On the screen, I see Kane stiffen.
"I need to know you’re with me," Ivy whispers. "I need to know I can trust you."
She slides her hands up his chest to his neck.
"What do you want, Ivy?" Kane asks, his voice hoarse.
"I want to feel safe," she says. "I want to feel... like I’m not his anymore."
She leans in. She brushes her lips against his jaw.
"Help me forget him."
Kane freezes. He looks down at her. He is fighting a war inside himself. The white knight versus the man.
"Ivy, we can't... this isn't appropriate."
"Please," she begs. "Just hold me. Just touch me."
She takes his hand. She guides it to her waist, under the hoodie.
"You want to save me, don't you?"
"Yes," Kane breathes.
"Then save all of me."
She kisses him.
It’s a soft, desperate kiss.
Kane hesitates for one second. Then, he breaks.
He wraps his arms around her. He pulls her close. He kisses her back.
I watch on the screen, my vision tunneling.
He’s kissing my wife.
I know it’s the plan. I know she is baiting him. But seeing another man’s mouth on hers, seeing his hands on her body... it tears something loose inside me.
The beast is clawing at the bars.
Wait,I tell myself.Wait for the incriminating moment.
Kane’s hands move down to her hips. He pushes her back toward the bed.
"I won't let him hurt you," Kane murmurs against her mouth. "You’re mine to protect now."
He pushes her onto the mattress. He climbs over her.
That’s it.
Soliciting a victim. Compromised integrity. Sexual conduct during an investigation.
We have him.
"Ivy," I say into the microphone that feeds into her tiny earpiece. "Enough. Pull the plug."
