Alex waited until Troy left the house.
It took most of the morning. Troy had a meeting across town with Paxton and two analysts from the partnership team. He stood in Alex’s doorway before he went, keys in hand, and looked at him for a long moment.
“You’ll be here when I get back.”
Alex was at the desk with his laptop open. “I’ll be in the house or on campus. I’m not disappearing.”
Troy’s jaw tightened like he wanted a stricter answer. He didn’t push it. “Text if you leave.”
“I will.”
The front door closed a few minutes later. Alex sat still until the sound of the car faded down the driveway. Then he picked up his phone and opened the thread with Stolas.
**Alex:**
I can talk today. Not at the house.
The reply came within a minute.
**Stolas:**
Campus. Old side of the library. T
