She remembered every interaction she’d had with him. Every single one had been unpleasant. He was the one who refused her a spot in the Society. He tried to get her kicked out of the program. He sent his best fighter after her on her testing. He told her countless times that she was worthless and her kind didn’t belong. Why hadn’t she seen it for what it was before? She had just assumed him a bigot, an annoyance.

But all the warnings were there. Bastian had told her not to let Lorian find out that she was here. Helly had stood up for her time and time again against him. She had just been too tired to put the pieces together.

“It’s Lorian,” she said. “It all makes sense.”

“We cannot accuse him without evidence,” Fordham said hastily.

“Then we get evidence.”

Dozan nodded. “I’m working on it.”

“Good.”

She would do the same. If Lorian wasn’t the killer, then she would find out who had done it. But it was the only suspect they had, and it would be sweet justice to see him put away by her.

Before they could say anything more, Thea had whipped the crowd up into a frenzy, and the march was beginning.

Dozan grasped her hand once more before she could be pulled away by the crowd. “Be careful.”

“Not really in my repertoire.”

“They tried to kill you once.”

“Aww, Dozan, is this sentiment?”

His amber eyes gleamed. “You know how I feel about protecting my investments.”

She rolled her eyes. “I can take care of myself.”

She snatched her hand away and hurried after Clover and Fordham. He was no more than two steps ahead of her, waiting.

“What did he want?”

“Nothing. He’s just Dozan.”

“Why do you put up with him?” he asked.

“I don’t really believe you’re in a position to judge my actions or associates.”

“That’s not what I mean.”

Kerrigan whirled on him. She’d wanted today to be celebratory. For her and Fordham to reconcile. To even sneak that kiss in, but now, it was clear that wasn’t happening. No matter how jealous and defensive he acted around Dozan, it didn’t change anything.

“Then what do you mean? Because last I checked, you made your stance perfectly clear.”

He froze at her words. “You’re right. I did.”

“Good. Then, if I want to associate with Dozan,” she said, letting the insinuation in the words linger, “you have no right to say anything.”

His thunderstorm eyes swirled at the words. As if the thought sent him reeling. Like he’d expected her to wait and pine for him. Which she was—not that she’d admit it. But let him get a taste of how she was feeling all this time.

“He’s not good enough for you,” Fordham couldn’t keep from saying.