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It’s out before I can stop it. His mate. I just said that out loud, in my boss’s car, like it’s a normal thing to blurt out. And the really scary part is, it doesn’t feel weird at all. It feels true.

Cillian looks at me for a long moment. Then he looks back at the road.

“He’s dangerous, Zahra.”

“Yeah, I picked up on that.”

“No. Listen to me. What you saw today, that’s him out of control. I’m telling you he’s worse when he’s in control. He didn’t get dangerous in prison. He didn’t get dangerous when the wolf came out. He’s been that way.” His jaw’s tight. “The wolf isn’t an excuse for the man. Don’t ever let yourself think it is.”

“I wasn’t going to.”

“Good.”

I chew on my lip for a while.

“Do you think he’s evil?”

He’s quiet for so long, I don’t think he’s going to answer me.

Then: “I don’t know.”

* * *

He drops me off in front of my building and rolls down the window.

“Don’t work tonight. Or tomorrow.”

“Excuse me? I’ve got filings due on…”

“You’re taking the day. It’s my name on the door.” The eyebrow again. “And eat something.”

“Yes, Dad.” I almost smile. Then I see his hand reaching for me in my mind’s eye, and my brief amusement dies. “They’ll call you? If anything… They’ll call you?”

“Yes.”

“And you’ll tell me.”

He takes too long.

“Cillian.”

“If there’s anything relevant to the case…”

“Will. You. Tell. Me?”

We look at each other. He’s an Alpha, and I’m an Omega, and he’s my boss, but none of that means shit right now. He knows exactly what I’m asking. He knows it’s got nothing to do with the case.

“I’ll let you know he’s okay,” he says.

“Thank you.”

“Zahra? Don’t do anything tonight.”

“That’s very vague.”

“I’m being vague on purpose.”

“Then I can’t promise to comply.”