‘Which part?’
Lying,he wants to say but won’t.‘Asking people to accept that he’s gonna be walking around the Tower.What the boss said to Seth—’
‘We know the risks and so does Seth.And anyway, he’s just using this whole thing to justify his fucking metaphobia,’ Luca points out darkly.‘Boss was right to shut it down hard.’
‘Yeah, I guess.’
‘You brought everyone around.You’re the good cop,’ Luca says with a smile, dark mood vanished.He nudges Kade.‘We couldn’t do this without you.’
‘It doesn’t feel that way.’
‘How does it feel?’
‘I don’t know what’s wrong with me.I’ve never felt like this.’
‘No, it’s a lot,’ Luca agrees.‘I’m still stuck on theeyeball feelers,to be honest.’
Kade laughs weakly and Luca pulls him into a hug.
‘It’s gonna be OK,’ he whispers.
Kade tries to trust it.‘Yeah.’
They run a few more sweeps together, making sure the Tower is locked down properly.Once that’s done, Luca heads off to grab some sleep before his night shift.Kade steps out into the grounds.
The sun will set soon.
He slept through morning.
Outside, he can breathe easier.
‘You might as well come out,’ he says.‘I know you’re there.’
Lachlan comes to join him from whatever puddle of shadows he was lurking in.‘Meeting with Blaire is a mistake,’ he says right off the bat.
‘It’s what Riley wants.’
‘What doyouwant?’
‘To be a good second.’
‘You’re second to no one,’ Lachlan informs him with all the tone of one discussing weather.‘I heard your speech.’
Kade rolls his eyes.‘Oh yeah?’
‘How much of it did you believe?’
‘All of it.’
‘I can tell when you’re lying.’
‘Go fuck yourself.’
They move closer to the trees.
‘I don’t want you seeing her.I’d rather keep you out of it.’
‘But she helped you.She gave you the book.You trusted her.’
