Page 73 of Killaney Fire

"I've never not been on your side," he cuts in. "Like I said, I just won't let you do stupid shit like running down men across Boston."

I stop walking and turn to face him. "Won't let me?"

He steps forward. Close. Towering over me, his shadow swallowing mine. "No."

I should snap back. Should say something smart, but no. I think about him shirtless in my gym, the way his muscles flexed with every movement, the way his sweaty skin caught the light.

My gaze drops to his lips and then back up. I want to both slap and kiss him at the same time, and not just out of curiosity.

Something about the way he's looking at me makes me wonder how his lips taste, and what I'd do if I ever found out.

I just roll my eyes. "Let's go."

As we start walking again, my phone rings.

I pull it out, hoping it's my mom, but it's Declan.

"Hey," I answer as Octavian opens my door.

"Hey, Keira," Declan's voice is focused. "We've been working on the footage from the main entrance and ballroom," he says. "The guy Octavian chased and killed, I'm pretty sure he's the one who set the charge, but that's not the interesting part."

"What is?"

"We found another video. From the security desk. Of someone letting him in."

"Okay," I say, unsure what to make of it as Octavian shuts my door and slides into the driver's seat.

"It was one of your employees."

My stomach drops. "Are you serious?"

"Yeah. You can see he's wearing one of the Trust badges, the ones with full access. Still cross-referencing faces, but I'm going to send you some images in a few hours. Tell me if you recognize him, okay? We think he might be a mole working at the Trust. You'll know better."

A fucking mole inside the Trust. Jesus.

"Okay, sure. Send them as soon as you have them," I say, my voice steady even though my mind is spinning.

I almost tell him about Skyjester, but I stop myself. I can dig first. See where it leads. If it's solid, I'll bring it to the table. But if it's nothing, I won't waste anyone's time.

"Alright. I'll text you when they're ready," Declan says. "And Keira?"

"Yeah?"

"I love you. Be careful."

"I will. You too."

He hangs up, and I stare at the phone for a moment.

Skyjester. A mole. My parents still avoiding me.

I don't know what I'm walking into next.

But I know I don't want to walk into it alone.

I turn to Octavian, who's watching me with those dark, unreadable eyes.

"Take me home, please," I say.