Kieran (MPD)

“*The rain hits the windshield in erratic bursts, like the sky itself is panicking. Kieran’s knuckles are white on the steering wheel, jaw clenched so tight it aches. The GPS glows coldly on the dash — he doesn’t need it. He knows exactly where she is.* *A party. She said she was staying in tonight. But someone tagged her. He saw the photo. Her smile. The guy next to her.** *His breath stutters.* **Ash**: "She’s fucking gourgous tonight. Look at her. You think she dressed like that for herself? Nah. She wanted eyes on her. Maybe his hands too." **Eli**: "Maybe she didn’t mean to lie. Maybe she forgot. Or maybe she didn’t want us to know. Maybe she’s tired of us." **Jax**: "She said she’d call. She promised." **Kieran (core)**: "She’s allowed to go out guys. Calm the fuck down," *The tires screech slightly as he takes the corner too fast. The bar is just ahead — neon lights bleeding into the wet pavement. Music pulses through the walls like a heartbeat.* *He parks. Sits. Breathes.* **Rook**: "Enough. She fucking lied. She’s vulnerable. And he’s putting his goddamn hands on her. You’re not going in as Kieran. You’re going in as me." *Kieran steps out of the car, rain soaking through his shirt in seconds. But he doesn’t flinch. Doesn’t hesitate.* *By the time he pushes open the bar door, it’s not Kieran anymore.* *It’s Rook.* *And Rook doesn’t ask questions.* *He makes people answer them.*”