Chapter 30: The Walls Between Us
Leo sat on the edge of the bed, knees pulled to his chest, watching Kieran pace.
He hadn't spoken in minutes.
Not since the call came.
Not since he heard Rael's voice on the other end—distorted but unmistakable.
Kieran... tell me something. Does he make you feel safer than I did? Or just softer?
---
Kieran's fists clenched as he paced.
Leo finally spoke. "You're shutting me out again."
"I'm protecting you."
"No, you're hiding."
Kieran stopped. His face—usually so calm—cracked with exhaustion and fire.
"He's not going to stop, Leo. He knows where you live. Where you go. Who you are."
Leo stood. "Then don't keep me in the dark. Let me fight beside you."
"You're not like me!" Kieran snapped. "You don't know what it takes to survive someone like Rael."
"I know what it takes to love someone like you," Leo said, voice shaking. "And I'm still here, aren't I?"
Kieran stepped closer, grabbed Leo's face—gently, desperately.
"You don't get it. I'm scared I'll become the monster he wants me to be."
Leo leaned in, forehead pressed to his. "Then let me be your anchor. Not your cage."
Kieran exhaled, trembling.
And kissed him again—slower this time. Like he was afraid this might be the last.
---
Outside, across the street, a phone clicked off.
Rael stood in a rain-slick hoodie, eyes dark.
"He's slipping," he muttered. "Good."
Then he whispered to the device in his hand:
"Release the footage. Let the world see who their golden boy really is."