Bella’s eyes widened. She took the bag carefully, like it was made of glass, and pulled the ribbon loose. The bow ca undone with a soft whisper, and she opened the bag.
Inside, nestled in tissue paper, was a chocolate pastry.
Not a single slice. Two.
Perfectly golden, with layers of flaky crust and rich, dark chocolate drizzled across the top. The sll hit her imdiately: warm, buttery, impossibly sweet. She could see the chocolate peeking out from the sides, thick and glossy, promising sothing decadent.
"Yay!" she squealed, clutching the bag to her chest. She looked up at him, her face glowing. "You’re the best. The absolute best."
Leo shrugged, but his eyes were soft. "Eat before it lts."
The car pulled away from the curb. Assistant Three drove smoothly, his eyes fixed on the road. Bella lifted one of the pastries out of the bag, her fingers trembling slightly with anticipation.
The crust was golden brown, dusted lightly with powdered sugar. She could see the layers, dozens of thin, buttery sheets, flaking at the edges. The chocolate filling was dark, almost black, rich and glossy, spilling slightly from the sides. A drizzle of chocolate glaze covered the top, swirling in elegant patterns.
She bit into it.
Her eyes fluttered closed.
The crust shattered against her teeth, sending flakes of buttery pastry across her lips. The chocolate was warm and slightly lted, coating her tongue in a wave of rich, bittersweet flavor. It was creamy and dark and just sweet enough, with hints of vanilla and sothing deeper, sothing almost like coffee.
She moaned softly.
Leo watched her, his expression amused. "Good?"
Bella nodded, her mouth too full to speak. She took another bite, then another, the pastry disappearing quickly. The chocolate left a sar on her lips, and she licked it off, not caring if she looked ridiculous.
Leo reached over and wiped a bit of chocolate from the corner of her mouth with his thumb. His touch was gentle and lingering.
"You have so," he said.
She smiled at him, her cheeks warm. "Thank you. For waiting. For the pastry. For everything."
He tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. "Always."
She held out the second pastry to him. "Here. You have so too."
"I bought them for you."
"And I’m sharing with you." She pushed it toward his mouth. "Eat."
He raised an eyebrow but took a bite, his lips brushing her fingers. His eyes stayed on hers as he chewed, slow and deliberate.
"Good?" she asked.
He swallowed. "Not as sweet as you."
She blushed and looked down at the remaining pastry, breaking off a piece and popping it into her mouth.
The car drove on, the city passing by outside. The chocolate lted on her tongue, sweet and rich and perfect.
anwhile, Jay sat across from Dom, a half smile playing on his lips. The afternoon light filtered through the curtains, casting long shadows across the living room floor. On the couch beside him, Jace was sitting with his face buried in his hands, elbows on his knees, looking like he was trying to process sothing his brain refused to accept.
"So," Jay said, drawing the word out, "you’re from Umbra?"
Dom nodded, his eyes drifting toward the bowl of fruit on the coffee table. A banana. He really wanted that banana. Also an apple. Maybe both.
"Do you know," Jay continued, leaning forward, "that the assassin we found that day, the one in the garden, was targeting you? Not Hazel. You."
Dom’s hand froze halfway to the banana. His head snapped up. "?"
Jay nodded, his expression serious. "You."
Dom stared at him. His mouth opened. Closed. Opened again. "Why would anyone want to kill ? I’m charming. I’m likable. I return my library books on ti."
Jace made a sound behind his hands. It might have been a laugh. It might have been a sob.
"This isn’t a joke, Dom," Jay said.
"I’m not joking. I’m genuinely confused. I’ve been a model citizen. I pay my taxes. I wave at my neighbors. I once helped an old lady cross the street, and she wasn’t even trying to cross. She was just standing there. I made her cross."
"That’s not helping."
"She looked bored."
Jay pinched the bridge of his nose. "Focus."
"I am focused." Dom picked up the banana. "I’m very focused. I’m focusing on this banana and on the fact that soone tried to kill and on the fact that you’re telling it wasn’t because of my cooking."
"Your cooking is fine."
"My cooking is excellent. Jason said so."
"Jason once ate cereal with water because he was out of milk. His opinion doesn’t count."
Dom paused. "That’s fair."
Jace lowered his hands, his eyes wide, watching the exchange like a tennis match.
"So," Jay said, his voice dropping, "stop acting and tell us the truth. The real truth. Because if you’re being targeted, we need to know why. And if soone’s after you..." He paused, his voice dropping further. "Who knows if Jason will be targeted too? He’s your best friend. He’s connected to you."
Dom’s face went pale. The banana lowered slowly to his lap.
"Jason," he whispered.
"If they wanted to hurt you, they could hurt him too. To get to you."
Dom’s grip tightened on the banana. "Jason doesn’t know anything. He’s not part of this. He’s just Jason. He drives cars fast and eats my food and leaves his socks everywhere."
"Which makes him easy to find."
The room was quiet. Jace shifted on the couch, his eyes moving between them.
Dom looked down at the banana in his hand. Then back at Jay. Then at the banana.
"Can I eat this first?" he asked. "I feel like I need the potassium."
Jay stared at him. "You’re being told that soone wants you dead, and your biggest concern is potassium?"
"Potassium is important for heart health. And my heart is already stressed. So yes."
Jace let out a breath that might have been a laugh. Jay shook his head, but the corner of his mouth twitched.
"Fine," Jay said. "Eat your banana."
Dom peeled it slowly, deliberately, like he was performing a ritual. He took a bite. Chewed. Swallowed. Took another bite. Chewed. Swallowed.
"Are you done?" Jay asked.
"I’m savoring."
"You’re stalling."
"I’m doing both." Dom finished the banana, set the peel on the coffee table, and took a breath. "Okay. I’m ready."
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