Noah tossed a wrench into the toolbox with a loud clank.
"Appreciate you doing this, man," he said, wiping sweat from his forehead as they stood in the garage. "The shop's needed a security upgrade for years, but after that break-in across town? I'm not taking chances."
Jace gave a nod, barely listening. His mind was still in the hallway. Still on her face.
Savannah.
Every second under the same roof was unraveling his restraint.
"You staying long?" Noah asked.
"Couple weeks. Depends on how fast we get it done."
Noah set the toolbox down and leaned against the workbench. "While you're here…" He hesitated. "Keep an eye on her?"
Jace looked up. "Savannah?"
"Yeah. She won't admit it, but that breakup messed her up. She acts like she's fine, but I know my sister. She doesn't let people in easy. And now she's back here, looking lost as hell. I just - " He shook his head. "You know how it is. I need to know someone's got her back."
Jace's stomach turned.
He hated lying to Noah. Hated that every look, every breath around Savannah felt like a betrayal.
But he couldn't say no.
Couldn't say why he should.
So he just nodded again. "I'll watch out for her."
Savannah stood outside the kitchen, frozen.
She hadn't meant to eavesdrop. She was coming in for water, not emotional gut punches.
Keep an eye on her.
God, it was humiliating.
She stormed back into the hallway, fingers clenched tight at her sides, and waited. It didn't take long before Jace followed her inside.
She didn't even let him speak.
"Let me get this straight," she said, spinning around. "You're here to babysit me now?"
Jace stiffened. "What?"
"Don't play dumb, Carter. I heard you and my brother. You're supposed to 'keep an eye on me' while I try to glue the pieces of my life back together, is that it?"
His jaw tensed. "It's not like that."
"No? Then what is it? Pity? Guilt? Or do you just get off on watching me fall apart from a distance?"
"That's not fair."
"No, what's not fair is that you're standing there acting like you haven't been avoiding me for years, and now suddenly you're my bodyguard."
He stepped closer, eyes flashing. "You think this is easy for me?"
"You mean resisting the urge to pat me on the head like a good little girl? Must be exhausting."
"You're not a little girl," he growled.
She lifted her chin. "Then stop treating me like one."
They stared at each other. Breathing hard. Neither backing down.
And then she said it - quiet, but sharp enough to cut:
"Or maybe the truth is, you're scared. Scared that if you stop pretending I'm untouchable… you'll finally admit you want me."
His nostrils flared.
But he didn't deny it.
Didn't move.
Didn't breathe.
And that silence said more than any answer ever could.