Page 105 of Gathered Sparkle

I let out a breath, frustrated but knowing he’s right. “Should’ve thought about that sooner.”

“We’ve got time.” Koen shrugs. “Honestly, now that you’re in this with us, I’m not worried. We’ll get what we need.” But then he hesitates, his expression softening before he speaks again. “I need to apologize again. For everything. For letting you down.”

The words are a sucker punch, but I don’t flinch. Instead, I force a shrug. “It’s fine.”

“It’s not fine,” he presses. “I thought about it, and you’re right. I was an asshole. I should’ve—”

“Should’ve what?” I interrupt, my gaze locking on the elevator doors ahead. “Should’ve talked to me? Should’ve been there? It’s been thirteen years, Koen. Don’t act like this is new.”

I feel his eyes on me, his silence heavy. A part of me wants him to fight back, to justify himself, but he doesn’t. Instead, he lets out a sigh, and for some reason, that makes it worse. My grip on the tension inside me falters.

He shakes his head. “You’re a pain in the ass, you know that?”

My lips twitch, and against my better judgment, I glance his way. “Let’s get some food, dickhead.”

“Deal,” he replies, grinning as he claps me on the shoulder. “I’m starving.”

We step into the elevator, the quiet hum of its descent filling the space between us. I keep my focus on the floor numbers ticking down, refusing to let my mind wander. But it does, anyway.

Because the truth is, I’m still hurt. It’s been over a decade of hurt. That doesn’t vanish overnight. The walls I built to keep him out aren’t going to crumble because he’s suddenly here, suddenly trying to patch things up.

Ifhe’s even doing that. How can I be sure he’s not using me the same way he intends to use Veronica?

Hell, he already did, sending Novalee after me.

But God help me, it’s like no time has passed when I’m with him. The jokes, the ribbing, the way he looks at me as though I’m the same kid he used to protect—it feels familiar. Too familiar.

Like I have my best friend back.

Even if I’m cautious.

Even if I know better than to trust it.

When the elevator dings and the doors slide open, Koen steps out first. I follow, keeping my distance, my thoughts tangled in everything unsaid between us. It’s strange, this mix of hurt and something I don’t want to call hope. Because I know better. Thirteen years of silence doesn’t up and disappear becausesomeone decides to apologize. But then again, maybe it’s not about the apology. Maybe it’s about what happens next.

Koen glances back at me, his expression unreadable, but there’s a question he doesn’t ask out loud.

I don’t answer it.

Not yet.

But as we walk toward the exit, I realize the weight between us feels a little lighter. Maybe it’s temporary. Maybe it’s not.

Either way, it’s more than I’ve had in a long time.

CHAPTER TWENTY

Alaric

My skin feels alive, at war with my mind.

The hum of the car engine thrums in my ears as Sylus navigates Koen’s G-Wagon through the Vegas streets. Annabelle’s voice floats from the passenger seat as she talks animatedly with him. It’s light, easy—a perfect distraction for them.

For me? Not so much.

I drag my thumb across the corner of my mouth absentmindedly, trying to look out the window and not obsessively watch Nova’s every tremble. Her hand is clamped around mine like a vice, her breaths uneven. She’s fidgeting with the silver bracelet on her wrist, sliding it back and forth.

I should’ve noticed earlier. Should’ve seen how much she was struggling on the drive to the Plaza. She was up front then, and I’d been so busy wrestling my own demons that I didn’t see hers clawing at her. Of course, this is hard for her, being in a car after what happened to us.

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