Setting the light on top of the refrigerator so it casts us in a soft glow, he grabs my shoulders, forcing me to look at him. “Listen, Ella. I have a confession. I was going to tell you after the heist, but I think now is the time.”

“Ella?” I whisper, the name reverberating in my brain.

“I know everything, Ella. I know who you are.”

His voice echoes, sounding faraway, and the room spins around me.

“I should have told you sooner—I was the one you were supposed to meet that night—the night you died. You were Faye’s Initiation Heist, but I messed up. And I’ve sworn to protect you ever since. That’s why you’re my partner.”

My stomach twists, and bile burns my throat. “You know everything?” I manage to say, lungs straining for air. Blackness blots the edges of my vision as I try to comprehend.

“Yes. When Crystal realized your potential—that your instincts are unmatched—she knew you didn’t belong in the Influencer world. That’s why she contacted Allard. That’s why you came to Keystone.”

“You’ve known all along…” My lungs heave. “You lied to me…”

He presses his forehead to mine, piercing me with those murky eyes that can only be my undoing. “Stay with me, Ella. I know it’s a lot to process, but I need your help to finish this job. We’re running out of time. You would never have let me near you if I told you the truth. I didn’t want to lie—I only wanted to protect you. Remember, I told you: no matter what happens, you know it in here.” He thumps his hand over my chest.

His hand on my heart gets through to me because I do know it. My instinct is to trust him. The fog lifts, and I know I’ve got to focus. “I don’t know if I can do anything.” I sit on my heels to create distance between us. “My instincts don’t operate on command.”

“Can you try? We don’t have any other choice.”

Trying not to hyperventilate, I slowly nod.

Pushing everything out of my mind—for now—I clutch the tiger’s eye I wear at my throat and inhale deeply.

He watches me like he’s waiting for me to transform into a bird or something.

“Stop looking at me,” I whisper. “You’re distracting.”

“There you are.” Smiling, he exhales in a rush. “Anything you say. Let me know how I can help.”

“Close your eyes and shut up.”

He does as he’s told, but his mouth twitches at the corner.

Shutting my eyes, too, I will my racing heart calm, empty my mind, try to act on instinct alone. We’re alone in a closet… An image of us kissing flashes through my brain, and my eyes fly open, meeting Garrett’s watchful gaze.

“Anything?” he asks.