Page 96

“Yeah, just don’t go getting shot again. Okay?”

He smiles but it doesn’t reach his eyes. “No promises. I’d do this again if I had to. For you.”

The fierce loyalty in his voice hits me hard. We’re all we’ve had since our parents died, and despite everything—the crimes, the violence, the constant danger—he’s never wavered. Never questioned. Just followed me into whatever fire I walked into.

I reach over and squeeze his good shoulder gently. This is my baby brother. The kid I taught to ride a bike, to throw a punch, to survive in a world that seemed determined to break us.

Looking at him now, I make a silent vow. No more reckless moves. No more unnecessary risks. Everything I do from now on needs to be calculated, precise. I have too much to lose—Seb, Eve, Leo. They deserve better than living in constant fear of what might happen next.

Seb’slaughter fills the room as the conversation shifts and he teases me about Eve. It feels good to see him acting more like himself, even if he’s still confined to bed rest.

“You’ve got it bad, brother.” He grins. “Never thought I’d see the day.”

“Never thought you’d seewhatday?” I growl, but there’s no real heat behind it.

“The day the mighty Ezekiel King falls in love.” Seb winces as he adjusts himself against the pillows. “And with a cop, no less.”

“I’m not in love.” The words taste like ash in my mouth.

“Sure you’re not.” He smirks, then grimaces, pressing a hand to his bandaged shoulder. “That’s why you’ve been moping around like someone kicked your puppy ever since she stormed out yesterday.”

I grab the glass of water from his nightstand and hand it to him. “She’s struggling with what happened. With all of this.”

“And you’re not helping by closing yourself off.” He takes a long drink. “You think I don’t notice how you avoid talking about your feelings? How you shut down every time she tries to get close?”

“It’s complicated.”

“Only because you make it complicated.” Seb hands the glass back to me. “You’re so afraid of losing her that you’re going to drive her away.”

I set the glass down harder than necessary. “You don’t understand.”

“I understand perfectly. You’re terrified because for the first time in your life, someone matters more than the job. More than the mission.”

“Zeke!” Eve’s panicked voice cuts through our conversation like a knife. My body tenses instantly, every protective instinct firing at once. The raw fear in her tone has me on my feet before I can even process the movement.

I burst into the hallway, my heart hammering against my ribs. Eve stands there, her face ghost-white, phone clutched in her hand. Her green eyes are wide with terror, and my stomach drops.

“What’s wrong?” I ask, closing the distance between us in three long strides. My hands find her shoulders, steadying her swaying form.

“Where’s Leo?” The words tumble from her lips, high-pitched and frantic. “He’s not—I can’t—”

Confusion jolts through me like an electric current. “He’s at school…” I process what she’s asking. A cold dread seeps into my bones as I add, “Or should be on his way home with you?”

Her breath hitches, tears welling in her eyes. The phone in her hand shakes harder, and I catch a glimpse of the screen—a message from an unknown number. The sight of it makes my blood run cold.

“Eve,” I say, my voice dropping low and urgent. “What’s happening? Talk to me.”

Eve’s knees buckle, and I catch her before she collapses. She clutches my shirt, her fingers digging into the fabric as she struggles to speak through ragged breaths.

“The school—” Her voice breaks. “I went to pick him up, but Ms. Thompson said someone already got him. Said they were me. She said she saw me.” The words tumble out faster and faster, panic rising with each syllable. “But I didn’t, Zeke. I didn’t pick him up.”

My jaw clenches as rage and fear war inside me. “When?”

“Twenty minutes ago.” She shoves away from me suddenly, her eyes wild. “Where were your men? You promised me you had people watching him. You promised me he’d be safe!”

I grab my phone, already dialing Micah’s number. “They should have been—”

“Should have been?” Eve’s voice rises to a near-shriek. “Should have been isn’t good enough! This is Leo we’re talking about. My nephew. My responsibility. You swore to me—” A sob tears through her. “You swore he’d be protected.”