Luna let the sound of the shower running in the other room soothe the chaos in her head. The tension with Killian earlier still clung to her like a second skin, making it hard to breathe. She had spent the last ten minutes pacing the bedroom, trying to shake off the confusion Adrian had stirred in her and the way Killian had looked at her—like she was still his to protect. Like she still mattered to him in ways he refused to admit.
She hated it. Hated how her heart wavered between resentment and something far more dangerous.
A sharp knock on the bedroom door startled her, and she turned just as Killian stepped inside, hair still damp from his shower, wearing a loose shirt and sweatpants. The casual look did nothing to soften the steel in his gaze.
"We need to talk," he said simply.
Luna folded her arms. "We already did."
Killian let out a slow breath. "Not enough."
She scoffed. "You never wanted to talk before. Why now?"
His jaw tensed. "Because this isn't just about us anymore. It's about Adrian."
Luna's fingers curled against her arms. "And what about him? You think I don't know how dangerous he is? You think I don't remember—"
"That's exactly what I think," Killian cut in, stepping closer. "You remember too much. And I think it's messing with your head."
Luna clenched her jaw. "You don't get to decide what messes with me, Killian."
For a second, neither of them spoke. The air between them stretched tight, like a fragile thread ready to snap. Finally, Killian exhaled and ran a hand through his hair. "I'm not trying to decide anything for you. I just… I need to know where you stand."
Luna's lips parted, but before she could answer, the doorbell rang downstairs.
She frowned. "Who would come here this late?"
Killian's eyes darkened. "Stay here."
She rolled her eyes. "I can answer my own door, Killian."
"Luna." His voice held a warning, but she was already moving past him, making her way downstairs. Killian followed close behind.
When she swung the door open, her breath caught in her throat. Standing on the doorstep, looking as flawless as ever in a sleek black dress, was Celeste Monroe—Killian's ex-fiancée.
Luna's stomach twisted. She had almost forgotten how effortlessly beautiful Celeste was—how her presence always had a way of making Luna feel… small.
Celeste's red lips curved into a knowing smile. "Well, well. This is a surprise. I wasn't expecting to see you here, Luna."
Luna gripped the door handle tighter. "What are you doing here?"
"She's here because of me," Killian answered before Celeste could. His voice was unreadable, but Luna knew him well enough to hear the edge beneath it.
Celeste's gaze flicked to Killian, then back to Luna. "I wanted to speak with you both, actually."
Luna narrowed her eyes. "About what?"
Celeste's smile didn't falter. "May I come in?"
Killian hesitated for only a second before nodding. "Five minutes."
Luna stepped aside stiffly, arms still folded as Celeste sauntered inside like she belonged there.
The moment the door shut, Celeste turned to face them, her expression sobering. "I came to warn you. About Adrian."
Luna and Killian exchanged a look.
Celeste continued, "He approached me two weeks ago. He wanted information about Killian—about you both. He acted like it was casual, but I know when someone is digging for something more."
Luna swallowed hard. "And what did you tell him?"
Celeste's smile was humorless. "Nothing. I have no reason to help Adrian."
Killian crossed his arms. "But you have a reason to help us?"
Celeste's eyes met his, something unreadable flickering there. "You may not believe me, but yes. Whatever Adrian is planning, it won't just hurt you, Killian. It'll hurt Luna, too. And despite everything, I don't want that."
Luna stared at her, trying to decipher whether there was truth behind her words. She and Celeste had never been friends, but they had never been outright enemies either. The problem was, Luna had learned a long time ago that people like Celeste didn't do anything without an ulterior motive.
Killian studied Celeste for a long moment before nodding. "We'll handle Adrian."
Celeste sighed. "Just… be careful."
She turned to leave, but just as she reached the door, she paused, glancing back at Luna. "And Luna? Don't let him push you away. He does that when he cares."
Luna's breath caught, but before she could respond, Celeste was gone, the sound of her heels fading into the night.
She turned to Killian, eyes sharp. "What the hell was that?"
Killian sighed, rubbing his temple. "A distraction. That's what Celeste does best."
Luna shook her head. "No, Killian. She was warning us."
Killian met her gaze. "And that's exactly what worries me the most."
For a moment, neither of them spoke, both lost in thoughts of a past that never stopped haunting them. The storm wasn't over—it was just beginning.