking. I hoped to learn from him if I'd finally managed to gain Lex's trust.

"You can be of great help to us, Riley," he said finally. "Would you like to help?"

"Of course I want to help," I said with determination.

"Well. Because right now we urgently need your help. ”He stepped up to me and put his hands on my shoulders. “The Hunter leader isn't talking to us. Lex has tried a few things to get him to talk, but none of them worked. The fellow is tough. "

I tensed when I heard this. Immediately images appeared before my inner eye, which showed me all kinds of cruelty and which I was only able to suppress with great difficulty. 

"And now you want me to try my luck?" I asked, doing my best to sound completely calm and not let it show how much this information moved me.

"Yes. Would you do that?"

The turmoil grew inside me, but I just cocked my chin and looked determinedly at my father. "If you trust me enough, I'll try."

He put both hands on my cheeks and smiled. “We trust you, Riley. We believe in you and that you are on the right side. Tonight Lex wants to discuss everything with you in detail. And maybe with your help we can soon achieve a great success for ourselves. "

"I will not disappoint you," I said and ignored my violent palpitation when I thought that I might see One again soon.

My father waited until I finished my training, then we went out to eat. Logan joined us and I found - not for the first time - that my father was actually trying to bring him and me closer. What was he hoping for? Maybe he thought I'd get rid of the annoying feelings for the Hunter leader faster if I distracted myself with another guy? I would have loved to squeeze the two of them together, but I refrained from it. It might not be so bad if my father thought I was getting involved with Logan. Still, I was reluctant to actually approach Logan in any way and play with his feelings. I was prepared to take on a lot to achieve my goals, but I still had a few scruples. Deliberately breaking the heart of a young guy was out of the question. At least not yet. I couldn't tell if the desperation wouldn't eventually make me do it.