Why did they mention me seeing him again if it’s only for tonight?
Levi and Koen exchange a glance, and I can almost see the unspoken conversation between them. Koen’s expression softens the slightest bit, but there’s still tension in his jaw. “We need him to trust you.”
“And he won’t trust me in one night,” I point out, my eyes searching his. “No matter how I play it.”
Levi sighs, rubbing a hand over his mouth. “Probably not.”
Anger turns to a heavy weight in my chest. “This won’t be over after tonight, will it?”
They’ve been stringing me along, and I fucking knew it.
Koen exhales, his gaze dropping for a second before meeting mine. “It won’t.”
“Who’s the liar here, then?” I ask, giving him a hard look, even as my heart pangs.
Part of me wants to walk away, to leave them to deal with their mess. They lied, and I hate that I let myself trust them even a little. Levi lifts a shoulder nervously, catching my attention, and it reminds me of his earlier fear.
That was real.Thatwasn’t a lie.
I can’t be the reason why any of them—Levi, Koen, Sylus, or even Captain Bossy—wind up in real trouble. Maybe it’s stupid, maybe I’m already a little attached, but I can’t let this fail.
Koen steps closer, looking almost apologetic but not quite managing it. “Listen?—”
“No.” The word cracks as I cut him off, emotion tightening my throat. “You all are fucking liars. And you know what? I don’t care. I committed to this, and when tonight is over, I’m giving you hell. For now, I’m doing what you brought me here to do.”
The words burn as they leave my mouth, but I refuse to let them see how much I’m affected by the deceit. I turn to Sylus, setting my expression as close to blank as I can, trying to mask the rawness. “I know I said you can’t hang around me tonight, but I’ll need your help for the next part.”
A grin spreads slowly across his lips. “Anything you need, baby.”
TWENTY-THREE
“You know…” Sylus leans in, his voice a low whisper meant for me, “… I always thought I’d make a good magician too.”
Sylus and I stand slightly apart from the main crowd at the exhibit about illusions. You can still hear the music and the crowd’s chatter, but it’s quieter here.
“You?” I huff out a quiet laugh, glancing at him skeptically. “Somehow, I can’t picture you on stage doing card tricks.”
“Oh, I could show you some tricks later.Real magic.” He nudges me with his shoulder, raising an eyebrow suggestively, the corner of his mouth quirking as he theatrically announces, “And for my next trick… watch me hide the sausage.”
“Behave,” I warn, though I can’t stop the smile from breaking through.
“Sure, sure. I’ll be good.” He lifts his hands as if in surrender, and he slightly straightens. “Heads up,” he intones with a lift of his chin. “Harrington is walking over here. Alone.”
“Is he in hearing range?” I murmur, my gaze fixed ahead.
“Not yet.”
“Remember to call me in ten minutes.”
“Yes, ma’am.” Sylus grins, his eyes flicking back to Nicholas before meeting mine again. He counts down just loud enough for me to hear. “Three… two… one.”
Showtime.
In a louder voice, Sylus asks, “So, you back at Fitness First on Monday?”
“Probably.” I shrug, making no move to acknowledge Nicholas’s arrival.
“I could come along…” Sylus leans closer with exaggerated charm, “… show you the ropes.”
