Chapter 460

As I stepped out of the holding room, Steve's desperate shouts were still ringing in my ears.

Jace wasn't wrong—Steve's emotions were a mess. One second he was frantic, the next totally defeated. But his last words stuck with me the most: "Rea, I can't stay here. I'm innocent."

It broke my heart.

The moment I stepped outside, Jace was already heading my way. He took one look at me and reached out, steadying me. "You look pale. Did Steve say something?"

Thinking about Steve's warning, I said, "Let's get in the car. I'll explain on the way."

Steve had told me to leave as soon as possible, and I got why—Quartz Cue probably had eyes on us. He was scared someone would see me, and I'd be next in line for trouble.

Jace rushed me into the car, handing me a bottle of water. "Take a second."

I ignored the water and said, "Steve says he's being framed." I ran through everything Steve had told me, ending with, "He said these people are ruthless. We might not be safe here either—"

Before I