Chapter 22 · The Door Under Kane's House

"She locked you in the fire?"

Kane didn't move. He stood in the doorway of Eli's room, backlit by the hall, shoulders tight enough to snap.

"Answer me." I stepped between him and my brother. "Eli just said our mother locked you inside a burning building. True or not?"

"Evie—"

"True or not?"

Kane's jaw worked. Behind me, Eli's breathing evened out, sedative kicking back in. Nora hovered near the monitors, hand on her phone.

"It's more complicated than—"

"Then uncomplicate it." My voice came out flat. "Right now. Or I walk."

"You can't walk." Kane's eyes flicked to Eli. "You signed."

"Try stopping me."

He moved fast. One second he was in the doorway, the next his hand wrapped my wrist, warm and too tight. Not painful. Just absolute.

"You want answers?" His voice dropped. "Fine. But not here."

"Here's perfect."

"Nora's recording everything you say. Marcus owns half the hospital board. You want your brother's file flagged?"

Nora's face went carefully blank. Didn't deny it.

I yanked my wrist. Kane held on.

"Let go."

"Come with me."

"Where?"

"Somewhere your mother made sure I'd never forget her."

He let go. Stepped back. Waited.

I looked at Eli.