The air was thick with tension, the weight of the night still lingering as they sat in the car, parked near the empty docks. The ocean waves crashed against the shore, a rhythmic hum against the silence between them.
Ethan had left a while ago, giving them space—though Evelyn wasn't sure if it was intentional or if he simply knew when to disappear.
Theo sat beside her, one hand on the steering wheel, the other resting on his knee. His usual composed demeanor was cracked, frustration simmering beneath the surface.
Evelyn exhaled, tilting her head against the seat. "You're thinking too much."
Theo's jaw clenched slightly. "And you're not thinking enough."
She smirked. "That's what you're here for."
His lips twitched, but he shook his head. "Luca's dead, and all we got from him was a cryptic warning. That's not enough."
Evelyn turned in her seat, watching him. "We'll figure it out."
Theo let out a breath, rubbing a hand over his face. "You always say that."
"Because it's true."
For a moment, he just stared at her, something unreadable in his eyes. Then, in a quiet voice, he said, "You almost got shot back there."
She blinked, caught off guard by the softness in his tone.
"That's not new, Theo."
He didn't look amused. "That doesn't make it any easier."
Evelyn hesitated, then reached over, her fingers gently brushing against his hand.
Theo's fingers curled slightly, but he didn't pull away.
Instead, he turned his hand over, letting their palms rest against each other.
The warmth of his touch was grounding.
"You're always so reckless," he muttered, shaking his head.
"And you're always so careful," she shot back. "Maybe that's why we work."
Theo's gaze flickered to her lips for a fraction of a second before he looked away, his grip tightening just slightly.
Evelyn's heartbeat stuttered.
For all the times they had been close, this—this moment, where neither of them spoke, where their hands remained tangled together—felt like a different kind of dangerous.
And she wasn't sure if she wanted to escape it.
---
The Morning After
Evelyn woke up to the scent of coffee.
She blinked, momentarily disoriented.
They had ended up in a safe house after leaving the docks, exhaustion pulling them under as soon as they arrived.
Now, sunlight streamed through the blinds, casting a golden hue across the room.
Theo stood by the kitchen counter, dressed in a black shirt and sweatpants, his sleeves rolled up as he poured coffee into two mugs.
Evelyn stretched, her muscles aching from the events of the night before. "You're up early."
Theo glanced at her. "Couldn't sleep."
She hummed, getting up and walking toward him. "That makes two of us."
He handed her a mug, his fingers brushing hers for a fleeting second.
Evelyn took a sip, sighing in contentment. "You actually make good coffee. I'm impressed."
Theo smirked. "I have hidden talents."
She raised a brow. "Oh? Like what?"
He leaned against the counter, crossing his arms. "Wouldn't you like to know?"
Evelyn rolled her eyes but smiled.
A comfortable silence settled between them.
Then, quietly, Theo said, "You should be more careful."
Evelyn looked up, meeting his gaze. "And you should stop acting like I'm something fragile."
His jaw tightened. "You're not."
"Then stop looking at me like I might break."
Theo exhaled sharply, his fingers tapping against his mug. "I don't—" He paused, then sighed. "I just—"
Evelyn tilted her head. "You just what?"
He hesitated.
Then, without a word, he reached out and tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear.
Evelyn stilled.
It was such a simple gesture, yet it sent a shiver down her spine.
His fingers lingered for a second too long before he pulled back, his expression unreadable.
Evelyn swallowed. "Theo—"
A knock at the door interrupted them.
The moment shattered.
Theo straightened, his entire demeanor shifting back to business.
Evelyn exhaled, pushing away whatever had just happened between them.
It would have to wait.
Because trouble was always waiting.
And this time, it had found them again.
End of Chapter 30