Page 51 of Unmask (Crew of Elmwood Public #2)

KAYLOR

T he fire in the hearth had burned low, amber flames dancing lazily over charred logs, casting shifting shadows across the walls.

I was curled into Kreed’s side, my head resting against the solid warmth of his chest, skin still flushed from what we’d shared.

His arm wrapped around me, muscles relaxed but still protective, the steady rhythm of his breathing almost enough to calm the turmoil inside me.

Almost.

My fingers trailed the black ink sprawled across his skin, following the intricate lines and shapes etched into him like a map. The tattoos were warm under my touch, raised slightly where the needle had gone deepest.

I soaked up everything: his scent, cedar with hints of sea; his warmth, the way it seeped into my bones and chased away the cold that had lived there for so long; and the low hum of contentment vibrating in his throat when I moved closer.

I was trying to stamp it all into memory, to burn these moments into my soul so deep they’d never fade.

These were my last minutes with him, and I wanted to press them into my bones like flowers between book pages, but the tighter I held on, the more everything inside me threatened to slip loose.

I blinked hard, trying to keep it all down. The tears burning behind my eyes. The ache squeezing my chest. The desperate, clawing grief of what I had to do tonight, but my chest trembled anyway, a shudder rolling through me before I could stop it, betraying every emotion I was trying to hide.

Kreed felt it. Of course, he did.

His body tensed beneath me, instantly alert.

He tipped my chin up with gentle fingers, thumb brushing beneath my jaw in a tender way that made my heart stutter.

The touch coaxed my gaze to his, and I found myself drowning in silver eyes that saw too much.

His brows furrowed, concern etching lines across his forehead.

“Don’t tell me you’re already regretting what happened. ”

I shook my head fiercely, hair whipping across my shoulders. “No. No regrets.”

His features softened. “What is it then?” His thumb traced my cheekbone, wiping away a tear I hadn’t realized had fallen. “Kenny?”

I swallowed hard, the movement painful in my throat. I nodded because it was easier than unpacking all of it, but it wasn’t just Kenny.

Not really.

It was everything. It was the rising panic in my chest, whispering that I was running out of time.

It was knowing I’d just given the last unbroken piece of myself to someone who’d already ruined me in a hundred different ways and still managed to put me back together again, piece by shattered piece.

I never imagined in a million years I would feel such heartache having to say goodbye to him. Not after what happened at the warehouse and not after all the blood and betrayal. Not after all the venom we’d spit and swallowed and all the ways our crews tried to destroy each other.

And yet, here I was.

Falling harder with every breath.

That was the cruelest twist of all.

“I didn’t mean to get emotional,” I whispered, blinking fast as the tears slipped free anyway, hot trails down my cheeks. “I’m sorry. It just…it hit me.”

Kreed’s arm tightened around me, tugging me flush against him until there was no space left between us. His lips brushed my temple, warm and reassuring, the kiss soft as a whisper. “Don’t apologize for feeling something.”

“I wasn’t supposed to,” I murmured against his skin, breathing in that scent I’d grown addicted to. “That wasn’t in the cards for us.”

The fire cracked and popped, sparks dancing up the chimney. “Don’t give up hope. Not yet. I’m waiting on a call.”

I lifted my head slightly, hope and fear warring in my chest. “Another lead?”

He nodded once, jaw set with determination. “A new location. We’re not done, not even close.”

I hesitated. “The Crew?”

Kreed’s mouth curved in a faint but tired smile, lines of exhaustion bracketing his eyes. “No. The Elite this time. I forwarded your cousin the data I got the other day. Figured it couldn’t hurt to have more eyes on it.”

I let out a slow breath, hope blooming in my chest. “And?”

He shrugged. “It was useful.”

“Good.” What Kreed didn’t know was that I was banking on that information being what saved me. I might be freeing Kenny, but I needed Kreed to find me. The irony wasn’t lost on me, trusting the one who had a part in destroying my life to become my salvation.

He looked down, brows drawing together as if he saw something through the tears, as if he could read my mind. His eyes searched my face, and I wondered what he found there.

I hadn’t anticipated this panicky desperation gripping me, everything inside begging me to stay by Kreed’s side. It was basic survival instincts, but Kenny wouldn’t be in this mess if it weren’t for me. I owed her everything.

I owed her my life.

I lay longer than I should have, cocooned in Kreed’s embrace, my skin still tingling from his touch as I absorbed his warmth like a dying star soaking in the last of its light before burning out.

His arm was heavy across my waist, his fingers splayed possessively over my hip, and for a moment, I let myself pretend this was real.

That we had time. That tomorrow wasn’t coming for us both.

But the hands on the clock continued to tick past, and eventually, I peeled myself off the couch, the separation like tearing skin from bone.

Kreed released a groan of complaint, his arms reaching for me instinctively, his fingers grasping at empty air.

His eyes were still closed, dark lashes fanned against his cheeks, but a frown pulled at his mouth. “Don’t go,” he muttered.

I wish I didn’t have to. I really do. “I need to pee,” I whispered, wrapping my arms around myself to ward off the sudden chill. He wouldn’t protest further when my bladder was in question, giving me the excuse I needed.

“Hurry,” he mumbled, still mostly asleep.

I’d never seen a more tempting sight in my life than Kreed naked and aglow by firelight.

The flames painted his skin in gold and shadow, highlighting every ridge of muscle, every line of ink that decorated his chest and arms. He could have been an ancient god of war, beautiful and dangerous and utterly mine… At least for a few hours he had been.

I bit my lip hard enough to taste copper. Move, Kaylor. If you don’t go now, you won’t be able to leave.

My brain somehow got the message, forcing my feet to move one in front of the other. Each step felt like walking through quicksand, my body fighting my mind. The ache in my chest grew heavier, spreading outward through my veins.

It was time.

Time to do the one thing I told myself I wouldn’t.

To lie. To manipulate. To betray those who had betrayed me first, but this wasn’t about revenge.

The Corvo boys somehow managed to do the impossible; they’d redeemed themselves, proved they were more than the monsters I’d thought them to be. But it wasn’t enough.

I had no choice. Not really.

This was about Kenny.

And if I didn’t do this… If I didn’t make the trade, if I didn’t show up at that meeting spot alone, she’d pay the price. I couldn’t let that happen. Not when her blood would be on my hands, not when I was the reason she’d been dragged into this nightmare in the first place.

Even if it meant becoming the villain in their story.

Kreed would be fuming when he figured it out, but I was counting on his anger to make him come after me. If anyone could find me, it was him. I had to believe that, or this whole plan would fall apart.

Phase one of sacrificing my life: slip sleeping pills into their drinks. Pretty messed up, but they’d done way worse to me. That thought didn’t make the guilt any lighter.

I tiptoed upstairs, the hardwood cold beneath my bare soles. The house was quiet except for the distant murmur of voices from the living room and the soft crackle of the dying fire. I crept down the hall to Aunt Char’s bathroom, my heart hammering so loudly I was sure someone would hear it.

She and my uncle were still overseas and would be for a few more weeks. Hopefully by then, this would all be over and I could get back to living my life like a damn normal senior on the verge of graduating. Hell, I prayed I could still graduate. I prayed I’d still be alive to graduate.

Aunt Char’s bathroom hadn’t changed in years.

The same sleek tub in the corner and the same French tiles around the bathtub.

It still smelled faintly of eucalyptus and old lipstick, scents that reminded me of childhood visits and simpler times.

I opened the cabinet behind the mirror, the hinges squeaking softly in protest.

I rummaged past ancient cold medicine and dusty hairpins, bottles of expired vitamins, and tubes of face cream. Finally, I found what I was looking for…the sleeping pills. I didn’t know how strong they were, but I had to take my chances.

I tipped a handful, smooth white tablets that looked so innocent, so harmless, into my palm. This was the part that crossed a line. The point of no return. Once I crushed these, once they were in the drinks…that was it.

I just needed enough to knock out four Corvos who never let their guards down. Four Corvos who would try to stop me if they knew what I was planning. And of course, I couldn’t forget Evan and his friend outside.

My stomach rolled as I cradled the pills in my hand. “I’m sorry,” I whispered to the mirror, as if speaking it could somehow make it better, but the apology was ash on my tongue, bitter and worthless. My reflection stared back at me with hollow eyes, and she didn’t forgive me.

As I trotted downstairs, I passed the boys in the living room. The TV was on low; none of them were really watching. They were busy on their phones, scrolling through social media or checking messages.