Page 236 of Midnights
Kane
Iwatch her, tracking every flicker of uncertainty in her eyes as she holds the envelope with trembling fingers. The air between us shifts, as the afterglow of what we just shared is replaced with a weight that settles between us like an unspoken truth.
I know it was a little fucked up to do that, but she needs to know what’s in there.
Watching her hover over the seal, tugs at something deep in my chest. I hate seeing her unsure and vulnerable. But I also know she doesn’t need me to swoop in and fix it.
“I can tell you what's in there if you’d rather not open it,” I offer.
Her eyes snap up to meet mine, and I see the weight of a thousand thoughts swirling in those hazel eyes. She’s stronger than I’m probably giving her credit for, and I’m not about to take that from her. No matter how much I want to.
A smile tugs at her lips, though it doesn't quite reach her eyes. “No, I've got it.” Her voice is steady but threaded with that biting edge I’ve come to expect. “Wouldn’t want to scar you for life if it turns out to be something spooky.”
Despite the tension, her attempt at humor pulls a faint smile from me. “Fair enough.”
I lean back, but my gaze stays locked on her. She carries everything, hides the cracks, and laughs like it doesn't cost her. It makes me want to shake her. It makes me want to worship her.
She pulls the papers free, and I can see the tension ripple through her shoulders. I knew what was in there wouldn't be easy, but watching her unravel in real time? It’s a hell I wasn’t prepared for.
“Princess?” I say softly.
She takes a shaky breath, blinking rapidly as her fingers tighten around the paper she's holding. “It’s... it’s what Cam found on my family.” Her voice shakes, but leave it to her to sound stubborn even when she's cracking. “…He dug up a lot more than I was expecting.”
“Do you want to talk about it?” I already know what’s in there, but if saying it out loud helps her, I'll listen to every word she says.
“Looks like he found some things after all.” She huffs, but her gaze is fixed on the papers. “My parents… might not be my parents. And my grandparents were… royalty? Which is insane.” A bitter laugh escapes her lips. “The names on my birth certificate belong to an elderly couple, who are 87 and 89 years old. My birthday isn’t my birthday, but I knew that already from the other envelope.”
Her voice breaks on the last word, and I clench my jaw. She deserves the truth, and a hell of a lot more than this mess is.
“Basically, we have more answers, yet somehow know less.” She grips the papers like they might disappear if she lets go. “Cam left a note, though.” Her lips quirk into a shaky smile. “With a smiley face, no less. He says it’sgreat newsbecause it means someone’s hiding something. And, of course, he’s convinced he’ll have answers for me in no time.”
When her watery eyes finally lift to meet mine, it hits me hard. I reach for her, pulling her into my arms.
She clings to me, her pulse frantic against mine. I keep her where she is, refusing to let her go until she's ready.
A sharp, urgent knock cuts through the room. Instinct takes over. I snatch a blanket, throwing it over her, covering every inch before setting her on the couch. Her wide eyes track me as I stride to the door, another blanket wrapped around my hips.
I open the door to find Ren standing there, face tight with unease. Whatever he's here for, it's bad. He knows better than to bother me tonight. His gaze slips once to my bare chest, and I can see the discomfort flashing across his face before he locks it back on mine.
“What is it?” My tone is sharp, as I step into the doorway, blocking Raven from sight. My body's already coiled for whatever comes next.
“Boss, there’s something you need to see.”
I sigh, “Just tell me.” I hear Raven shift on the couch, trying to hear what’s going on.
“Every light outside is broken. Again.”
The words land, and adrenaline spikes in my veins. My eyes cut back to Raven and she's gripping the papers with white knuckles, and her eyes are wide with fear. Wrapped in that blanket, she looks breakable—and it makes me want to tear the world apart for daring to touch her.
I turn back to Ren, tightening my grip on the door. “Check every camera. I want a full sweep of the grounds and every second of footage reviewed. You find out how this happened and who’s responsible. Now.”
“Yes, sir.”
He's gone before I even shut the door. I hear a soft giggle behind me and the sound is so unexpected that it cuts through the storm in my head like a knife. I turn, and catch Raven’s stare. There’s a hint of amusement mixed with the tension in her eyes.
“What’s so funny?”
She shrugs, a smile breaking free. “You answered the door basically naked.”
