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I force myself to open my mouth and speak this time. “Yeah. Someone’s been sending me emails for a couple of weeks, and now they’ve left a noteinsidemy house.” I let that last part sink in, watching his face for any reaction. “They think we’ll end up together which is fucking laughable,” I add, lacing the words with as much disgust as I can manage.

Kyle’s jaw ticks slightly—and I know I’ve hit a nerve.

Good.

I lean in a little, just enough to twist the knife. “They think they know me. Think I’d want someone who hides behind anonymous messages, breaks into my home, plays these mind games instead of acting like a decent human being.” My gaze stays locked on his. “They don’t get it. I’d never wantsomeone like that. Not in this lifetime. Not in any lifetime. That’s a small, pathetic man I’d never respect—let alone desire.”

Logan picks up on my cue, his tone sharp and cold. “It’s sad, really. Thinking that if they invade someone’s life enough, or scare and isolate them, they’ll get what they want. Like that’s love.” He lets out a humorless laugh. “It’s not. It’s pathetic.”

The smirk on Kyle’s face slips for a second before he pastes it back on. That small crack is all I need to know we’re getting to him.

The officer who introduced us to Kyle clears his throat. “We’re going to keep looking into it,” he says, clearly trying to redirect before things explode. “Kyle’s been working hard online for you both, but if there’s anything relevant?—”

Logan cuts him off. “And why exactly did you hire him?”

The officer looks at Logan for a moment before answering. “Kyle’s consulted for us before. He came with a strong recommendation. Does good work.”

Kyle turns that punchable smirk toward us, and I want to knock it off his face. “I’d be happy to work more closely with you, Ryder,” he says smoothly. “Tech is my specialty, but maybe I can come see your place, check if there’s anything else you might have missed.”

A chill runs down my spine. He’s toying with us.

Logan stands suddenly, and he leans over the table, a dangerous smirk of his own spreading across his face. “That won’t be necessary,” he says. “We’ve got it covered.”

Kyle glowers at Logan, and I can’t tell what he dislikes more, him or his answer. He wants control—to know every move we make, and he knows we’re refusing to give that to him.

The other officer breaks the tension. “We’ll take that note you found so we can make copies of it, and we’ll keep the original in your file.”

Logan pulls it from his pocket and hands it over. “It was tucked under his keyboard,” he says, glaring at Kyle the entire time. “We’re positive it wasn’t there before the stalking started.”

The officer reads it, his mouth tightening into a thin line. “Alright. We’ll send it to forensics to analyze the handwriting, but I’ll be honest—these cases are tough. Without a clear suspect, there’s not much to go on.”

I almost laugh at the irony of this situation.

“Actually,” the officer continues, turning to me, “I’m sure you’ve been asked before, but is there anyone you think who might’ve left this?”

Sure, officer. He’s sitting right next to you—your trusted consultant. I want to say it so badly, but I can’t. Not yet. Not without proof.

“No,” I lie, my voice even. “No one comes to mind.”

Logan shifts beside me, and I know he wants to speak up badly, but we’re not stupid. We have to play this right. If Kyle is working with the people who are helping us and they view him as a co-worker, are any of them really on our side? Or would they dismiss us and take his side? Saying it too soon could ruin our chances of turning Kyle in with proof.

Kyle, on the other hand, is the picture of ease. Smiling away over the fact that we didn’t say his name.

The officer closes the file and stands. “Alright. We’ll get moving with this new evidence. If anything else happens, call us immediately. In the meantime, I recommend setting up some security cameras in and around your house, Ryder.”

I nod, my stomach sinking because, of course, that’s theirsolution—more waiting. More hoping whoever this is—Kyle, probably—slips up and hands them the perfect evidence so they can close the case without actually doing anything.

We stand, and Logan nudges me toward the door with a steady hand at my lower back. Every instinct in my body screams to get the hell out of here fast, but Kyle must see it as his last chance to rattle me.

As we’re about to step out of the room, he leans in, voice low and sharp as a blade. “Don’t worry, Ryder. I’ll keep an eye on you—closer than ever.”

Those few words hit like a shock to the system—everything in me goes still, and my lungs forget how to work. The edges of my vision blur, and my brain’s screaming at me to move, but, once again, my feet won’t budge.

Logan catches it immediately and lunges between Kyle and me, shielding me like a wall.

“Leave us the fuck alone,” Logan growls, his voice lethal. “There’s no world—none—where he’d ever fucking choose you. Take the fucking hint. He doesn’t want you!”

Kyle’s smirk only deepens, like he thinks Logan’s bluffing. Then, with a voice that makes panic claw up my throat, he mutters, “We’ll see,” before shoving past us and leaving the room.