Chapter 24 · The Stamp He Won't Name

"Say his name," the voice said through the speaker, flat and patient, like it had all night.

"Or say nothing and watch twenty-three finish falling." The number over the door hung at 23, red and shaking, refusing to drop to zero or climb back to green. My fingers were locked around the emergency bar next to Marco's, so cold I couldn't feel where my skin ended and the steel started.

"Marco." I didn't look at him. I couldn't, not with my back still pressed to his chest, his heartbeat knocking against my spine like it wanted out.

"Who signed the transfer stamp."

"Lila—" "Don't say my name like that's an answer." I twisted enough to catch his jaw, ice crystals caught in the stubble there, his breath fogging white between us.

"You knew what that word meant the second he said it. I watched your face."

"I don't know who he thinks signed it."

"That's not what I asked." The speaker crackled again, almost bored.

"Twenty-three's still open, Mr. Bell. Clock doesn't care about your marriage counseling.