The data chip felt like a live coal in the center of my palm, the ghost of Isabella’s whisper — Ask him what he’s really protecting you from, echoing in the space between Lysander and me.
The moment the penthouse doors closed behind us, I stopped in the middle of the vast living room, the city lights a sprawling, indifferent diamond field below.
“Well?” My voice was unnaturally loud in the hush. I opened my hand, the chip glaring under the recessed lights. “Are we going to watch it? Or are you going to try and throw it out the window?”
He finally turned to look at me, his eyes shadowed. “Elara, you cannot possibly believe anything that woman gives you is presented in good faith.”
“I don’t care about her faith! I care about the truth. Our truth.” I took a step toward him, my heart a fra
