ood polish and something sharper-the stale scent of anger that lingered after Levi

id, his voice low and flat.

elentless accusations. "If I had answers, don't you think I'

matter. What matters is what you know. And you kn

peration over people's heads until they do whatever she wants. But what you're talking about?

n't use my last name like it's ar

g his tone. "Let's not forget that

ing half the pieces. The air between us felt charged, thick with unspoken

r of finality. "Fine. We'll play it your way for now. The

e word fell out of me b

"If you're telling the truth and that's a big if then you're a liability. Livi

f I sa

rless. "You've never had a

how small, like a bird in a cage with no way out. But I coul

itted teeth. "But don't e

ude," he said, already tu

•

fter that the at

with me, reluctant to leave me at his house, for fear of

plosion hit. The blast rocked the floor beneath us, sending a shockwave through the room. I stu

I shouted, my voice barely

expression grim. "Stay here,"

e the gnawing fear in my chest. Even in mom

on the battlefield. I stuck close to him, not because I trusted him, but because it felt safer than being alone in the chaos.

und it-the

hat should have been a secure office. Levi picked it up, his jaw

stays buried. N

m, the unspoken question. I swallowed hard, refusi

t you might have," he said, his voice a dangerous whisp

nd. Levi frowned at it, his frustration palpable. "Damn it," he mutte

d before I could th

handed it over, wat

felt familiar like a melody I couldn't quite place. I focused,

Look-this number corresponds to a calendar

htly, before narrowing agai

I snapped, the tension of th

e respect in his gaze. "Impressive," he said g

derbilt." I said, handing the paper back

ne, barking orders at someone on the other end. I watched

•

estate, Levi foun

of water and trying to make sense of everything that ha

?" I asked,

ed at the screen of his laptop with

voice more forcef

it-a grainy video feed, the audio cracklin

e an accident," o

the g

make sure it leads bac

gnized the voice-calm, calc

vi