Months of knowing Laurent as a friend followed by weeks as a lover had attuned Damen to the man's many moods as well as his masks. His walls. More importantly, it had attuned him to Laurent's moments of vulnerability, rare as they were. But not so rare as they'd once been.

There was still a chance this was all a ruse, yet another carefully orchestrated betrayal, but Damen couldn't fathom what Laurent would have to gain here aside from simple vengeance. What's more, there was an edge of hurt in the sharp of Laurent's tone.

Damen's frown deepened.

'Did you truly go for a walk?' he asked, his focus solely on Laurent now and not the woman who's wrists he still held. This was not about her. 'Did you leave knowing she was here?'