Lemira slid into the driver's seat, only to realize her feet couldn't even reach the pedals.

Were his legs really that long?

As she fumbled around trying to figure out how to adjust the seat, Orion suddenly leaned in over her, reaching down to slide the chair forward.

With him leaning across her, she was hyper-aware of his sheer size and the heavy, musky scent of his cologne. The proximity was overwhelming.

"I can do it," she said quickly, her voice slightly breathless.

He pulled back and settled into the passenger seat. Watching her firmly grip the steering wheel, a faint, genuine smile tugged at his lips.

After finding the right position, she sat up straight, though driving such a massive car still felt foreign to her.

She glanced at him. "Buckle up."

"I trust your driving," he murmured.

With a smooth press of the accelerator, she pulled out into traffic. The ride was silent.

She focused entirely on the road, not daring to let her attention slip.

After a few minutes, she realized she hadn't asked an important question. "Which hospital?"

"Whichever. If you're in a hurry, the nearest one is fine."

She pressed her lips together. Why didn't he ask to go to the Everhart private hospital?

He would obviously get the absolute best care there.

She didn't say anything, but her mind was already made up.

Watching the route she was taking, Orion quickly realized where they were heading.

A soft, satisfied light flickered in his dark eyes.

In an excellent mood, he rested his uninjured arm on the console, his fingers tapping a light, rhythmic beat.

Soon, the car pulled up to the grand entrance of the Everhart private hospital.

She put it in park and looked at him. "You'll get the best treatment here. Their staff will take care of you."

After all, he was the Everhart heir.

He stepped out of the car and looked back at her. "How are you getting home?"

"I'm grabbing a cab back to Lyria Remand Center to pick up my own car."

Her vehicle was still parked there from when she left with Sebastian earlier.

A sudden, heavy silence fell between them, thick with unresolved tension. "I'm leaving," she finally said.

Orion stood completely still, watching her drive away without another word.

He glanced down at his bleeding arm. The timing of this injury really was perfect. She had always been a soft-hearted woman.

Pulling out his phone, his tone shifted to pure ice. "Look into the Sinclair family's recent activities."

They were almost certainly behind today's ambush.

But he needed to know exactly who was bankrolling them, because the Sinclairs definitely didn't have this kind of power on their own.

Lemira drove back to her university. The entire day had been a chaotic blur of adrenaline.

They had come terrifyingly close to losing everything.

Her phone buzzed. It was Lucian Langston. "Did you secure the evidence?"

"Yes. We had a close call-the Sinclairs almost got to it first."

Lucian sounded immediately anxious. "What happened? Why didn't you call us?"

"What good would that have done? You guys couldn't even handle them before."

Silence hung on the line for a moment. "As long as it's safe. Thank you for handling it."

"Was there anything else?"

"Lemmy, Caspian, Alaric, and Rowan are coming home tonight. If you have time, come have dinner with us."

The news caught her off guard.

Caspian had gone to Rowan to get his face surgically repaired after it was ruined. If he was coming back, did that mean the surgery was success?

She collected her thoughts. "I've cut all ties with the family. Why would I attend your little reunion?"

"Lemmy, what are you saying? We

might have had our issues, but we're still family. We've always stood together when it comes to Mom and Dad. Rowan is coming back specifically for the case."

Her voice was frigid. "That is his duty as their son. It has nothing to do with whether

I eat dinner there or not."