Page 236 of Ruthless Court

Noor squeezes my hand.

“That’s different from being stupid.”

“He followed me to the gym.”

“Yes, which was unhinged.”

“He brought snacks.”

“Strong recovery.”

“He protected my name in the interviews.”

Her eyes sharpen.

“How do you know?”

“I watched the clip this morning. A reporter asked about me. He wouldn’t say who I was.”

“That matters.”

“I know.”

“That’s the problem?”

I lean my head against the shelf.

“Ryan wanted access to my father. Kane already has access to everything.”

“Except you.”

I look at her.

Noor’s expression stays gentle.

“He doesn’t need your name for recruiting. He doesn’t need you to get into rooms. He’s already in them.”

“He needs what I see.”

“Maybe.”

“That could be enough.”

“Or maybe what you see is why he feels understood.”

I hate how close that lands.

The shop cat wanders into the aisle and rubs against my boot. I scratch beneath its chin while considering a life in which I stay here forever and avoid every emotionally complicated man west of Chicago.

Noor leans against the shelf beside me.

“You can be careful without deciding he’s guilty before he does anything.”

“I don’t know how.”

“You start by keeping your own name.”

My phone buzzes inside my coat.