‘My name is Kade.’
‘Did you choose that name?’
‘That’s myname.I knew it.I’ve felt it always.’
‘Do you want me to tell you why?’
‘So you can fill my head with more confusing bullshit?’
‘I’m gonna make you remember.’
‘You’re the one who let them down.You let them get taken.You were the bodyguard, after all.Maybe the person responsible isyou,ever think of that?’
‘Every minute of the day.’
‘Then maybe you dying is justified after all.’
‘J—Kade,your life, everything you experienced before this, it can’t just be gone and it’snot.It’s in there.You remembered Mari.Look.’He pulls his borrowed shirt sleeve back, showing Kade the rainbow fox.‘Mari.’
Silence falls again, and this time Kade resents it.
Something about this man keeps him on edge, instincts sharpened despite the growing pull to stay close, ask questions, understand more.It’s too much to process at once, and Kade is cynical by nature, wary as a default setting, but some of the things Lachlan said are impossible to ignore.The sun is almost fully risen on this brand-new day in Varrow City.
‘What are you gonna do now?’
Lachlan’s gaze stays fixed on Kade.‘What do you want me to do?’
‘As if you’ll justdoit?’
‘Of course I will.’
Dangerous warmth stirs inside.
Kade locks it down, cuts it off.
‘I’m just supposed to believe that?This could all be a trick.’
‘To do what?I had your boss and I let him go.Youare my focus.If you tell me to leave, I’ll go.Tell me to stay, I’ll stay.Tell me—’
‘Get on your knees.’
A flash of softness brushes across his features, ripple effect of some affection Kade can’t fathom because anyone else would be angry, offended,refuse, but Lachlan doesn’t refuse.He drops to his knees atop leafy mulch and cold earth, patiently awaiting what else Kade might say.The temptation to touch him, to trace his face with fingertips is nigh upon overwhelming.
Kade resists.‘If I have to trust that you mean what you said—’
‘You can trust me, Kade.’
‘Don’tinterrupt me.’
Lachlan smirks.‘God, I missed you.’
His heart does a weird backflip, mouth gone dry.‘If you mean what you said, then prove it.Leave now and don’t hurt anyone else.’
‘All right, I’ll leave.’
‘Thank you.’
‘But I’ll be back tomorrow.’
