Page 14 of Midnight Rebel

His gaze locks onto mine, eyes dark with concern. “I don’t want you getting hurt.”

I swallow hard, fighting the sensation his proximity is stirring deep in my chest. But I can’t back down—not when I’m getting closer to unraveling the mystery. “Then help me.”

A muscle ticks in his jaw. He takes a deep breath as if steeling himself. “Fine. Come to The Manor tomorrow.”

I blink, surprised at the sudden shift. “What?”

He steps even closer, his gaze locking onto mine. “I’ll get you access. Give you the chance to see everything you want... things the public will never see.”

I don’t even get to respond with disbelief because the next thing he says sends goosebumps chasing up my arms.

“And I’ll be with you. Every step.”

My breath catches. This is exactly what I wanted: an inside look at The Manor, guided by the one person who could truly open the doors. But... I didn’t expectthis.

Didn’t expect he’d stand so close, his voice so low, that I could almostfeelhis lips brush against my skin.

“Why now?” I ask, struggling to keep focus. “Why offer this now?”

His eyes lock on mine, unwavering with an intensity I can’t look away from.

“Because youneedme,” he says simply. “And if you’re going to be involved in this, whether I like it or not, I can’t let you go in alone. Not anymore.”

His words hang between us, heavy with an unspoken promise—one that makes my pulse race and my throat tighten. I should say something—anything—but I can’t seem to find the right words.

Instead, I just stare at him, at the raw emotion brimming in his eyes, as if being apart from me could break something in him.

Finally, I manage to speak. “All right,” I say quietly, my voice softer than intended. “Tomorrow.”

Colt takes a step back, nodding, his expression less guarded now. “10 AM,” he says, reaching for the door. “Don’t be late.”

I watch Colt turn to leave, a sudden ache in my chest. Moments ago, he’d stormed in here, all fury and demands. Now, I’m fighting the urge to call him back.

But before he opens the door completely, he glances back at me one last time. His voice drops lower, and something almost... desperate laces his tone.

“Autumn.”

I swallow hard, trying—and failing—not to let his voice affect me. “Yeah?”

He hesitates for a moment. “Stay safe.”

The door clicks shut. I’m alone, staring at the closed door like it might whisper secrets. My legs give out, and I sink onto the bed.

I rake my fingers through damp hair. My mind whirls, replaying every word, every look. What just happened?

I’m lost in this storm, and from the look in his eyes, so is he.

Tomorrow, I’ll plunge deeper into the secrets—those at The Manor and those between us—that could unravel everything I thought I knew about the case and, possibly, myself.

I eye my phone, tempted to text Skylar, but words fail me. This case has morphed into something bigger, consuming.

Suddenly, I’m unsure if I’m controlling the narrative or if it’s controlling me.

With a sigh, I toss the phone back on the nightstand and lie down, staring up at the ceiling, my mind replaying every detail of Colt’s stormy blue eyes, the way his voice softened at the end.

I close my eyes, and for too long, Colt’s presence lingers in the darkness, wrapping around me like the caress of his warm breath on my skin and the weight of his hand pressed to the small of my back.

Sleep is elusive, and when it finally takes me, it’s restless.

---