Unmarked

62. Equal

A whole spectrum of blue and purple which I never knew existed covers my skin. Grey doesn't mention how terrible I look as he helps me change, I don't know why. I have eyes, I can see I look a mess.

"At least the bruises cover my unmarked skin. It's an improvement," I joke as he helps me pull a clean cami top on. Having an arm in a cast is terrible apart from all the attention from Grey. I like that part.

"You're perfect. Don't let anyone let you believe otherwise." Grey brushes his lips against mine.

His casual affection catches me off guard and I struggle with an appropriate response. I wonder if this is what a more normal upbringing gives you; the ability to express real emotions.

"We need to make a decision about what we're doing soon," Grey says, sitting next to me on the mattress.

"I won't leave with you," I say. Grey starts to interrupt but I continue talking, "Instead, I have an alternative solution. I know you said you don't want to be part of The Organisation but what about working alongside them on our own terms?"

"In what way?"

"You said Milo and Zed were working on freeing people from labour camp. Now we know why they've been unsuccessful. Because The State can track people's whereabouts due to their Birth Brands. Whereas we can't be tracked so we can hire out our services. Get them to pay us to do jobs which they need untrackable people for. We could carry messages, get near labour camps, maybe even enter them to help free people."

"Are you being serious?" Grey's eyes widen.

"Yes."

"Do you know how dangerous it would be to attempt to enter a labour camp? I thought you didn't want anything to do with Jas or the organisation after he tried to kill you." Grey inhales deeply and I see him trying to process my idea

"Can you tell me you'd honestly be happy to hide away for the rest of your life? Possibly end up back at a place like the fight club?" I pause. "We both know the answer is no. When we offer our services, we'll make it clear we don't want to deal with Jas."

My intentions are not completely about what Grey wants; I'm currently debating how honest to be with Grey. No more lies, learn from my past as he put it, try to become a better person.

"Also, I have someone I want to get out of a labour camp," I add.

"Who?"

"Teddy. The friend who helped me get into The State's Headquarters." I focus on my arm in the cast then realise I'm being a coward so I look up at Grey who is frowning. I want him to know how important he is to me, how this has nothing to do with me liking Teddy more than a friend. "I'm responsible for him being sent to a labour camp so if I can help him escape, I should."

"Ok," Grey says slowly. "And how do you know he's in a labour camp?"

"I don't, but usually traitors are sent to labour camps and I know they would have figured out he helped me."

"You do realise there are multiple labour camps and The State won't tell us where anyone has been sent."

"We may find an Official who sympathises with our cause otherwise we could bribe one. Anyway, The organisation must have at least one Official working for them."

Grey exhales loudly and runs his fingers through be his hair. "Ok. As long as we have the final say on decisions, not Charlie or Jas. I want to make a difference but if I think the task is too dangerous or won't work I want to be able to say no and you have to listen."

"Agreed, as long as I can do the same."

"Of course, this is an equal partnership."

"An equal partnership," I repeat slowly. "Is that what we're calling this?" I smile, pointing between the two of us.

Grey's mouth curls in amusement. "What else would it be called? We're not engaged or married."

"I think The State would deem this 'a forbidden liaison'."

"They deem a lot of things as forbidden. I've learnt to ignore most of what they say." Grey wraps an arm around my waist and eases me onto my back. My body heats as he places a hand on either side of my head and lowers his voice, "Cady, will you be my equal partner?"

"Your voice sounds very sexy when you say that. Do it again please."

Grey smirks. "Cady, will you be my equal partner?"

For once I don't succumb to the urge to run, to close myself off and protect him from the risk of associating with me. I've decided to take this one day at a time and if the risks do become too great for Grey, I'll put a halt to everything. For now, I want to delay the future, freeze this moment and stay permanently suspended in my bubble of ignorance, where only me and Grey exist.

"I'm going to be really embarrassed if you don't say yes," Grey says interrupting my thoughts.

"Yes, Grey, I'll be your equal partner." I wrap my hand around his neck and pull him down for a kiss. Grinning against his lips, I say, "I think we should celebrate by getting naked and you using that voice."

Grey leans back to look down at me and chuckles. "We will once you're healed."

"You're no fun."

Grey's lips brush against my neck, along my jaw. My skin hums with excitement, my insides clench with anticipation. I love how my body responds to him.

"We can still have fun with our clothes on." Grey murmurs.

"Prove it."