The change is stark, like a candle snuffed. Vane recoils. “You disappoint me, Desiree.”
I blink. “Excuse me?”
Still sporting a scowl, Vane stands. The intimate moment shatters like glass. “Vyvyan will want a full play-by-play after your time with Jaxson.”
The room spins. I am such an idiot. Was that seduction a tactic? To unbalance me before I go see Jax? To control me? Or is he trying to stop me from finding Vyvyan’s killer?
The door opens and then slams shut just as suddenly.
“I forgot my gloves; one second,” calls a familiar voice. Misty appears and then halts when she sees Vane and me. I’m still seated with my thighs parted, Vane lording over me. It is and isn’t what it looks like.
For fuck’s sake. She always has the worst timing.
I stand, fearing what she’s about to assume. Vane crosses his arms with a lethal, breathtaking grace. I slide around him, rush to my jewelry box, and clutch my grandmother’s pearl studs. Their gritty texture is a balm in my shaking hand.
I slip the earrings into place. “You can tell Vyvyan I’ll be back before sunrise. Have someone meet me at the entrance,” I tell him, loud enough for Misty to hear.
Vane’s frown deepens, but he nods sharply. “Okay.” His tone is clipped and businesslike once more. “She will be pleased to know you are following orders. And I will meet you afterward.”
He’s going topick me upfrom my date? “Absolutely not,” I say, but Vane has already turned his back on me. The muscles of his shoulders flex beneath the expensive dress shirt. He gives Misty a curt nod, strides past her, and leaves the dormitory.
Misty places a hand on her sequined hip. “Lover’s quarrel?”
I grab my purse. “Have a good shift,” I toss over my shoulder as I brush past her.
I told Misty there was nothing between us, yet here I am, caught with Vane. I refuse to turn and see her hatred. Vyvyan’s attacker holds the key to the Nest’s safety, which eclipses everything else tonight—even the tangled mess of Vane and Jaxson. Even my messed up relationship with Misty. Whatever the cost, I will see this case through. Everything else can wait.
The residual warmthfrom the setting sun clings to my skin as I navigate Tyche Street to Furies.
“Slow the fuck down, will you?” Gianna gripes, almost tripping in her heels.
“I told you to wear sensible shoes,” I reply, rounding another corner. The scent of spices and simmering street food wafts through the air, tempting my growling stomach. It’s been months since I’ve had my favorite layered rice dish, a regional specialty which can only be found in this part of Corona. But we are already late, and we’ll have to eat when we get there.
The extra time I spent at the Bersa Power Station documenting the damage for Leigh and the Council put us behind schedule to meet Brigid, Ry, and the sisters. The first round of images I sent through text were blurry, so I spent extra time documenting the scene again as if it were a magazine shoot. When Janus called to press me for more updates on the power restoration, I gave a vague answer, promising more concrete information once the engineers and Michael finished their assessments. But the truth is, I need to find Stellan Navis first. If anyone can talk some sense into Dimitri and his former crew, it’s him. I need to convince him that the Nebula can still fight for equal rights without resorting to sabotage and keeping the city in the dark.
I need Brigid’s help to get to Stellan tonight, so I’ll be extra agreeable and hope she introduces me. I’m not sure why she waited so long to mention she knew him, but I had a feeling. Brigid specifically told me not to bring Gianna. But if I really want to end the conflict between Epsilon and Nebula, I have to start with my own friends—even if it means dealing with Brigid and Gianna’s mutual hatred.
“These are sensible shoes,” Gianna insists defiantly. “But they are designer.”
I roll my eyes. “What, do you want me to carry you?”
Gianna stops dead in her tracks and lifts her arms. “If you insist.”
I shoot her a look that says,“Fuck, no.”
“Are there no cars in this city?” she huffs.
“Considering you cussed out our last taxi driver, I am not taking my chances.”
Gianna’s scowl deepens. “Do you need to eat or something? Or are you upset about how things went down at the plant? You never told me what happened. Did you manage to get them to?—”
I spin around to face her, my patience a thinning rope. “Look, things went a little sideways, but everything will be sunshine and rainbows once Brigid introduces me to Stellan. We just need to ensure tonight goes smoothly.”
Gianna inhales sharply. “Stellan andBrigidare connected? On second thought, maybe Idon’twant to meet this Stellan guy after all. I’ll learn about my father another way.”
I can’t help but laugh. “Come on, be nice. Brigid is trying to help.”
“Help?” Gianna scoffs. “Yeah, help herself back into your pants.”
