Page 65 of On Edge

His heart thuds against my palm, in time with my own.

And slipped free from his shirt, right next to my hand, is a key on a chain. One shaped like a swan.

A swan key.

I blink at it. Unable to move my hand as longing pools molten at the base of my spine, and I feel so very weak. It feels like electricity is flowing between us, thick and charged as thunder clashes outside. Knowing that he’s holding me up, his touch searing through my wet dress, makes it even worse.

It lingers on him…the smell of ozone and rain. And the same scent that wrapped around me on those stairs when his mouth was on mine, his hands doing things that I want to forget but can’t.

Troy doesn’t seem to want to forget, either. His nostrils flare, and he’s staring at my lips. But another drop of water drips from him. It lands on my cheek; we’re that close.

Faintly, somewhere in my mind, Nell hisses,Kiss him. Then get his face ID to open the phone.

And so…

“Comet’s a pretty name.” It just rushes out.

He frowns. “What are you chirping about?”

“The horse. Comet.” The words keep flying out of my mouth before my brain can catch up. It’s my M.O. When in an awkward situation, change the topic.

The muscle in his jaw ticks. “I didn’t name her.”

“Oh. W-Who did?”

His eyes turn to broken glass. His body stiffens, and then…he sets me back, a foot apart from him, his grip tightening on me once, before falling away.

Casually, he leans over and takes a towel from the rack above me. “Close up when you’re finished, Lovett.”

Turning around, he stalks out of the tack room and most likely out of the barn, leaving me to dry off alone—my pulse fluttering against my throat like a dying butterfly the entire time.

16

What I Know About Troy Severin—the Grayfleet Investigation

so far…

1) Marriage Contract: date changed. why? who benefits? Troy knew my sister intimately?

2) Property Agreement: bought Grayfleet a year and a half ago from MY father,same day as engagement?!

3) Newspaper Clipping: Swanley family died in fire and son (Edward) was blamedbut he was just a kid?The new barn is dedicated to the memory of the fire. Why?Is Troy Severin related to the Swanleys? Is he Edward?

4) Nell’s Diary: torn pages,blood stains(check tower, need bolt cutters)

5) Ring: Irish crest. Mother’s. Engraving inside readsSuibhne? (research needed)

6) Multiple passports: unfamiliar names, why so many? who is he really?

7) Prison time: detained where and for how long? Any why?

Next Steps →

Break into his office (again).

Steal swan key?

Unlock phone with Face ID.Can Nola open it?