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“Oh, Alex,” she begins. “I gave you some time to finish your assignment and you’ve done nothing. I hate that it has to be this way.”

Everything feels like it’s upside down, the walls caving in and melting away at the same time.

“What’s going on?” I ask, turning to Kane. “What is she doing here?”

He doesn’t answer, only keeps his eyes trained on a spot near my shoulder.

“You know, when I assigned you to that Vasilyev case back then, I didn’t think you’d make it out,” Chief Anders continues, making me look at her again. “Honestly, I thought they wouldkill you when they found out who you were and then, at least, I’d have my arrest warrant. Instead, for some inexplicable reason, you came out unharmed and with enough evidence to get me an arrest and a promotion.”

Pieces click in place. Rachel Anders was the Senior Detective investigating The Snake when I went undercover, and Rowan’s arrest got her the Chief role.

“There are only three reasons why Rowan spared you,” she continues, her voice almost playful. “One, you were so good at your job you fooled him completely. Two, you’ve been working for The Snake all along. Or three…” Her smile sharpens. “He fell in love with you.”

A cold sweat breaks over my skin. My mouth dries as her words sink in. Sheknows.

“Which is it?” she presses, leaning slightly forward. “My money’s on number three.”

I don’t answer. I can’t.

She sighs and straightens. “Well, whatever it is, it doesn’t matter. I have bigger plans for you now. I want to see just how much the future Head of The Snake values a junior detective in the OCU. Do you think he’ll come running if I send him your picture? And if he does, will he give me what I want?”

I shake my head, words spilling out before I can stop them. “Rowan isn’t behind Haze. Even if he is, he isn’t going to risk The Snake for me. You’re wasting your time.”

She watches me closely, her eyes telling me she isn’t buying whatever I’m selling. “I think you’re lying to me. I think he’ll be very interested to hear what I have to say.”

I shake my head, trying to look undeterred. “I don’t know what Kane told you, but Rowan isn’t in love with me. He never was. And sure, I asked him for help, but that fell apart pretty quickly. He won’t speak to you. He won’t come.”

My eyes land on Kane, who looks away again. The best way to tell a lie is to sprinkle some truth into it.

A weight settles inside me. Rowan will think I’ve betrayed him. He won’t come to my rescue. The words feel like lead in my mouth. I don’t want to be right, but maybe I am. Maybe he won’t care. Maybe this has all been a lie.

He won’t come…

Anders smiles as she pulls out a gun and levels it at my head. “Then there’s no point in keeping you alive then, is there?”

I don’t flinch. For the first time, there’s no surge of panic. Just exhaustion. Resignation. A bitter voice whispers in the back of my mind:Rowan won’t come.

She laughs again, lowering the gun. “Relax. I’m not going to kill you—yet. If Rowan refuses to come to the table, then you’re of no use to me. So, you better pray he cares just a little, Kimura.” She turns to look at Kane before walking out of the room and leaving us alone.

We stare at each other for a long moment, my breathing heavy and his steady. A thousand words race through my mind, but none of them feel like the right ones.

“Kane,” I say carefully. “You don’t have to do this.”

He shakes his head. “You don’t understand,” he says.

“Tell me,” I say. “Tell me what she has on you. That has to be it, right? You can’t be doing this by choice.”

He sucks in a shaky breath, and I know I’ve struck something. Anders has something over him. This isn’t just about money; there’s something else too.

“Let’s say Anders is right,” I rush to continue. “Let’s say Rowan does care about me. That means he’s already looking for me. That means he’s about to figure out you were at my place last night. What do you think happens after that? He will go right to your house, to Tanya, and the girls. In fact, he might not even go personally. He’ll send Xander and believe me when I say youdon’t want him anywhere near them.Idon’t want him anywhere near them. You have to think this through, Kane.”

His hands clench, but I catch the glint of fear in his eyes. He knows I’m right.

“Are you sure this is a risk worth taking?” I add, quieter now.

He doesn’t answer. He just turns and walks out, leaving me alone in the silence.

Chapter Twenty: Rowan