keifer pov
When I picked up Keiren, I already knew there was a high chance Hex would be there.
Night Byte's movements are now precise.
Athletic.
Controlled.
Hex moves the same way.
Hex.
Simple equation.
Then I saw him.
Standing near the gate.
Leaning casually.
Too casually.
Avoiding eye contact when he saw me.
Confirmation level: eighty percent.
I called him.
"Hex."
He froze.
Guilty reaction.
Ninety percent.
He got in the car.
Silence was intentional.
I wanted him uncomfortable.
People talk when they're uncomfortable.
He didn't.
Interesting.
So I tested him.
"Nice mask."
Micro-expression.
Jaw tightened.
Eyes shifted.
There it is.
I pushed.
"You're Night Byte."
I didn't ask.
You don't ask when you already know.
You state.
He denied it.
Weak denial.
Then I said, "She told you not to."
His eyes flickered.
There.
One hundred percent.
He didn't protect himself.
He protected her.
That told me everything.
What surprised me?
He didn't lie aggressively.
He didn't try to redirect.
He just said it wasn't his decision.
Meaning it was hers.
Meaning Jay planned everything.
Meaning she trusted him more than she trusted me with that secret.
That stung a little.
Not because I wanted control.
Because I wanted to be included.
I asked why.
He said she didn't want me dragged into it.
That hit harder than I expected.
She was protecting me.
From what?
From danger.
From enemies.
From consequences.
I don't need protection.
But…
The idea that she was worried about me?
That did something to my chest.
Keiren's commentary was unhelpful.
"YOU TWO ARE VIGILANTES?"
I ignored him.
When he mentioned the kiss, I didn't answer.
Because yes.
I kissed her.
And I remember it clearly now.
Not blurry.
Not imagined.
Her lips were warm.
Careful at first.
Then she kissed me back.
She didn't hesitate.
She didn't pull away immediately.
She only pushed me when she realized what was happening.
Meaning she wanted to.
I leaned back in my seat slightly.
Hex smirked at me.
He knows too much.
I don't like that.
But I respect him.
He kept her secret.
Even from me.
That loyalty?
It matters.
So I made it simple.
"We stop lying to each other."
Because I don't care about the business.
Or the masks.
Or the secret identities.
I care about her being safe.
And if she's doing dangerous things?
I'm involved now.
She doesn't get to decide that alone.
As I drove again, I thought about this morning in the hallway.
When she tried to deny it.
When she panicked slightly.
When she admitted she didn't want me dragged into it.
She looked scared.
Not of me.
Of losing something.
Maybe losing me.
That thought stayed.
I glanced at Hex again.
"If anything happens to her…"
He said he'd handle it.
I believe him.
But I also know something he doesn't.
I won't stand behind.
Not anymore.
If she's Luna Byte.
If he's Night Byte.
Then I'm not just some bystander.
And if danger comes?
It won't find her alone.
When I dropped hex off, I checked my phone.
One message from Jay.
Jay:
Stop teasing me in public.
I smiled.
Me:
Make me.
I stared at the screen a little longer.
Then typed something I didn't send.
Don't push me away next time.
Deleted it.
Too soon.
But soon.
Very soon.
Because now I know.
And she knows I know.
And the game?
Just got interesting.