Silence falls. I wait a minute, walk to the study and knock softly.
“Come in.”
He's standing at the window, weight on his good leg, shoulders tight. Laptop closed on the desk.
“Everything okay?”
“Legal complications. Nothing new.”
“Anything I can help with?”
He turns. The tension in his face softens when he sees me. “Not unless you have a law degree I don't know about.”
“Sadly, no.” I study him. The rigid set of his jaw. The way he's gripping the window frame like he wants to crack it. “But I know what you need.”
“What?”
“To leave this apartment. You've been cooped up for days. Let's go.”
He blinks. “Emma, I can't walk far. In case you forgot.” He gestures at the boot.
“I'll drive. Get your jacket.”
“Where are we going?”
“Out. Fresh air. A change of scenery.” I hold his gaze. “Trust me.”
The resistance drains out of him.
“Okay,” he says. “Let's go.”
I grab my coat, shoot a quick text to Tank. Just in case.
The elevator takes us down to the parking garage. When the doors open, I stop.
Cars. A lot of cars. Sleek, gleaming, lined up like they're posing for a magazine cover. I count at least seven before I stop counting.
“Kai.”
“What?”
“How many cars do you own?”
He looks at them like he's never really thought about it. “These are just the ones I keep here.”
“Just the ones you—“ I shake my head. “Never mind. Can I pick any of them?”
He considers the lineup, points to a matte black Range Rover .
“Let's go with this one today. Higher seats, easier on my leg.” He moves to the wall where a row of key hooks hangs, each labeled. So many keys. He plucks one off, hands it to me.
I stare at the fob in my palm. “You're sure?”
“It's just a car, Emma.”
Just a car.Right.
I click the unlock button. The Range Rover chirps in response.
