“You suck at this.” Zara rolled her eyes. “I don’t know how the fuck you lied about your identity your entire childhood. You can tell whichever Melior Group lackey is standing next to you to come out. I know they’ve tracked me to Harvey’s house. I called to tell you where I am. I need help.”
I couldn’t help glancing up at Alec again. He wore his signature scowl as he reached a hand out for the phone. I passed it to him and, with shaky legs, lowered myself back to the bench.
“Oh, hey, Ace.” Zara’s tone was saccharine, and I wondered why she was being so antagonistic if she really wanted our help. This could all be a trap, but Alec knew what he was doing. I had to trust he would take care of it.
When he spoke, his voice was hard but professional. “Zara, if you’re serious about handing yourself in, don’t struggle. They’re under orders to detain you. Do not resist. Do you understand?”
I didn’t hear a response before Alec kept speaking. “If you use your ability and any of the men and women coming your way are harmed, you will spend the rest of your life rotting in a windowless cell.” Most people wouldn’t have picked up on the emotion in his voice, but I detected the hint of anger in the slight growl in his throat, the way his free hand curled into a fist.
“Harvey,” he continued, “just stay out of the way, man. And show them your hands so they know you’re not a threat.”
Without warning, he hung up. I took the phone numbly as he sat down next to me.
“You hung up?” I stared at the phone, then at him as prickles of panic started to poke at me again. “Wait . . . what . . . why?”
Alec put an arm around me and spoke in a low, soothing tone. “Our team was thirty seconds out. She can’t get away now, and Harvey will be better off if he’s not distracted. It’s handled. Wanna go grab some lunch?”
“Do I want to . . . what?”
I guess he was used to dealing with life-and-death situations, putting it out of his mind once he’d done what he could, trusting the people on the ground. But I wasn’t. My mind and heart were still in that dark room in Australia.
“Evie.” He nudged my chin until I was facing him, then gently held the side of my neck. “There’s nothing more we can do. The team will report as soon as it’s done. You need to clear your mind. Focus on me. Look at my eyes, precious.”
My mind beat against his words, my thoughts going faster than I could articulate them. But I made myself look into Alec’s piercing eyes. His stare had always been arresting, but now when he looked at me, love permeated his gaze, not hostility. My shoulders relaxed slightly as my breathing slowed to match his.
He smiled, then leaned down and placed a gentle kiss on my lips. Pulling away just a fraction, he spoke in almost a whisper. “Feel the cold breeze on your skin.”
I listened, feeling the breeze.
“Listen to the voices, the leaves, the cars in the distance.”
I listened, remembering where we were. The people, the sounds, the sun streaming through the leaves—everything slowly came back into focus. Alec’s honey voice and strong hands calmed me down despite myself.
He leaned away, a faint smile on his face, just as Charlie walked up to join us.
“Good work.” Alec fist-bumped him, and Charlie gave a smug smile.
“What was that all about? Or should we not discuss it in public?” Charlie looked around. The courtyard was clearing again as students and staff moved off for their next classes and commitments.
“I think we’re safe,” Alec answered.
I sat up a little straighter. “Wait, that was you? Tracking the call?”
“Yeah.” Charlie shrugged before casually sitting down on my other side. “So why was I tracking a call from your ex-boyfriend to your ex-boyfriend’s house?” He raised his eyebrows, his amused gaze moving to Alec. “Interesting use of Melior Group resources.”
Alec leaned around me and smacked his cousin on the shoulder. “Smartass. Zara surfaced.”
Charlie whistled low. They were both men of few words, and while it was annoying sometimes, it had its benefits when you were discussing sensitive information in public.
“I thought your stalking ways had reignited. But, just for the record, she saved my life, so my allegiance is to her now.” Charlie gave me a