Chapter 54. Just Us

S:

I step out of the conference room. The air outside is cleaner. Colder. But it does nothing to cool the heat simmering in my head.

One wrong move and all of this goes to hell. I won’t allow it.

Kieran is already at the elevator, barking instructions into his comms.

“We need heat scanners on every crate. Use the portable gates, not the hand-helds. I want the seals double-checked. If I see one crack or misalignment—”

He sees me and hangs up.

“You sure you’re okay to come?” he asks, walking beside me. “I can handle the floor.”

“I need to see it for myself,” I mutter.

We step into the elevator. Metal doors shut.

He exhales sharply. “You’re different when she’s involved.”

“I’m not here to talk about Rae.”

“I didn’t say her name.”

I glance at him, deadpan.

He smirks. “You didn’t deny it either.”

The elevator opens into the underground loading dock. The air shifts. Heavy with oil, sweat, and tension. The