The Price of the Truth

Kade coughed, blood staining his smirk. Theo didn't loosen his grip.

Evelyn crossed her arms, watching him struggle. "You know, you'd look a lot better unconscious."

Kade chuckled. "You missed me, Carter?"

Evelyn rolled her eyes. "Not even a little."

Theo pressed Kade harder against the wall, his voice low and controlled. "Start talking. Why were you gathering these files?"

Kade smirked, even as his breath hitched. "Wouldn't you like to know?"

Theo's patience was razor-thin. Evelyn could see it in the way his fingers flexed, how his jaw tightened. He wasn't in the mood for games.

"Let me guess," Evelyn said, stepping closer. "You're going to give us some dramatic villain monologue, then try to escape?"

Kade's grin widened. "You always did love my dramatic flair."

Theo had enough.

He twisted Kade's arm behind his back—hard.

Kade grunted, his smirk faltering.

"I'm done playing," Theo said coolly. "Talk, or I'll break it."

Kade's breathing was uneven now. He could tell Theo wasn't bluffing.

After a long pause, he exhaled sharply.

"Fine," Kade muttered. "You want the truth?"

Theo and Evelyn exchanged a glance.

"Start talking," Theo ordered.

Kade chuckled, his voice dropping.

"There's someone bigger than me," he said. "Someone pulling the strings. You think I'm your enemy?" He shook his head. "I'm just the messenger."

Evelyn stiffened.

Theo's grip tightened. "Who?"

Kade smiled, slow and cruel. "Wouldn't you like to know?"

Theo was just about to twist harder when—

Bang.

A shot fired.

Not at them—but near them.

Evelyn and Theo snapped toward the entrance—more men.

Armed men.

Kade laughed.

"Well, looks like we're out of time," he said.

Theo barely had a second to react before Kade jerked forward, slamming his head into Theo's chin.

Theo stumbled back just as Kade slipped away.

"Damn it," Evelyn cursed, already moving.

But Kade was fast. Too fast.

By the time she reached the door, he was already gone.

---

Outside – Minutes Later

Theo was fuming.

Evelyn could see it in the way his hands curled into fists, in the way he refused to look at her.

"He was stalling," she said. "Buying time for his backup to arrive."

Theo exhaled harshly, running a hand through his hair. "We should've seen it coming."

Evelyn watched him carefully. "Theo—"

"I let him slip away." His voice was sharp. "Again."

Evelyn stepped closer. "We'll get him next time."

Theo finally looked at her, something raw in his eyes.

"What if there's no next time?"

Evelyn hesitated.

This wasn't just about Kade.

This was about everything.

Her getting shot. Almost losing her. The unknown threat looming over them.

Theo was trying to act like it didn't affect him, but Evelyn knew better.

Slowly, she reached out—fingers brushing against his wrist.

Just a small touch.

Something to ground him.

Theo froze.

Then, slowly, his hand turned—his fingers brushing against hers.

The tension in his shoulders eased just a little.

Evelyn didn't say anything.

She didn't have to.

---

Later That Night – Evelyn's Apartment

Theo sat on the couch, silent.

Evelyn brought over two mugs of coffee, setting one in front of him.

"You're quiet," she said, sitting across from him.

Theo exhaled, running a hand through his hair. "I'm thinking."

"That's dangerous."

A small smirk tugged at his lips, but it faded quickly.

Evelyn studied him. "You blame yourself."

Theo's jaw clenched.

Evelyn sighed, shifting forward. "Listen, I know you. You're probably replaying every second of tonight, thinking of all the ways you could've stopped him. But you're not a superhero, Theo."

His eyes lifted to hers.

Evelyn tilted her head. "You're annoyingly capable, ridiculously arrogant, and infuriatingly good at what you do, but even you can't control everything."

Theo huffed a quiet laugh, shaking his head. "You're not great at pep talks, Carter."

Evelyn grinned. "Nope. But I'm right."

Theo looked at her for a long moment.

Then, finally, he sighed.

And relaxed.

Just a little.

Evelyn smirked, nudging his foot with hers. "See? Progress."

Theo rolled his eyes but didn't move his foot away.

Evelyn sipped her coffee, content.

They still had a long way to go.

But for now—this was enough.

End of Chapter 37