Chapter 83

Jaden

“It might not take too long,” he says, his voice steady but thoughtful. “We have a date and a rough timeline. I can start with the section closest to where we left off and expand if I don’t find anything.” He takes another sip of his amber-coloured beer, the glass cool in his hand.

Pax moves to the cupboard and pulls out three large ceramic plates, their surfaces gleaming under the kitchen lights. He arranges them on the granite countertop with precision. With practiced ease, he divides up a fresh salad, golden fries that look crispy and seasoned, and juicy steaks cooked to perfection. Each plate gets an equal share, the combination making our mouths water.

He hands each of us a plate; the aroma wafting up and filling the room with savoury smells. Pax then reaches into the stainless steel fridge and grabs another cold beer for himself before settling down at the end of the breakfast bar. He twists off the cap with a practiced flick of his wrist and settles onto a stool at the en