Julian’s POV
My office felt way too small tonight, like the walls were closing in on me slow and steady. The air hung heavy, thick enough that every breath I took seemed shallow, not quite enough to fill my lungs. The only light came from the laptop screen, this cold blue glow washing over my face. Outside the windows, the city was nothing but darkness, quiet and indifferent.
I kept scrolling through Hale’s files, over and over, like if I stared hard enough, something would jump out at me. Every line I read twisted in my gut, sharp as broken glass. Bella had gotten these for me—risked everything, slipping them right out from under Hale’s nose, from his bed, his phone, his stupid blind trust. And still... nothing solid yet. Nothing big enough to finally bury Leon for good.
I needed more.
