Free Battle: BWWM Dystopian Interracial Sci-Fi Romance (Betwixt Chocolate Book 2) by Tamara Black Page A

getting along so well.”
    “We are, but…”
    Her voice fell silent as she backed away a few steps.
    “Just not yet, okay?”
    She twirled around and fled my father’s office. I thought about chasing after her, but decided it wasn’t worth the effort. Her strength and independence were two of the big reasons I found myself so attracted to her. Despite her brushing me off, hope sprung up inside of me. If we could find a way to break everyone’s addiction to chocolate, the entire world would be changed considerably. As if on cue, Cricket walked into the room.
    “You call?” he asked.
    “Yeah, Cricket. I need your help. Can you go scout the no man’s land between here and House Ballmore?”
    “Can do.”
    “Are you sure? You’ve helped so much already.”
    Am I wrong asking him? I wondered.
    “No problem,” he replied in his usual tone.
    “Great. Don’t stay gone too long. Just find out what’s going on and come back, okay?”
    “Sure thing.”
    “Good luck, Cricket. We’re depending on you.”
    He left the office as quietly as he’d entered. Once he was gone, I gathered a few notes from the desk and headed to the factory floor. Every few steps, someone would stop to wave or say hello. I smiled at each of them, hating all the attention of being the person in charge. Why can’t Ree and I just go somewhere and live together? The answer was evident as I climbed on a stainless steel table to get everyone’s attention.
    “We’re doing it,” I yelled.
    The workers, black and white, cheered. When it died down, I continued.
    “Things are going to be tough, but we’re on our way to a bright new world.” As my eyes scanned the audience, I caught a glimpse of Ree staring at me. “You’ve been working really hard, so I thought I would give you some good news.”
    I paused for effect as another round of applause flared up even before I’d said anything.
    “We may have found a cure for chocolate addiction!”
    Silence swept over the crowd. The only sound was a few of the machines running in the background. Too much too soon? I wondered.
    “It’s true,” Ree said loudly, stepping out from against a wall. “We’re going to find the cure and give it to all the people of the world.”
    Immediately, the excitement and energy of the crowd returned, but this time it was at least ten times more powerful. While it was risky to give them false hopes if we failed in our mission, I wanted to be able to recall the peoples’ faces so I didn’t quit until I finished my quest. Ree looked over at me. We made eye contact for a few brief seconds that seemed like eternity.
    “Let’s get back to work and make ourselves a better world,” I shouted.
    As everyone began talking at once, I climbed off the table and made my way through all the people. By the time I got to the other side of the room, Ree was nowhere to be seen. Undeterred, I wandered from the factory to her sleeping quarters in a building with myself and the other people running the factory-city. I paused outside her door a moment, wondering if I should knock. Unable to get her out of my mind, I rapped twice.
    After another quick tap against the wooden door with no answer, I turned and headed to my room. It was sparsely furnished on my request. Until all the people could enjoy comfort and freedom, I wanted to be as close to them and their world as possible. In my mind, it was the best way to avoid any revolts. My addiction to chocolate helped me bond with my people.
    Hours of tossing and turning passed. Heavy is the head that wears the crown.
     

Two

Tony
     
    While talk of a quest to find a cure for chocolate addiction was nice, it wasn’t practical. Word of our toppling House DeeCee continued to spread. Since we couldn’t spare anyone for a long distance journey to House Newyo, Ree and I directed our attention to other matters. I created a new security force and worked on tightening up the factory-city’s defenses. She went in the opposite direction,