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“Yeah,” he says firmly. “I’m sure.”

I don’t like it but it’s his decision, so, I nod once, pressing down my own emotions. “Okay.”

Chapter Twenty-Three: Alex

Sying smells of damp cement and steel. Harsh fluorescent lights buzz overhead faintly. The warehouse is famed and highly protected. I can’t imagine the secrets that are hidden here. Anyone in the OCU would kill to see this place first hand.

The thought of the OCU makes my stomach drop. The fallout from Chief Anders’ death will be massive, and I know questions are already floating around about her death, but she’s the last thing I want to think about.

I know The Snake has covered it up and disguised it as a gang-related kill, but someone out there, someone in The Judiciary, knows that’s not true and they will want answers soon.

Rowan walks ahead of me, his back straight, his stride confident. The guards move aside with the kind of respect reserved for someone untouchable, their serpent tattoos on display as they nod in silent acknowledgment. I walk next to him, ignoring the way the men’s eyes flick to me, curious about who is walking with their potential future leader. I don’t want them to know me, much less see me.

When we reach the heavy metal door, two guards straighten to attention. One of them pushes it open, and it moves with a quiet groan. Rowan steps inside without hesitation, but I pause for a second, my stomach twisting. I know what’s waiting for meon the other side, and I don’t think I’m ready to face it. But I have no choice, so I walk in.

The room is a small, lit by a single overhead light that casts a harsh shadow against the cement. Kane is slumped against the wall, his wrists bound behind his back with coarse rope—the same kind that cut into my skin just days ago. My eyes drift to my own bruises, now mottled yellow and purple, and I wince.

Kane looks up at the sound of my footsteps, dark hair streaked with grey matted with sweat and sticking to his forehead. The sight of him in this state hits me like a punch to the gut. He smiles—weak, almost hesitant—and for a split second, all I see is the man I trusted. The man who taught me everything I know. The man who let me into his family.

“Alex,” he rasps, his voice cracked and dry. “You’re here.”

I wonder how long he’s been down here. Despite the sweaty clothes, he looks unharmed, no blood staining any part of him, probably because of Rowan’s instruction. Both relief and apprehension spread through me.

“Hi,” I say.

He watches me carefully, his expression softening. “You might not believe me but I’m glad you’re okay. You should know that I would have never let her hurt you.”

I ball my hands into fists, anger rising so suddenly, hot and fast in my chest that I can barely contain it. “But you did hurt me,” I say. “You used me.”

He shakes my head. “It was never supposed to go down this way. You weren’t supposed to end up there.”

I don’t know what to say to that. I look for the words, but none come. What did he think would happen?

Kane looks past me to Rowan, who stands behind me, leaning against the wall with his arms crossed and expression unreadable.

“So, this is it?” Kane asks, his voice steady. “You’re with him now? You’ve traded the badge for The Snake?”

My throat tightens, but I force myself to keep my expression blank. I don’t answer because the truth is—I don’t know.

“That’s not—” I begin.

“I was trying to protect you. I’ve always tried to protect you,” He cuts me off. “You should know that I didn’t have a choice.”

I shake my head, finding my words again. “This wasn’t about protecting me, and you did have a choice. You chose to protect yourself.”

His eyes blaze, and for what feels like a minute, we stare at each other. Finally, he slumps back against the wall, resigned. “Like I said, it was never supposed to go this far. I didn’t want to involve you in this mess. I just needed your help.”

The way he makes it sound so simple makes my stomach twist. “So, you thought manipulating me and using Halle’s case was the way to do it?”

“I admit it wasn’t my finest moment, but I was desperate. Anders was going to tell Tanya the truth, and I panicked. You know I can’t lose her.”

I do know that, and yet he still cheated. My mind drifts to Kane’s daughters. They’ll be worried about their dad. They’ll want to know why he hasn’t come home, and Tanya will have to lie to them.

“Anders promised you’d be chief, didn’t she?” I ask. “This wasn’t just about the cheating. She offered you something you couldn’t refuse.”

He doesn’t say anything, just looks at me and I know I’m right. I always thought Kane didn’t really want to be chief, despite being the best at his job. I realise now that I didn’t know anything about him.

“Well, you got your wish,” I continue, “She won’t be telling anyone anything now and you might even get her job, but her blood is on your hands.”