Page 20 of The Obedient Lie

“Don’t say shit like that,” I muttered, dragging a hand over my jaw.

“Like what?” she tilted her head. All fake innocence.

I stared at her. “You know what.”

She smiled slowly. “Maybe I don’t.”

I stepped forward before I could stop myself.

She didn’t flinch.

Just looked up at me from the floor—wide-eyed and glowing. Chest rising too fast. Lips parted like shewantedto be kissed.

“If you’re trying to drive us insane,” I said, low, “it’s working.”

“I’m not trying anything.”

“You don’thaveto.”

Her breath hitched.

My hands twitched at my sides.

One more second and I would’ve done it—dropped beside her, grabbed her by the waist, and kissed that smug little look off her face.

But then I heard it.

Footsteps.

Luca’s voice. Close.

She reached for her water bottle, casual again. Like she hadn’t justset me on firein our own house.

I backed away without a word and left the room. Because if I stayed… I wasn’t going to keep pretending.

LUCA

I heard Bastion’s footsteps before I saw him. Fast. Tight.Controlled in that way he only got when he was about tolose it.

He brushed past me in the hall without a word, jaw clenched so hard I could see it twitch.

He didn’t look at me.

Didn’tneedto.

I already knew what that look meant.

So I kept walking.

Turned the corner into the lounge—and froze.

There she was.

Emilia Adams.

Still on the floor. Still flushed. Tank top clinging. Ponytail messy. Water bottle at her lips as she caught her breath, legs folded beneath her like she hadn’t just turned the house into afurnace.

She looked up when she saw me.