It felt like it — every time those deep emerald eyes landed on me, they threatened to steal the very breath from my lungs. But the curiosity sparkling behind them was too gentle — not the calculated prodding of a reporter. More passive, distracted — like she was trying to remember a song she used to know.
A gentle knock at the door broke my attention. I whipped around, gripping the edge of the small vanity to steady myself, smearing fingerprints across the fine dust.
“All good in here?”
I scowled, trying to separate Leo’s broad form from memories of the doorway she leaned against. “What do you want?”
“That’s not an answer to my question, is it?” As she spoke, Leo pushed off the doorframe and crossed over to the tarped armchair by the bookshelf. My shoulders tightened as she plopped down onto it, kicking up a fine layer of dust.
If the tension travelled to my face, Leo didn’t notice.
We lingered in the stalemate for a long, quiet moment before she finally adjusted in her seat, her scoff underlined by the soft crinkle of plastic. “Alright. Who is she?”
I dropped my grip on the dresser, resuming my pacing. “How the fuck would I know? You’re the one who brought her here.”
“And you’re the one who’s taking that as a personal offense.”
“You know I don’t like guests.”
“I’ve never seen you get your panties into such a twist over a girl.”
“That’s not what this is.” I whipped on my heel, glaring daggers into her.
I could practically hear them clatter to the floor, useless against Leo’s persistent, cool demeanor. “What is it then?”
I grumbled, turning my gaze back to the worn boards beneath my feet, lighter in the spots I paced most. I wanted to tell her exactly what she’d done — to rip her and Spencer a new asshole for the hellfire they’d brought to our door.
But I couldn’t go there. It was better — safer — for everyone if this secret remained mine. I squared my shoulders, lifting my chin as I glared down the bridge of my nose at Leo.
“I have too much going on right now to concern myself with your little pet. You want to keep her? You want to pull rank with your mark? Fine. But while you’re busy cosplaying The Oracle’s mission, I’ll be busy actually carrying it out. And I swear to god, if she gets in the way?—”
“We’ll keep it clean. Separate.” Leo nodded, recognition lighting behind her eyes. She’d seen just how exacting The Oracle could be, and she was buying the excuse. “Kiera won’t be a problem.”
I had to bite back the bark of laughter burning at my chest.You have no idea who you’re dealing with.
Kiera couldn’t be controlled — any attempt to do so ended in disaster for her and everyone around her. I’d already learned that the hard way.
But there was no explaining that to Leo. “She’d better not. Orwe’regoing to have a problem. You hear me, Major?”
“Loud and clear.” Leo nodded, standing from the arm chair and heading for the door. She stopped just short of the hallway, turning like she wanted to say more, but I kept my eyes down, refusing to meet her gaze as I paced over to the window.
A second of weighty silence.
Then footsteps retreating down the hall. A plastic tarp crinkling at the final doorway. She was gone.
And I was alone, as always. Cleaning up Kiera’s mess, as always.
15
KIERA
The living roomwas cold after Dom left, Leo following shortly after her. She’d given my arm a reassuring squeeze before she chased after our brooding host.
The fireplace fought back the fall chill well enough, but it was no match for the frost the ice queen left in her wake. I curled in on myself, hugging my knees against my chest to protect from frostbite.
Spencer leaned over and whispered in my ear, “Don’t worry, Bunny. She’ll get over it. She just hates change.”
“Right.” I nodded.
