Page 185 of Chasing Sparks

I glance toward the back to warn Lucille, but Kevin raises a hand, stopping me in my tracks.

“Don’t bother. Lucille walked across the street ten minutes ago. She looked well, by the way. Must be the company she keeps.” His smirk widens. “Though she’s not why I’m here.”

Fuck.

Clearing my throat, I shove my hands into my pockets, hoping the maneuver will keep my fists from flying into this prick’s face. “What do you want?”

Kevin strolls over to the reception desk, tapping his manicured fingers on the edge as he surveys the room. “You’re not very friendly to your clientele, are you?”

“You’re still not a client, so I’ll repeat—what do you want?”

Kevin’s smirk deepens as he leans casually against the desk. “I hear congratulations are in order.”

A chill races down my spine, but I keep my expression neutral. “If you’re here to congratulate me about Lucille, save it. She’s not your problem anymore.”

“Hardly.” Kevin chuckles, the sound low and grating. “I’m well rid of that one. She’s trouble, you know.”

“Then what are you congratulating me for?”

Kevin’s eyes narrow, and his voice drops an octave. “You know exactly what I’m talking about.”

I step closer, closing the gap between us. “You don’t know shit.”

Kevin tilts his head, his sneer sharpening. “Don’t I?”

My fists clench in my pockets, every muscle in my body coiled tight.

Kevin holds his ground, an air of arrogance surrounding him, his overpriced cologne assaulting my senses. “The better question is,howdo I know? And the answer, Hammond, is that I know everything.”

I grind my teeth, trying to keep my voice even. “If you’re here to play games, you can leave.Now.”

Kevin chuckles again, the sound like nails on a chalkboard. “Relax, Ash. I’m just saying it pays to know who your friends are—and where their loyalties lie. Sparkwood’s a small town, after all.”

My heart slams against my ribs. He knows. He fucking knows.

“I will kill you,” I growl, my voice cold and firm, every word laced with barely restrained fury.

“For what?” Kevin’s grin widens, his tone dripping with mock innocence. “For pointing out the obvious? For suggesting you keep your house in order? It’s not a crime to be observant.”

I step forward, glaring into his gray eyes. “Get. Out.”

Kevin raises his hands in mock surrender, but the smirk never leaves his face. “Message received, lover boy. No need to get so worked up. Just be careful. You’ve got a lot of moving parts to manage. Wouldn’t want them all to fall apart now, would you?”

His words hang in the air like noxious smoke as he strolls out, the door swinging shut behind him.

I stand there, frozen, Kevin’s words looping in my head like a ticking time bomb.

He knows.

About Ori. About Lucille. Maybe even about Trace.

There’s a goddamn leak.

Before I can think, the fury explodes from inside me. I whirl and slam my fist into the wall, the sheetrock caving beneath the force. Pain radiates up my arm, sharp and searing, but I welcome it.

“Jesus Christ, Ash!”

Braden’s voice cuts through the haze, and I glance up to see him rushing toward me. His gaze volleys between the jagged hole in the wall and the blood dripping from my knuckles.

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