a Monr

nside my head. Pushing open the door, I was greeted by the familiar scent of roast

on anything but the conversation replaying in my mind. Jasper's words echoed l

ticulous, controlled. If he had something to hide, he wouldn't be

t of me, her smile soft. "On the h

g, letting the heat seep into my skin. If I was going to figure

for the one Calloway had sent earlier that day. His office hours were li

talk myself out of it. If there was

r Kan

me, a steady growl against the quiet night. Valeria Monroe wasn't my problem, but something about the

I killed the engine and leaned against the seat

ugh the quiet. "Didn't th

inated by the neon bar sign. He was one of the few people I trusted

idn't think I

eyebrow. "But som

ng slowly before answering. "Ever heard a

h Elliot's teeth. "That's no

my eyes. "T

thing concrete, but rumors? Yeah. Whispers about money go

embers crackling in the silence. "And y

't think you cared ab

ut Valeria

boot, I pushed off the bike. "Fi

And what do you g

ith uncertainty yet stubbornly dete

ll it cu

ria'

, the silence pressing against my ears. A single strip of ligh

crossing a line I couldn't erase. But

ainst the cool wall and listened. Muffled voices. Cal

ess someone starts

sharper, responded. "The

awled down

ear in his tone. "I can only co

voice left no room for argume

st the wooden floor. Pa

as the door swung open. Holdin

and imposing. Calloway followed a second later, tensio

ering against my ribs. If there was something to find, it had to be now. The han

n its perfect place. But order was a facade. S

acked neatly. A locked drawer beneath. A lapt

ey. The screen flickered to l

od out, marked

Containme

situation is under control, but precautions must be taken.

stud

ing, I reached for my phone. The moment I snapped a picture of the screen, the office light flickere

er's

Calloway's office wasn't something I expec

s held the sharp glint of panic. I stepped into h

h hitched

ell me what

htening around her phone. "

hen why do you look lik

wasn't used to this-secrets, danger. I took a step closer, lowering m

d, indecision war

through the hallwa

low

rest supply closet, shutting the door just before Calloway rounded the corner. The space was tight, da

rely a whisper. "Still thi