Page 65 of Fractured Loyalties
Elias nods. “The ink, the message style, the watch on his wrist in the footage—everything tracks.”
I sit.
“You think he’s in the building?”
“No. But he was nearby.” Elias crouches in front of me. “I need you to listen now. You don’t open your door unless it’s me. You don’t step out unless I say. I don’t care if it’s Celeste or Alec or the fucking fire chief.”
My voice is quiet. “And if someone calls me out?”
His voice drops. “You don’t answer.”
The room feels like it’s shrinking.
But I nod.
Because this time, the fear isn’t irrational.
It’s earned.
And it’s close.
Elias leaves as quietly as he came. Swift. Silent. I listen until I can’t hear his footsteps anymore.
I barely have a moment to recalibrate when there’s another knock. This one lighter. Brighter.
“Mara?”
It’s Celeste.
“Yeah,” I call out, trying to keep the edge out of my voice.
She pushes the door open and pokes her head in like she’s about to explode from curiosity. “Hey, don’t freak, but a guy came by earlier asking for you.”
My stomach knots. “When?”
“Maybe five or ten minutes ago? Super handsome. Tall. Dark eyes. Gave major ‘I kill people for fun’ energy, but in a hot way.”
I raise an eyebrow, deadpan. “You mean the guy who literally just left my office?”
Celeste laughs, caught. “Okay, yeah, but I didn’t know who he was. He came in like a damn shadow, no smile, didn’t say a word to anyone but security. Just walked straight past the desk and up to your door.”
“So you saw him come in.”
“I saw him comeout. And I mean, look at your face. You looked like someone pressed a wire against your spine.”
I don’t say anything.
Celeste smirks, stepping into the room fully. “He’s hot, Mara. But also—very, very scary hot. Whoishe?”
I hesitate, then offer, “Someone I trust.”
She eyes me. “That’s it?”
“That’s enough.”
Celeste crosses her arms. “Look, I don’t need the details. But I know how to read a room. And your room smells like heat and secrets.”
I huff a laugh despite myself.
