Nobody argues with that. Not out loud.
The garage settles into a heavy quiet. Bishop resumes pacing—shorter strides, less control. Cruz picks at the label on his bottle. Rafe goes still, watching.
I look around the room one last time. At my brothers. At the line I’m already crossing. “It’s worth the risk.”
Because I’ve seen her hit first.
Because I’ve watched her stake out Highlight like she already owned it.
Because Bellamy Hale is the variable Bishop can’t control.
And I can’t stop thinking about her.
The house is tooquiet when I get home.
I drop my keys on the counter, kick my shoes off by the door, and grab a beer from the fridge without really tasting the decision. The couch takes my weight like it’s been waiting for it, cushions sighing as I sink back and stare at the ceiling.
I tell myself I’m done for the night. Then I pull out my phone.
The tracker app opens faster than it should. Muscle memory. Habit. Curiosity dressed up as something else.
Her dot is there immediately. Same address as last night. Same one that was there when I woke up this morning.
I stare at it longer than I should.
Either it’s where she lives—or it’s where someone else does. Someone whose bed she slept in. Someone who gets to see her without wondering if she’s a liability, or a risk, or the variable that could blow everything apart.
My jaw tightens.
I tip the bottle back and take a long pull, swallowing against the sour edge crawling up my throat. Jealousy doesn’t flare hot;it settles dense and heavy. Like a stone I don’t remember picking up but can’t put down now.
I lock my phone, then unlock it again just as quickly.
“Fuck it,” I mutter.
I open my messages and start typing before I can talk myself out of it.
You always stay up this late?
Three dots appear almost instantly. Disappear, then reappear.
Who is this?
A corner of my mouth tugs up despite myself.
C’mon, Bell. Don’t insult us both.
A pause, long enough to feel intentional.
Cruz?
My smile slips a fraction, and I shrug it off like it doesn’t matter.
Rafe?
Try again.
Another beat.
