He doesn’t answer, because he can’t. Because he doesn’tknow. He has absolutely no idea how he’ll react, because we’ve never shared anyone before.
“Watching isn’t the same, brother.” It’s not meant to be a jab, but he takes it like one. His gaze darkens.
Kane’s trauma is complex. While he repelled any form of physical touch for decades, I craved it. Starved of those types of touches, of affection and pleasure, of anything that soothed instead of hurt—I wanted to drown in it.
Fighting. Food. Rest. Sex. Those were the only things that ever silenced my darkness.
Kane denied himself all of it. I overindulged.
He’d seen me with women many times. It was never embarrassing, not for me. I trusted Kane with everything.
Usually, he left. Once, he stayed. That night, we both realised we enjoyed being watched.
We never talked about it. Never picked at the why. But I think, deep down… I only ever slept with people when I knew Kane was nearby, because he made me feel safe.
And I don’t think Kane liked the thought of being alone either. Not in that vulnerable state, not when he couldn’t control the outcome.
He liked me there, liked that he could watch and dictate. I liked it too.
When he wanted more, we’d switch roles. But he never let anyone touch him. Ever.
I’m desperate to know if Jasmine changed that. So desperate to know how he was with her.
I never thought their night would end in sex, never believed he was capable without me there. But I’d underestimated my brother.
Yet, when the time came to share, I needed to know he could handle it.
“Don’t go anywhere today where I can’t reach you.” At my soft order, his eyes narrow. “When the time’s right, I’ll need you.”
He doesn’t agree, but he doesn’t refuse, which is a step forwards.
Once I’ve showered and changed into a suit, Kane leaves to speak with the Lead Commanders. He lets us all hear his briefing to them—cooldown protocols, scheduled leave, the barrier’s removal, and everything that comes after—all delivered in the sharp, blunt manner that makes him perfect for the role. I let his voice trail out as I flit to my office.
With the lockdown barrier in place, and no influx of new beings, crime in the district has plummeted.
Enforcers handle most day-to-day problems. If it escalates, it goes to the Leads. If it really escalates, it comes to us. Knowing Enforcer Kane Nimur could be arriving at your crime scene was enough to deter most beings altogether.
But lately, even that has quietened.
The Cloaks that we know of are gone, and for the first time that I can remember, the district is still. Still enough to think.
And I realise… I just don’t care about this anymore. This role. This title. Lord. Council Member.
I’ve always been good at it because command comes easily to me. Too easily, sometimes.
Being a leader gave me focus and routine, so when Delphine suggested I apply, it felt like an honour I’d earned.
And my unit is exceptional.
They’re strong, respected, feared.
Each of them a force, commanding awe and discipline in every recruit who had the honour of being trained by them.
But now… it all feels so far beneath what matters. Pointless.
I can reduce our priorities to three things.
Jasmine.
