Page 186 of Kentrell

But the way Zoe said it… the look in her eyes…

I knew exactly what she meant.

“Take me home,” she repeated, low and tight between her teeth.

No more talking.

I pulled back, grabbed her hand, laced my fingers with hers, and led her straight to the door.

Zora and Darius were both on our heels, voices following us down the hallway—but we didn’t stop.

I helped her back into my truck, closed the door, circled to my side… and got in.

No hesitation. No second-guessing.

I drove off…

Destination:Home.

Wherever the fuck that meant now.

SIXTEEN

ZOE

The city blurredoutside my window, slick with tears I refused to let fall.

Streetlights stretched into long, golden streaks through the glass… and I couldn’t tell if the fog on the pane was from my breath… or the rage boiling hot behind my eyes.

I blinked. Once. Twice.

Still murky.

Still heavy.

Kentrell hadn’t said a word since we pulled off. And honestly… I was grateful for that.

His silence wasn’t awkward. It wasn’t hollow.

It was intentional.

Thick… like a weighted blanket wrapped tight around the hurricane inside me.

I leaned my forehead against the cool glass, breathing shallow, fighting the pressure swelling in my chest.

My mother.

My boss.

My life.

All of it… built on a lie.

How many years had I praised a ghost?

This perfect man she described—like he was some mythical figure carved from honor and sacrifice. The man who died too soon. Who taught her to love herself. Who set the standard for what I should expect from a man.

I grew up believing in him.

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