Page 26 of Break Me

He studies the leaf like it holds answers I shouldn’t have given him. Slowly, his gaze lifts to mine. “Interesting place to find one of these,” he says quietly.

My throat goes tight. “The wind’s crazy outside.”

He holds my gaze.

Unblinking.

Unmoving.

Unconvinced.

“You were asking about Wolf this morning,” he says, voice too casual to actually be casual. “Any chance you two ran into each other today?”

“No.” The lie comes too fast.

His brows lift a fraction. “It’s dangerous out near Miller’s land.” His voice is eerily calm. “Too many old buildings that are ready to fall apart. Wouldn’t want you getting hurt.”

My pulse punches against my ribs.

He knows.

But he doesn’t press. Doesn’t accuse.

“It’s not safe for you to be wandering off by yourself,” he says. There’s no anger in it, just concern thick enough to choke on. “Not with everything the club’s dealing with right now.”

My stomach twists. “I wasn’t⁠—”

He cuts me off with a look. “If you need to go somewhere, you tell me. Or Knox.” His eyes soften in that way he reserves for me and me alone. “Be smart, Raven.”

I nod because it’s the only thing I can do. Because if I speak, the lie will shatter.

Dad sets the leaf on the table like he’s setting down evidence.

“Go on,” he says, leaning back in his chair.

But even as I turn toward the stairs, I can feel his gaze on me—quiet, suspicious, patient.

Dad never pushes. He waits and watches, piecing things together one detail at a time.

By the time I reach my room and shut the door behind me, my pulse is thudding in my ears, and a tight, uneasy knot coils in my stomach.

I sit on the edge of my bed, my hands trembling just enough to make my phone slip when I unlock it.

ME: Did you see anything weird when you were leaving? Like footprints or any sign that someone was nearby?

I stare at the message on the screen, chewing my lip, then hit send before I lose my nerve.

The three dots appear immediately.

SAMUEL: Why? What happened?

My stomach twists.

ME: Just answer me. Please.

SAMUEL: Just the normal shit. Why are you asking? Are you alright?

My throat tightens.