He grinned and pressed his thumb to the screen next to mine.
LODGED: 6:58:43PM
RESIDENCE: THE CROW HOUSE
WITNESS: CAMERON CROW
“Thanks,” I said quietly, taking the phone back.
“What’d you do to get slapped with a TimeLock?” he asked, stretching.
I hesitated. Then exhaled.
“Forgot to fill out the fridge usage form for the communal dorm,” I muttered.
He stared at me. “You’re kidding.”
I wasn’t.
That was the excuse they gave me. Thepaperworkexcuse.
But we both knew it wasn’t about the fridge.
It was aboutpunishment.
Control.
Power.
He shook his head. “Bet they wouldn’t’ve done it if your brother stuck around five more minutes.”
I nodded faintly.
“Don’t forget the platter,” he added as I turned to leave. “And make it the one with the pastries. None of that Greek yogurt health crap.”
I nodded again and walked toward the stairs, holding the phone to my chest as if the confirmation screen might disappear if I didn’t protect it.
I hadn’t walked into this room before midnight in nearly a month.
And somehow… the six minutes before it struck feltheavierthan any of the nights I’d crept in while they were already asleep — or pretending to be.
I hovered outside the door. Phone in hand.
My fingerprint already logged. Cameron’s, too.
Location matched. Lodged.
I’d been in the house hours ago. But I hadn’t beenhere. Not really.
I let out a slow breath.
The brass handle was cool under my fingers. I turned it.
The door opened without a sound.
They were both inside.
Luca was in bed, one arm behind his head, shirtless. His eyes flicked up when I entered, unreadable.