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At dawn, Lucian confronts Nash at the station, demanding progress on the frozen rats left at Sloane’s door. Nash reports they were feeder rats, with canvassing underway and no purchase leads. He offers two theories: a personal grudge against Sloane or retaliation linked to Lucian’s enemies noticing their closeness, possibly Anthony Hugo.

Lucian privately blames himself for drawing danger to Sloane and goes stone-still, deciding distance might protect her. Nash challenges him, accusing Lucian of running from his feelings and responsibility. When Nash connects Sloane’s past wrist injury to Ansel Rollins and Lucian’s incarceration that night, Lucian shuts down and leaves, demanding Sloane’s safety.

Back at Lucian’s home, Sloane, relaxed and affectionate, is blindsided when Lucian abruptly tells her to leave. Their argument revisits the past: Sloane defends calling the police then, accepting the cost to herself to free Lucian and put his father in prison. Lucian, consumed by fear and anger, labels her reckless and selfish about safety.

Sloane apologizes for past missteps and insists she is scared and taking the current threats seriously. Lucian doubles down, declares he’s returning to the city, and ends their “fuck fest.” Sloane strips off his shirt, determined to sever ties, and they trade barbs as he compares her lack of self-preservation to his mother, further inflaming the split.

Outside, Lucian insists on installing cameras at Sloane’s house, but she refuses anything connected to him and storms off, vowing to forget him. The chapter ends with both entrenched: Lucian choosing distance as protection and Sloane rejecting his control despite the escalating threat.