The Quarterb
Chapter 28
“Those are my case files,” L objectesl
Which belong to the firm,” he countered. “You can
ou can collect copies tomentome,”
After they left with my fides, Caspian closed the conference room door and turned to me, his green eyes dark with concern. In two strides, 1 his hands gripping my shoudibers gently,
“You te shaking,” be said quelly, his thumbs moving in small circles against my collarbone.
The touch should have made me pull away–six years of hurt screamed at
he was beside me,
to maintain distance–but instead I found myself leaning into his warmth.
Palmers changing tactics,” Lesplained, my voice betraying more volbability than I intended. “Chambers is here to control Diana and intimidate me. She claims she’s living to help IN DOM –
Caspian’s jaw lightened, a muscle jumping beneath his skin
wont let them hurt you, Sage – The fieter protectiveness in his voice made my heart..
i stutter painfully. “Whatever happened in the past between us–that incient history. But right now, were in this together.”
langers
brushed a
necessary. The gesture was so
Lender it made my
chest ache.
a strand of hair from my face, lingering longer
We barely escaped Palmer’s cabin trap” 1 reminded him, fighting the surge to step closer. “And now he’s brought the battle to my workplace,
“Then we fight back,” Caspian said with quiet determination. His hand slipped down to mine, squeezing once before releasing, “Show me Dianas note
I unfolded Diana’s message: Rachel meeting Chambers tonight at Le Blanc, 9PM. Evidence in my office safe. Code 4721.
we trust her Caspian asked, standing close enough that I could feel the heat radiating from his body.
know D
“I don’t know,” I admitted. “But she’s given us something we as verify.” I showed him the note: “If Rachel and Chambers meet tonight, we’ll k least telling partial truths,”
Back in my office, I discovered an unfamiliar folder tucked inside my desk drawer a detailed background investigation on both Diana documenting Diana’s earber meetings with Palmer and Chambers‘ history of “fixing” problematic cases,
On the last page was a handwritten note: “Watch them all. Not everyone is who they appear to be, —IEM,”
Diana’s at
and Chambers,
As I studied the mysterious folder, my phone buzzed with a test from Marcus: Isålde says you need backup tonight. I can be your lookout if needed.
Before I could respond, another text arrived from an unknown number: Playing with sales is dangerous, little Sage. Some things are better left locked away. Tell Duna art time is running out.
My blood turned to ice. Rachel knew about Diana’s safe and the exidence. But how?
The security camera in the hallway caught my attention, its tiny red light blinking steadily. Of course–Palmer wouldn’t just send Chambers, he’d have electionić eyes everywhere. I needed to move fast.
I grabbed my phone and tested Caspian Meet me at my apartment in 30. Bring that tool kit you mentioned,
I
My hand trembled slightly as I hit send, recalling the intensity in his eyes when he’d promised not to let them hurt me.
lix years of walls were cracking, and I couldn’t tell
best tell if it terrified or exhilarated me,
Tonight woulda 1 just be about collecting rodence; | was about outmaneuvering multiple predators circling closer by the hour.
If Diana’s safe contained what she promised, we might finally have the ammunition to fight back.
dh
ysterious folder from “TEM” before tucking it into my long. As I reached for the suns handle, it turned from the outside.
somewhere, Mi Winters! Vactor Chambers stood in the doorway, his cold smile never reaching his eyes.
