Chapter 170

Lauren's POV

“Alright then, we’ll be taking our leave.” Roman stood, voice even and businesslike, as we both rose to our feet. I wrapped my fingers around the laptop Jeff had passed to me and carried it at my side, the machine a warm, solid weight that felt steadier than my stomach.

Jeff extended a hand and Roman shook it. “Thanks for the help,” Roman said, earnest. There was no performance in it just a quiet appreciation that made my throat lift with gratitude for the man who’d opened that door for me.

“You know you can always count on me,” Jeff replied, easy and sincere.

“Thank you, really. I wouldn’t forget this. It’s been of great help.” I tucked a strand of hair behind my ear and tried to adopt a tone as casual as theirs. Inside, the adrenaline from what we’d just done was still humming — a steady, dangerous undercurrent. We’d gathered a thread of truth tonight, and it felt like we’d already tied one end to the place where we could pull.