Page 106 of Lock

I pushed back from the desk and stood. My shoulders were tight, jaw aching from how hard I’d been clenching it all day. The compound felt too loud and too quiet at the same time. Boots on concrete. Voices down the hall. Life kept going on like everything wasn’t balanced on a knife edge.

I left the office and followed my instinct.

Straight to Wraith and Ember’s suite, the door was open slightly, warm light spilling into the hall.

I stopped just outside the open door.

Kellan was sitting on the couch, hoodie sleeves pushed up, both hands wrapped around a warm mug. Ember sat beside him, one leg tucked under her, shoulder pressed lightly into his. She looked worn out, but calm and even has small smile

Kellan wasn’t smiling though, he looked wrecked.

His shoulders were hunched in on themselves like he was trying to take up less space. His eyes were too bright, his mouth pulled tight like he’d been grinding his teeth.

“I’m sorry,” he was saying. “I swear, if I’d known—if I’d even thought?—”

Ember reached out and flicked his forehead, gentle but firm. “Stop.”

He blinked at her.

“I don’t blame you,” she said. “Not even a little.”

“But my dad?—”

“Your dad is your dad,” she cut in. “You are you.”

That landed harder than she probably realized.

Kellan swallowed and nodded, but guilt was still written all over his face. Like he thought he was somehow responsible this.

I didn’t deserve him… I didn’t but there was no chance I was letting him go. I would burn it all down before I did.

I stepped into the doorway then.

Ember glanced up first. Her eyes met mine and softened. She knew. She always knew.

“Well,” she said, straightening. “Look at that. The grim reaper himself.”

I snorted before I could stop myself. “That’s generous.”

Kellan head lifted at the sound of my voice. His face flushing instantly.

Why was that so sexy. It was like his body recognized me.

“You okay?” I asked.

He nodded too fast. “Yeah. I just?—”

“He’s mad on my behalf,” Ember said, amused.

My brow lifted. I looked back at him. “You’re mad?”

He huffed a breath. “They tried to run you off the road.”

“And now you’re offended,” I said.

He shot me a look. “I can be offended.”

I laughed then. A real one. Short and sharp, but it cut through some of the pressure in my chest.