“I'm functional.” His hand stayed on my shoulder, grip firm. “Thank you. For the warning. For moving when you did. That was stupid and necessary.”
“We're partners. That's what partners do.” The word felt strange in my mouth. Foreign. I'd spent three years working alone, trusting no one, operating under the assumption that allies were liabilities.
But Dom felt different. Felt like someone who'd watch my back because we shared stakes instead of just using me as resource. Felt like someone I could trust not to sell me out when pressure got high.
Felt dangerous in entirely new ways.
“What are you going to do with it?” Dom asked suddenly. “The photographs. My sister's file. The evidence we found.”
“Keep it. Back it up properly. Build the case methodically.”
His jaw tightened. “For how long?”
“As long as it takes to make it airtight.” I met his gaze. “I know you want justice now. Want to march into Harrow's office and demand answers. But that's not how this works. We need more than deleted footage and altered reports. We need to catch him actively corrupting something. Need him to make a mistake we can document.”
“He's made mistakes. He deleted evidence. Altered my sister's autopsy.”
“That was a long time ago. With no witnesses willing to testify. Dr. Quinn won't go on record—she already told us that. The log entry proves tampering but not motive. Not who Harrow was protecting.” I pulled my hand through my hair, frustration bleeding through despite attempts at control. “We need patience, Dom. Need to let Harrow think he's still ahead of us while we build the case properly.”
“How much patience?”
“However much it takes to make sure he actually pays for what he's done.” My voice hardened. “And not just for your sister. For my partner. For every witness he's silenced and every case he's corrupted. I've waited three years. I can wait longer if it means getting this right.”
“Your partner.” Dom's expression shifted. “That's what this is really about for you. Not justice. Revenge.”
“Call it whatever you want. The outcome's the same.” I stepped back, creating distance his hand tried to follow. “Harrow destroyed my career. So yes. I want him to pay. Want it badly enough that I'm willing to do this properly instead of rushing in and blowing it because patience is too hard.”
Dom was quiet for a long moment. “You're right. I hate that you're right, but you are.”
“I usually am.” I glanced around, checking for additional surveillance. “Your place or mine?”
“Mine. Ravenswood has better security than your flat.”
He was right. But going to Ravenswood meant entering Adrian's territory, meant explanations I wasn't ready to give about what we'd found and what it meant. Meant exposing myself to scrutiny from people who'd spent years learning to read lies.
But I went with him anyways.
