Jasmine's POV
The night air still smelled like burnt rubber and salt. The boardwalk was almost empty now… police lights flashing faintly at a distance.
Leonard had already gone, chasing whatever lead he thought he could find. Ares and I stood by his car in silence, the cool breeze lifting strands of my hair that still smelled faintly of smoke.
He looked different in this light… calm, yet still wired with the same quiet intensity that used to unnerve me. His hand was bruised from the fight earlier, but he hadn't said a word about it.
I finally broke the silence.
"Are you going to keep pretending that didn't happen?"
He glanced at me. "The biker? Or the part where you nearly got yourself killed?"
My jaw tightened. "Both, apparently."
He exhaled slowly, running a hand through his hair. "You shouldn't have come here alone, Jasmine. Whoever's behind this…"
"Don't start that." I cut in, folding my arms. "I didn't need saving."
