‘I trusted her to help me because I didn’t care if it backfired.Both of them were using me right from the start.If Blaire and Jolene are really sisters, and you’ve known Jolene—’
‘Lee.’
‘—for a while like you said, then Blaire must have known you were alive this whole time.She gave me the book when I asked for help.She gave me the photograph back.Not once did she tell me you were alive.’
‘So… what?You think she wanted me dead?’
‘The Blaire I knew would have died to keep you and Mimi safe, but I don’t know if I ever knew her, not really.I don’t want her near you.She can meet with Harker, that’s fine.I don’t care about him, but I don’t want her near you.’
‘Better guard my body then, huh?’Kade sighs, meant to break the tension but all it does is remind him of how it felt to kiss Lachlan in that alley.That was his first kiss, although it didn’tfeellike his first when his body took over and knew exactly what to do, how to make it good, settling into the euphoric rush like something vast and tidal finally coming home to him.He clears his throat.‘How did you contact her?’
‘She gave me a number.’
‘Is she coming tonight?’
‘I don’t know.I don’t have a phone.Your techs sent it asking her to come.’
‘So what happened last night?I remember the… the stuff in the alley, but after that there’s nothing.’
‘I think you had a seizure of some kind.Your body went rigid.You passed out.I carried you to the van, drove you back here.Your friend Luca let me in.’
Kade falls into step with him, walking deeper into the trees.There’s noHush Linenow.No PTTCD.He could leave.Go anywhere.
It still hurts that Riley did that.
Trapped him here.
Lied by omission.
‘You know my life was completely normal before you showed up, right?’
Lachlan snorts.‘Oh really?’
‘All right, fine.’Kade scowls.‘Not normal, but notthis.Did I lose time before?When I was…’ He can’t say it.‘Y’know.Him.’
‘As far as I know, you never lost time before.’
‘Great.’He seethes for a few seconds, seeking ways to blame Lachlan for the bad feelings inside.‘Do you know about Lee?What she runs, who she is?’
‘I think,’ Lachlan says, conversational and calm, ‘I could know them both in a dozen lifetimes and never know who they really are, either of them.’He looks over at Kade.‘But tell me anyway.’
‘Lee is the boss ofLast Light,and you don’t fuck with them or Lee.That book Blaire gave you was Lee’s, so now it’s Riley’s responsibility to get it back, not to mention she was very clear about no one interfering with her sister.’
‘So then why’d your boss order you to—?’
‘Because he’s doing his best to clean upyourfucking mess!To keep us all safe!To… to do the best he can and work with what he’s given.’
‘Kade.’
‘He’s trying his best!He’s doing everything he can to—’
‘It’s all right.You’re OK.’Lachlan’s rough, warm hand cups his cheek when tears make it wet and Kade wants to die rather than cry in front of this prick, but he can’t stop it.It’s so much, it’stoomuch.‘You’re fine, I promise.’
‘You don’t know that.’
‘I know you.’
‘You know nothing about me.You knewhim!’
