Chapter 10 · The Bracelet in His Study

Reyes's car smells like old coffee and something metallic I don't want to think about.

I'm pressed against the passenger door, phone clutched in both hands like it's the only real thing left. The screen's still lit with that last text. *Got you.*

"Where are we going?" My voice comes out smaller than I want.

Reyes doesn't answer right away. He's watching the rearview more than the road, jaw tight. We turn left, then right, weaving through side streets I don't recognize. The city looks different at night when you're running from something you can't name.

"Safe house," he says finally. "Twenty minutes out. We need to figure out who's playing you before they—"

My phone buzzes.

We both flinch.

It's not a text this time. It's a call. Unknown number. My thumb hovers over the screen and I look at Reyes and he's already shaking his head no but I'm so fucking tired of not knowing.

I answer.

"Charlotte." Ethan's voice. Calm. Too calm. "Hang up and get out of that car."

"Why would I do that?" I'm trying to match his tone but my hands are shaking. "You've been lying to me since day one. Mara told me—