Page 180 of Traitor

Bones sighs, running a hand through his hair. "Ghost."

I turn to him, brows furrowing.

"He hasn't played in over thirteen years. Now, since the new Adora shit, he's been playing almost daily." He shakes his head, his jaw tightening. "I think it was something she liked. And he's trying to somehow feel closer to her. I don't fucking know. He refuses to talk about it."

Pain twists in my chest, but I push it down. That's not my story to carry.

"Do you need to go to him?" I ask, searching his face.

"If I go right now, he'll smash the violin over my head." He smiles, but there's something heavy in his tone. "When he starts playing, he's lost to the world."

And then, his whole energy shifts.

He stands and stretches a big, rough hand toward me, grinning. "Come on, baby, let's not let his music go to waste." His voice dips low, teasing. "Dance with me."

I stare at him, lips parting.

"Do you even know how to dance to this kind of music?" I arch a brow, skeptical.

He winks, all confidence and cockiness. "I have no fucking idea."

My laughter bursts out, and I let him pull me to him.

I get lost so fast. In his eyes, in his smile, in the way he moves against me, like he's weaving himself into my skin all over again.

And then the last snowflakes of the season start falling, swirling around us in the quiet hum of winter's breath.

I tilt my head back, watching the flakes melt the moment they touch my skin, and a thought sinks its claws into me.

Did he ever actually leave from underneath my skin?

Dates

Bonus Chapter

Coffee date confessions

Bones

Isit in the small corner booth of Belladonna Brew, trying my best not to glare openly at the tiny menace behind the counter.

Ria is humming to herself as she prepares our coffee, throwing me a sly, mischievous glance every few seconds, knowing exactly how to push my fucking buttons. Beside me, Temper is smiling, relaxed, blissfully unaware of the bullshit storm brewing.

I shift closer to her, feeling a surge of possessiveness as she leans into me slightly. The past few days have been surreal. The bike ride she asked for, the dinner — each one felt like I'm slowly reclaiming a piece of something I never thought I'd have again. I've been careful, patient, letting her set the pace. But having Ria nearby feels like dancing on a minefield.

"Here you go, lovebirds," Ria chirps, setting our coffees down. She slides into the booth opposite us, a smug smirk already on her face. "Isn't this just adorable? Biker brute, it's nice to see you drinking something I haven't poisoned."

I narrow my eyes, reaching reluctantly for the cup. "Still not trusting that."

Temper laughs softly, nudging my side. "She won't poison you, Bones. Not this time. She likes me too much."

Ria bats her eyelashes dramatically. "Oh, Tempe, you're so cute. But you're right. I wouldn't poison him...yet. He's still on probation."

"Keep it up, demon," I mutter, bringing the cup to my lips on reflex and then immediately setting it down, without drinking.

Temper shakes her head, clearly amused. "Ria, you can't harass him forever, you know. We're turning a new leaf."

"Oh, but he can handle it." Ria leans forward, eyes gleaming wickedly. "He's tougher than he looks. Trust me, I've tested him."

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