Page 144 of Scattered Glitter

“Get your pretty butt up here,” he commands, patting the seat behind him.

I climb on, arranging my bag on my back, and he scoops his hands under my thighs and pulls me flush against him. I let out a laugh at his way of helping me adjust. As soon as I’m settled with my arms around him, he revs the engine, and we take off, the world blurring past us, my nerves easing as the wind rushes by.

The unmistakable strains ofBackstreet Boysfilter in through my helmet, and Sylus sings along, his off-key notes making me smile as I do the same.

CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

Novalee

By the time we reach the Lane Building, the adrenaline from the ride has simmered into a tense buzz beneath my skin. Sylus pulls the bike to a stop next to the Bronco at the back entrance, and I slide off, my legs feeling slightly unsteady. Unbuckling the helmet, I hand it back to him before we head inside, where Sylus guides me to the big room with the stage in the center. The one I was in with Koen and Levi the first time.

Koen appears almost immediately as we make our way toward the center stage, striding over with his signature commanding presence. His sharp eyes sweep over me, assessing, clearly trying to read my state of mind.

“How’s your head?” he asks, stopping in front of me.

I raise an eyebrow, fighting back a grin. “Never had any complaints.”

Sylus chuckles, breaking the tension as I glance at him with a smile, but then there’s the faintest pressure on my jaw as Koen guides my gaze back to him. He’s frowning, clearly not amused by either of us.

“I was asking about your cheek,” he clarifies with abrush of his fingers below the bruise he shouldn’t be able to see.

“I’m fine,” I say quickly, stepping toward the stage and out of his touch, closer to where Levi and Ezra are standing. “It only hurts if I press directly on the cheekbone, which, let’s be honest, isn’t exactly something I plan on doing all the time.”

I greet Levi with a tight nod, ignoring Ezra entirely, but Koen isn’t done yet. He moves in front of me again as I come to a stop next to Levi. “Are you sure?” Koen presses, his eyes narrowing. “Have you eaten today?”

I think back to the Twinkie from three a.m. That was technically today, but there’s no way I’m admitting that. “Sure.”

He’s not convinced, of course, his gaze lingering on me as if he’s trying to see through my words. “Are you keeping up with your water?”

I roll my eyes, my patience fraying at the edges. “What are you, my keeper?”

“Want me to be?” he teases, something other than a concerned frown finally showing up on his handsome face. “We brought food and water. I could—”

“Koen.” I sigh, shaking my head, the annoyance evident in my voice. “I’m fine.” I cross my arms over my chest, a reflexive defense I can’t seem to shake. I don’t need him playing caretaker. And if I’m reading him right, he’s only doing this out of guilt.

I need him to be honest, not coddle me.

Koen steps into my space again, his smirk fading as he studies me, his gaze boring deep. He’s so close that I can feel the warmth radiating from his body, the intensity in his eyes making me squirm. “Are you mad at me?”

“No.” It’s a lie, and we both know it.

“Thought so.” His voice drops, almost tender. “I really am sorry, Little Thief.”

The gentleness in his words and the way his hand comes up to cup my cheek again catches me off guard. His thumb grazes my jaw, not put off by how I dismissed this gesture already, and something inside me twists and softens.

Except he lied.However, it wasn’t the lie itself. It was the fact that, for a moment, I’d let myself believe he might be someone I could trust.

That’s on me, right?

“You used me,” I bite out. “You lied to me.”

“I didn’tuseyou.” Koen’s eyes darken, but he doesn’t look away. “But you’re right, I lied,” he admits, though his tone is ironically unapologetic. “Because I had to protect my people. Because I didn’t know you.” His hand slips down to my neck, his touch somehow reassuring and infuriating. “I know you now,” he continues. “And I will protect you too. That requires trust, and a level of honesty I’m not sure you’re ready for.”

“Try me,” I challenge, and as I do, I’m unsure if I want to lean into his touch or push him away.

“All right.” He takes a step back, deciding for me, as he draws in a long, measured breath. It’s as if the weight of what he’s about to say is almost too much for him to bear. “No going back from here.”

Sylus moves closer beside me, his gaze darting between Koen and me as he does, while Levi shifts uncomfortably. Ezra is wearing a blank mask and unreadable.

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