Perfect uniform.
Perfect posture.
Like none of this has touched him.
Like he’s still in control.
Our eyes meet.
And something in his expression shifts.
Not fear.
Not yet.
But something close.
Ace leans in slightly.
“Stay with me,” he murmurs.
“I am,” I reply.
And I mean it.
We take our seats.
Blaze sets up behind us, laptop already open. Trigger scans the room. Beast doesn’t move.
Everything feels tight.
Coiled.
Ready to snap.
“Case review for Tessa Bloom,”the judge calls.
My name echoes through the room.
Different this time.
Not heavy.
Not condemning.
Just… mine.
The prosecutor stands.
Nervous.
I can see it.
“Your Honor, new evidence has been submitted that calls into question the original findings—”
“Calls into question?” Ace mutters under his breath.
I almost smile.
