The silence that follows feels heavy, but Koen breaks it with a low chuckle. “What just happened?”
“I have no idea.” I shake my head, still reeling. “It’s not like I know what she’s even doing, only that she’s not fucking playing around.” I unbutton my shirt and carefully detach the wire from the underside of my collar. Koen lets out a low whistle, crossing his arms as he leans against the counter.
“Someone’s taking this seriously.”
“What are you even doing here?” I glance at him sharply. “And why the hell didn’t you tell me about it?”
Koen smirks, holding his hands up in mock surrender. “You know about it now, don’t you?” He chuckles at my glare and continues, “It was a spur-of-the-moment thing. I need her to think I’m buying into this wholefamilybullshit. I want her totrust us, make her believe we’re a couple of desperate kids who long so much for a family we’ll fall for her manipulations.”
I scoff, folding the wire neatly and stuffing it into my pocket. “Well, you’re on the right track. She already thinks you’re a stupid kid.”
Koen grins, unbothered. “Does she?”
“Yeah,” I say dryly. “And she’s not wrong, Copy.”
He huffs, rolling his eyes. “Come on, now I really do want that Chinese food. We can grab some for everyone. I’m sure Novalee and the guys will be home soon, and we can debrief together.” He looks around the penthouse, his gaze lingering on the corners as if looking for cameras.
But there are none. At least of that, I’m sure.
“Want to check out her stuff?” I nod toward the kitchen island, where Veronica’s laptop still sits, the screen dark but humming faintly.
“Do you know her password?”
I sigh. “Nope.”
“It would be a waste of time then. We’d need Sylus for that, and like I said, this wasn’t exactly planned.”
I let out a breath, frustrated but knowing he’s right. “Should’ve thought about that sooner.”
“We’ve got time.” Koen shrugs. “Honestly, now that you’re in this with us, I’m not worried. We’ll get what we need.” But then he hesitates, his expression softening before he speaks again. “I need to apologize again. For everything. For letting you down.”
The words are a sucker punch, but I don’t flinch. Instead, I force a shrug. “It’s fine.”
“It’s not fine,” he presses. “I thought about it, and you’re right. I was an asshole. I should’ve?—”
“Should’ve what?” I interrupt, my gaze locking on the elevator doors ahead. “Should’ve talked to me? Should’ve been there? It’s been thirteen years, Koen. Don’t act like this is new.”
I feel his eyes on me, his silence heavy. A part of me wants him to fight back, to justify himself, but he doesn’t. Instead, he lets out a sigh, and for some reason, that makes it worse. My grip on the tension inside me falters.
He shakes his head. “You’re a pain in the ass, you know that?”
My lips twitch, and against my better judgment, I glance his way. “Let’s get some food, dickhead.”
“Deal,” he replies, grinning as he claps me on the shoulder. “I’m starving.”
We step into the elevator, the quiet hum of its descent filling the space between us. I keep my focus on the floor numbers ticking down, refusing to let my mind wander. But it does, anyway.
Because the truth is, I’m still hurt. It’s been over a decade of hurt. That doesn’t vanish overnight. The walls I built to keep him out aren’t going to crumble because he’s suddenly here, suddenly trying to patch things up.
Ifhe’s even doing that. How can I be sure he’s not using me the same way he intends to use Veronica?
Hell, he already did, sending Novalee after me.
But God help me, it’s like no time has passed when I’m with him. The jokes, the ribbing, the way he looks at me as though I’m the same kid he used to protect—it feels familiar. Too familiar.
Like I have my best friend back.
Even if I’m cautious.
