A/N: Hi everyone! Thanks for checking out the second book of the Victor's Ally series! If you haven't already, please read the first book or none of this will make sense!

This one will have both Juliet and Luke's point of view, so I hope you enjoy the new perspective.

Warnings: This book will be slightly darker than the first book as it deals with prostitution, violence, etc. as it covers what the Victors experience after their games.

Chapter 1 – Juliet

The flying colors of an unidentifiable district filled my vision through the window of the train. I wished more than ever that the empty feeling I worked so hard to maintain would come back, but my walls had come crashing down after my birthday and I hadn't been able to build them back up. It was barely been a week after I had returnedhome for the last stop on my Victory Tour that I awoke to a thick, bright white envelope on my doorstep. I had snatched it up before either my parents or Kit had come across it, but I didn't even need to read it to know what it contained. A day later and here I was, on my way to the Capitol. I hadn't had a chance to even say goodbye to Luke, and no doubt he would be wondering where I was. Hopefully, I would be back before I knew it and I could pretend this was all a nightmare.

The last thing I wanted was to meet with some random Capitol man and be forced to sell the one thing I still had left for myself, but it was too late to turn back now. I briefly wondered what would happen if I just stepped out the nearest train door and onto the deep tracks below. The door probably wouldn't even open if I tried.

I knew Luke would be able to relate to me if I told him, but no matter how much I wanted to, I needed to keep this from him at all costs. He thought he could protect me, but he was in too deep already. It was my turn to protect him now. I hoped that Snow would maintain the deal we had made, but I was constantly keeping an eye out to make sure he was keeping his word. So far, he hadn't called Luke to the Capitol. A small part of me was relieved that he was spared for now, but the selfish part of me was much larger and filled with dread for the fate that awaited me.

I tried not to hold a grudge; Luke and I had tentatively built back up our friendship after the Victory Tour's stop in the Capitol, but I still felt his rejection cut through my stomach like a knife every time I thought about it. After all this time, and after everything we went through, he still kept me at a distance and refused to be with me. If he couldn't be with me now, he never would be able to. The thought that I had lost him forever hurt more than anything else. I thought of his messy hair, beautiful hazel eyes, sharp jawline, and gentle hands. The gentle hands that I wish would be touching me instead of some random man twice my age.

The unusually smooth train hit a sudden bump and my forehead cracked against the window, bringing tears to my eyes. We began to slow, and my stomach plummeted to the floor as the tall, grey Capitol buildings filled my view. I didn't stand until two Peacekeepers came to retrieve me, attempting to delay the inevitable as long as possible.

They escorted me into a building that looked almost identical to the Training Center, but there were no tributes or stylists milling about. The men were almost twice my height and kept their gloved hands on my arms, as if I would be able to escape even if I wanted to try. I was here for a reason, to keep my family safe, and I couldn't back out now. They sent me into the elevator, pushing the ninth button before backing out, leaving me alone with only my reflection in the shiny metal doors.

When I entered my temporary apartment, the first thing I noticed was the envelope on the counter. It was a blinding white, as always, and sealed with a blood red stamp. On the inside was a name, address, and time, exactly as it had been on the one Luke had showed me. I squeeze my eyes shut tightly, feeling the desperation creep into my bones. I wished I had been able to tell Luke, and maybe he would have understood that I needed him. They were taking everything from me, stripping me from my dignity. The only thing I had left was a choice, and I wished I had chosen to spend my first time with someone who loved me and cared about me. I almost laughed at the thought; even if Luke wanted to have sex with me, he would never under these circumstances.

I dropped the envelope back onto the counter. I didn't want this for myself.

Finnick. Finnick said he would help me. I still had the entire night ahead of me before my presence was required, and I needed Finnick. If he was in the same situation as me, as Luke had said before, then maybe Snow would have called him back too. Desperately, I entered the elevator and jammed my thumb into the fourth button. I had no idea if this building had the same layout as the Training Center or if Finnick would even be here, but my eyes were clouded with tears and my shaking hands were desperate.

The doors opened and I flung myself forward, pounding on the entrance to the apartment I had to assume was meant for the District Four victor. My fists began to throb and I dropped my hands uselessly at my sides. A long moment passed. My heart dropped when I realized he probably wasn't even there.

Suddenly the door flew open, a wide-eyed Finnick on the other side. "Juliet?" He stared, his mouth slightly parted. "What are you doing here?"

I took in his disheveled appearance, reminding me so much of Luke. Finnick had the gift of a few years on Luke, making his face sharper and more angular with a slight trace of stubble on his jawline. His eyes were a beautiful sea-green, but for a moment I could catch the similar glimmer of Luke's hazel ones. His hair, although a sandy blonde in deep contrast with Luke's dark locks, was just as messy and disheveled.

"Finnick." My voice came out as a cry and I lunged forward, grabbing a fistful of his shirt and tugging him forward. I tightened my grip and dragged him down to my level, slamming his lips to mine. After a moment he pulled away, his eyes wide in surprise and confusion.

"What are you doing?" He questioned, blinking rapidly. If it was a different situation I would have laughed that I had caught the suave Finnick Odair off guard.

"Please." I whispered, afraid my hands would shake too violently if I loosened my grip on his shirt. My words came out breathy as I struggled to maintain my composure. "I can't let them take this away from me. This- this needs to be my choice first, on my terms."

He kept my gaze and I could practically see the wheels turning in his mind. He pulled me into the apartment, letting the door shut behind me. I yanked him back down to my lips and he tugged me closer. His large hand wrapped around on my waist, the searing warmth practically burning me through my flimsy jacket. His lips were rough against mine, and it was nothing like the gentle kisses I had shared with Luke. Tears streamed down my face and he jerked back, feeling the wetness on my cheeks.

"No." He dropped his arms, jumping away from me.

"Please." I cried again, my arms uselessly searching for him.

"No." He shook his head aggressively. "No, no. We're not doing this. I'm not doing this to you."

"It's going to happen whether you do it or not." I shrieked, flinging my hands up in anger. "I'd rather it be you."

He hesitated. The look of sympathy in his eyes made me want to throw up. I didn't want his sympathy.

"Juliet, I can't. I'm sorry."

Tears continued to stream down my face and he pulled me in, tugging my in a tight hug and tucking my head under his chin. I pushed at him weakly, but his hold was strong, and I eventually gave in. I clung to him as he stroked my hair, letting me sob all over his shirt.

"It's going to be okay." He promised, but I could tell there was no conviction behind his words.

"No, it won't be." I cried. His light touches on my hair stilled for a moment, and I could feel him breathing deeply against me.

He pulled away slightly, placing his strong hands on the sides of my arms and compelling me to meet his gaze.

"It will be." He sounded stronger this time. "This isn't an easy life, but you have to get through this. For your family."

He was right, but I still felt anger toward him. "You said you would help me, Finnick."

He shook his head again.

"Not like this." His voice turned bitter, but he didn't seem upset with me. "This isn't what you want. I can't do that to you. Or to Luke."

"I don't give a shit about Luke!" I yanked my arms away from him and practically stomped my foot, but my resolve was wavering. I didn't want any of this.

Finnick sighed. "Yes, you do."

I stayed quiet. When Finnick had pulled away, my body temperature had dropped and I felt as cold as I did back in the arena. I shivered, wrapping my arms around myself and letting the tears flow silently down my reddening cheeks.

"Follow me." Finnick demanded, turning on his heel and down a hallway. I complied, taking slow steps. He led me to his bedroom, yanking a warm sweater out of one of the drawers and handing it to me. I pulled it silently over my head and let him sit my unresponsive body down on his bed. Without a word he left the room.

I stared at the floor. An intricate design patterned the soft rug under the large bed, and I let my unfocused eyes follow the loops and turns. Finnick returned moments later with a steaming mug in his hand.

"When…" He trailed off, clearly unsure how to phrase his question, "when are they requesting you?"

"Tomorrow." I responded flatly. He nodded, delicately handing me the mug. The warmth burned my fingers, but the pain was welcome. He sat down beside me, the bed dipping lower under his weight.

"I was sixteen when Snow first came to me." Finnick's voice was bitter again, and this time it was clear who he was upset with. "I had no idea what was happening. I had no one to turn to."

His hand was clenched into a fist. I reached out a hand, pulling his fist apart and lacing his fingers through mine. He kept his gaze trained on his lap but squeezed my hand in gratitude.

"I thought I could help Johanna, when she won. I tried to warn her, but she was too angry. She didn't take me seriously. So, they killed her family. Then Luke won. They loved him, and I knew it would happen."

Luke had explained this to me when I had first found out, but hearing it come from Finnick was even more heartbreaking. At least Luke had Finnick to confide in. Finnick had no one. His vulnerability made him seem much younger than I had originally thought, and I realized that he was only three years older than me. He was so young when he became a Victor that he was forced to become an adult at the young age of fourteen. Only a year older than Kit was now.

The older boy glanced at me, testing to see if I already knew this. My expression remained blank, so he took this as a sign to continue.

"I helped him through it the best I could, but it breaks you, Juliet. No one can help us. We just have to survive."

I took a sip from the mug. The heat wasn't as searing as before, but it was hot enough to calm my shivering body.

"I made a deal with Snow." I admitted to Finnick. He looked up in confusion, meeting my eyes for the first time since we sat down.

I continued, "I told him I would do whatever he asked of me if he spared Luke. I didn't think it would work. He still has my entire family to hold against me. But he said yes." I bit my lip, remember the too-smug look on the President's face when he agreed to my terms.

Finnick let a noise that sounded close to a laugh. "He won't spare any of us."

"I think it's worked, so far. Last year, after he won, he got called back to the Capitol so many times. It's only been a couple weeks, but so far there's been nothing."

He smiled, but it didn't quite reach his eyes. "I hope that's true."

His words were sincere, but I could still sense his doubt.

"You can't tell him. I haven't told him anything. This…this would kill him, Finnick. He thought he could protect me, he can't know." Fresh tears welled up in my eyes. I hated how emotional I was being in front of a man I barely knew, but after practically jumping him earlier and being rejected, I couldn't get any lower.

"I won't. I promise." He laughed bitterly. "I'm quite good at keeping secrets, if you haven't heard."

I didn't understand the reference, but I smiled gratefully. He leaned back on the pillows of his bed, patting the spot beside him. I laid down next to him, folding my hands and staring up at the ceiling. We laid in silence for a while, both of us thinking about what was waiting for us tomorrow.

The sky had been dark for ages before Finnick finally spoke again.

"Are you sure this is what you want?"

I sighed. "What I don't want is to lose my virginity to some random Capitol man, Finnick. This is all I have left."

"Please, Finnick," I whispered softly, keeping my eyes on the dark ceiling, "I would never make you do anything you didn't want to do, but-"

"This isn't about me, Juliet. This is about you. I don't want you to regret anything."

"I wouldn't. I'm sure."

His next admission was so quiet I wouldn't have heard him if my ear wasn't level with his mouth. "I'm in love with Annie."

I stayed silent for a moment. There was only one Annie he could be talking about, who had won the 70th Hunger Games, but I thought she had gone mad. Perhaps that wasn't a bad thing, considering how Snow treated his desirable victors. I took his hand again.

"I'm in love with Luke." I offered back, the admission making me feel extra guilty for trying to proposition Finnick. However, Finnick was here right now, and I had to remind myself once more than Luke didn't want me.

We both remained silent, staring at the ceiling and laying with our hands clasped between us.

"Okay." He whispered suddenly, turning over to face me. I flipped onto my side, meeting his unreadable expression.

"Okay." I nodded.

He placed a gentle hand on the back of my neck, bringing me forward so his lips could meet mine.

"I better get going." I spoke lowly, refusing to meet Finnick's eyes. The sun had just risen but we were already in the kitchen, sitting at the table and drinking bitter coffee. I didn't want to be alone after last night so I stayed, but it hadn't done anything to help the insomnia that plagued me. I knew there would be large bags under my eyes but I didn't care. I wanted to look as terrible as possible.

Finnick took the mug from me and brought it to the sink. I could tell by his silence that he felt guilty. I didn't want him to. Yesterday I was desperate, but overnight I had accepted my fate. All I wanted was to make my own decision about my first time, and I would never be able to repay him for giving that to me. He wrapped me in his arms one last time, looking down at me with an unreadable expression.

"You'll be okay."

I gave him a small smile of gratitude before untangling myself from his arms and exiting his apartment.

I shut the door softly behind me. The brief moment of peace I had felt was starting to dissipate, and my legs started to shake again. Before I even pressed the button, the elevator pinged. The doors slid open, revealing someone I instantly recognized.

"Woah, I wasn't expecting to see you here, Nine." Johanna Mason's cutting voice was full of amusement. "I thought you were too busy with your mentor to have time for our resident pretty boy on the fourth floor."

I gaped for a minute, taken aback by her biting tone.

"I- It's not... I wasn't..." I stammered, fumbling with my words. She raised a single eyebrow, looking me up and down as she took in my appearance. I forgot I was still wearing Finnick's sweater. I lowered my head and pushed past her into the elevator. I had a lot more to worry about than the District Seven Victor. She grinned, making a zipping motion in front of her lips as she stepped off onto Finnick's floor. I glared back until the elevator doors finally shut.