Chapter 20

Fixed the computronic fault in your oven before work today. I demand mocha cupcakes with chocolate icing as payment.

—Message from Hugo Sorensen to Kaia Luna

“YOUR SUBJECT’S FALLEN asleep,” Kaia murmured to Attie, her gaze on Bowen’s face. Not relaxed, even now. But perhaps a touch less hard. “Do you want me to wake him?” It was a reluctant question; he needed the rest.

Day one out of a coma and Bowen Knight already made more demands on himself than any man she’d ever met. Even asleep, he had a drive and an unrelenting focus to him that was a silent storm.

“No,” Atalina said absently. “I have the scans I needed with his eyes open. The rest will go more smoothly while he’s asleep.”

“He won’t be happy when he wakes.” A stark rush of unexpected affection had her brushing her fingers over his hair again. She wondered if he ever truly rested when at full strength, or if he rode himself brutally hard day in and day out.

Kaia knew the answer, had read it in the relentless lines of his face. “I think I’ll make some blackberry pies,” she murmured as Attie continued to stare at the large screen on the wall beyond which lay Bowen’s room, her attention on the intricate mapping of his brain.

“You know that’s not my favorite,” her cousin muttered five minutes later. “I like cherry.”

But Kaia was still going to make blackberry. Bowen’s sister had thrust the list of Bowen’s favorite foods into Kaia’s hand on the day of the kidnapping, a hopeful desperation in her eyes.

And though Hugo’s assertions had been loud in her head, Kaia had carefully saved the list. Just in case Lily’s brother woke up. Only he wasn’t simply that any longer. He was Bowen Knight, a dangerously compelling man and security chief in forced exile.

“Attie.”

“Hmm?”

“Do you ever think about what Hugo said?” Kaia’s mind remained in tumult, caught between the evidence gathered by her closest childhood friend—and the reality of a man who burned with honor. “The things I told you.” Atalina and Hugo weren’t close, never spent any time together except when Kaia was holding a get-together and had invited them both.

Attie took a minute to set up the next scan before she sighed and came to sit in her computer chair, turning it so she faced Kaia. “You know what I think of Hugo.”

“I agree he’s not the most reliable person.” Hugo wasn’t the friend you’d call if you needed someone around at a particular time. “But he’s always been very clever with comms.”

“Yes,” Atalina agreed. “He’s capable of having hacked into the information exactly as he said, but . . . Kaia, I know you adore Hugo, but why would he make the effort? He’s one of the most self-centered people I’ve had the misfortune to meet.”

“He is not.” Kaia folded her arms. “He spent hours searching for the exact spice I wanted that time he went to the markets in Mumbai. And he built three different mazes for Hex.” Those were just two recent examples of his generosity—Hugo had been there for her since they’d first met as children.

Even while traveling with her parents, Kaia had commed with Hugo regularly.

Atalina rubbed her hand over the hard curve of her belly. “You’re right—he’s different with you. You bring out the best in him.” She got up, stretched out her back. “Which is why I do think about the dossier.” A lingering glance at Bowen. “Hugo might be a poker-addicted screwup, but he’s never involved you in anything questionable.”

Though Atalina wasn’t the most empathic of people, her brain more scientifically wired, she met Kaia’s gaze and said, “I can’t tell you if you can trust a word out of Bowen’s mouth, Cookie.” The old childhood nickname fell easily from her lips. “What I can tell you is that any decision you make, you need to make quickly.”

Because the countdown in Bowen’s brain wouldn’t pause to give her time to sort through her confusion. “I hate this.” It came out harsh, rough. “Why now? Why him?”

Atalina smiled softly at her, not misunderstanding her questions. “Even I know we don’t get to choose.” Smile fading, she said, “But take care of that soft heart of yours, Kaia. Right now, Bowen can guarantee you nothing but fourteen more days.”

Hearing the ring of a tinny bell, Kaia went over and rescued Hex from the maze. His little heart was thumping, but she knew it wasn’t in fear. He was a stubborn mouse determined to figure out the maze.

As stubborn as the man who’d thrown Kaia’s world into chaos.

After taking a minute to pet Hex, she slipped him into a pocket of her dress . . . and returned to stand near Bowen.