Adrian’s POVI felt Elias shove at my chest the second his mother’s voice drifted down the stairs again. I didn’t move right away. My thumb stayed against his jaw for one extra beat, just long enough to remind both of us I could keep him there if I wanted. Then I stepped back, wiped my mouth, and forced my face into something calm.“Answer her,” I said under my breath.He cleared his throat like it hurt. “Just a teammate, Mom. Stay upstairs, I’ll bring the tea in a minute.”Floorboards creaked. She was coming down anyway.I glanced at the staircase, then at him. “You going to introduce me, or should I do it myself?”“Don’t—”Too late. Mrs. Kane appeared at the bottom of the stairs in a faded blue robe, one hand on the banister. She looked fragile, but her eyes were sharp when they landed on me.“Elias?” she asked. “Who is this?”Elias opened his mouth and nothing useful came out. Typical.I stepped forward first, voice low and careful, every sharp edge from the alley and the kiss file
Last Updated : 2026-09-17 Read more