Page 12 of Catalyst

I blinked, momentarily stunned by the intensity in his voice. Kane never lost his cool. But this girl—this sheltered, fragile girl—was getting to him, and that was a problem.

“What happens when the baby gets here?” I crossed my arms, leaning against the doorframe. “You gonna play house? Kane, our place isn’t safe enough for a fucking cat, let alone a baby.”

Kane clenched his jaw, eyes dropping to the floor. “I didn’t think that far ahead.”

“No shit, you didn’t.” I rolled my eyes. “So maybe it’s time to figure out how to send her back to her parents. Then we can pretend this whole week never happened.”

Kane’s head snapped up, and he glared at me. “We’re not discussing this. Go tell her to get dressed. We need to leave soon.”

His tone left no room for argument, but a knot formed in my throat. I could push him more, but I didn’t want to. Not today.

“Why does she need to get dressed?” I asked, even though I had an unfortunate feeling I already knew the answer.

“For dinner. My mom’s excited to meet her.”

I raised a brow. Gianna Anastasakis, leader of the Eclipse Cartel, wanted to meetCallie.

“You think bringing a Voltaris into your family home is smart?” I challenged.

Kane took a sharp breath, his jaw tightening. He didn’t bother answering. He knew I was right, but no one could win an argument with me. I was too damn good at running my mouth.

“Just go get her,” Kane grumbled. “Or else.”

I held up my hands in mock surrender, shaking them dramatically. “Oh nooo, whatever will you do to me?”

“Jace,” he warned, the look in his eyes telling me I was about a heartbeat away from getting my ass kicked.

Normally, I’d push him until he snapped, but today? Nah, not in the mood. Last night had been tough. My clients had been rougher than usual, and while I knew nights like that came with the job, they still drained me in ways I couldn’t explain. And I couldn’t talk to Kane about any of it because if I did, he’d just get pissed at me for still doing it.

The last thing I needed was another fight with Kane. He already did enough for me, even if I could never tell him that.

“Fine, I’m going,” I mumbled, pushing myself off the doorframe and heading down the hall.

I didn’t need to see his face to know what he looked like—somewhere between annoyance and pity. He knew I’d had a terrible night. He’d ask later, and I’d lie. That’s how we worked.

Shaking off the thoughts, I focused on the task ahead. Dinner wasn’t going to lift my spirits, but messing with Callie? That just might.

I knocked on Sulien’s old bedroom door hard enough to make the hinges rattle.

“Rise and shine, princess!”

Nothing. Not even a snarky reply.

“Oh, Callie,” I sang, forcing faux sweetness to coat my words. “Your presence is being requested.”

Still nothing. Rude-ass brat.

I rolled my eyes and pushed the door open, half expecting to find her curled up, napping like she usually did. Instead, she was on the floor, hunched over an open laptop. Papers were scattered everywhere, covered in chaotic scribbles. What the hell was she doing?

“What the fuck are you up to?” I asked, my curiosity momentarily overriding my desire to torment her.

She didn’t even look up. She just kept working like her life depended on it. I stepped closer, peeking over her shoulder. It looked like some kind of diagram—or maybe she was summoning a demon. Whatever it was, it could wait.

“CALLIE!” I barked.

She jumped, yanking out one of her earbuds, eyes wide as she pressed a hand to her chest. “You scared me!”

“Maybe answer when I knock.” I grinned and dropped onto the floor beside her. “We’re leaving in half an hour. Get up and get dressed.”

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