“Everyone was having fun, I didn’t think anything of it.” My breathing grows shaky. “I should’ve realized it was weird.”
Then, he unfolds the page.
He looks at the list, his face a perfect, unreadable blank. I search for the anger I expected, the sharp betrayal, but there’s nothing. Just a chilling stillness. The silence in the room becomes a physical pressure, squeezing the air from my lungs.
“I should have said something,” I whisper, the confession leaving behind a sour aftertaste. “I’m sorry.”
My apology doesn’t just fall on deaf ears; it disintegrates in the space between us, meaningless.
Then, he lifts his gaze from the paper.
The green eyes I’ve gotten lost in so many times—that have crinkled with rare, private amusement, that have watched me with a warmth that felt like shelter—are gone. In their place is avoid. A glacial, calculating stillness that has nothing to do with the man I know.
A splinter of pure ice lodges itself in my heart, stilling the beat mid-thump. My breath hitches, trapped.
A bloodlust fills his gaze, not for me, but for someone who has threatened me. It feels familiar, like something I’d experienced in my past. Itissomething. The memory always makes my skin prickle, but this is different. It’s like I’m experiencing it again in person.
He’d warned me, too. But I didn’t listen. Made my way in here despite his words. I should’ve listened. Why don’t I listen?
Every instinct in my body tells me to run and hide. My feet won’t budge. There’s a pain that swells in my chest as my heart forces itself to beat with survival in mind.
I’m scared.So scared.
I need Raven. She’s the one who knows how to deal with this feeling of dread. She’s my grip.I can’t… I can’t do this again.
“Raven.” Croaking her name, I don’t hear the creak of his chair or the thud of his boots.
His hands are warm against my cheeks, and the shock of his touch helps yank me back to reality. Such calloused hands shouldn’t be soft. The warmth is back in his gaze, and it’s like my eyes were playing tricks on me.
Air fills my lungs so quickly, I’m dizzy. When did I stop breathing?
“Sorry.” The word leaves my lips. I repeat it, I think.
“You’re okay, Pen.” He makes me look at him, and I see the exhaustion is gone. He’s alert. “You know you’re safe.”
He reminds me where I’m at. I’m here with him. The man who promised to keep me safe the first time he cradled my face like this. To promise no one would ever hurt me.
My skin warms as my heart settles. Blinking my eyes, humiliation seeps into my veins.
“I don’t…” Shaking my head, I feel him swipe at the corners of my eyes. Biting the inside of my cheek, I nod my head. I’m safe.
He relaxes his shoulders, sighing once he realizes I’m okay.
“I appreciate you showing me this.” His voice is soft, yet thick as he clutches to the note. He’s trying to contain his rage for me. “I’m going to hold onto this for a minute, alright?”
Nodding, my lips pinch together. I want to apologize again, but it’s hard to concentrate with his touch on my face. Is he still worried about me?
“I’m going to need you to stay at the clubhouse for the next few days.” He tilts my head so I meet his eyes. “Can you do that for me?”
“But—”
His thumb grazes the corner of my mouth. His scowl is back. “If you need something, ask one of the prospects. They’ll fetch it for you. If you need fresh air, find me, and we’ll go for a ride.”
A ride…with him? Talk about a fantasy.
I nod slowly, and he gives me the smallest hint of a smile. So small, I can’t help but want to cling to it and never let go.
“I need a minute.” He softens his voice. “Go back to what you were doing. Ghost should be returning sometime. That’s exciting, isn’t it?”
