Page 51 of Fallen Empire

He might not know the name Jaxson Westbrook…

But he knew Knox.

And if he’d seen the tabloids—seen my face beside hers—it wouldn’t take him long.

I’d have to tell Ben.

Because when Costa came, and I knew he would, he wouldn’t pull punches. He’d lay every card I’d ever hidden on the table.

And if Ben heard it from anyone but me, I’d lose him.

Didn’t matter how many lives we’d saved side by side.

That kind of betrayal would cut deep.

I wasn’t stupid.

If they figured out I was the one who crippled their pipeline—the one who dismantled the flow of cash and cargo they built their empires on—

And then found out she was still alive?

They’d come for her.

Because I made one fatal move.

I let them see what she meant to me.

And now, they knew—

She’s the only thing I couldn’t afford to lose.

I swallowed the bile rising in my throat, jaw tight as I leaned forward, elbows digging into my knees. My fingers itched to reach for her again, to brush her hair from her face or whisper something that would keep her anchored to this side of consciousness. But I couldn’t.

Not after what the doctor said. Not when even my touch could cause more damage.

I had already done enough.

My world was coming back to life, and I didn’t know if I’d just handed it over to the wolves.

Ben’s gaze flicked toward me. Sharp. Silent.

He didn’t speak. He didn’t have to.

He knew there was something I wasn’t saying. And I could feel it. The pressure building between us like a loaded gun waiting to go off.

Eventually, I’d tell him everything.

But for now, I could settle for telling him who Alex Cox really was, and pray it bought me enough time to figure out how the hell I was going to explain what I’d been up to these past few days.

If Nic’s fury was any indication, telling Ben would probably end with a fist to my face.

The door creaked open before the weight of guilt could crush me completely.

Nic stepped in, two to-go bags in hand and a look on her face that made one thing clear.

This wasn’t just about bringing back food. Not even close.

Her face morphed into normalcy the second she realized Ben was still in the room.