I won’t let her go.
Not now.
Not ever.
∞∞∞
The sun’s barely up when I hear Johnny moving around in the kitchen.Good.Saves me the trouble of having to hunt him down.
Aro’s still asleep beside me. She needs the rest after everything she shared last night. Hell, she tossed and turned all night, like part of her still expected a monster to pop out of the shadows.
There will be no more of that. Not while I’m here.
I find him at the counter pouring himself a cup of coffee. Barefoot, sleeves rolled, that practiced smirk already half-formed. I can’t stand him sometimes. Especially not after finding out what I know now.
I cross the room slowly. Loud enough that he knows I’m coming, but quiet enough he doesn’t know what for.
He glances up. “Morning.”
I don’t answer. Just take a measured step closer, until there’s only the counter between us.
“We need to talk,Johnny.”
The smile flickers. Barely. He sets the mug down with deliberate calm. “It’s Jonathan.”
“Yeah. I know.” I hold his gaze. He knows damn well why I used it.
“She told me everything.”
For a second, he goes still, like a wire pulled tight. Then, that polished mask slides right back into place.
“Define ‘everything.’”
“Arizona. Her mom.You.The shit you said. The shit youdid.”
His jaw ticks. He doesn’t have a clever comeback this time.
I plant both hands on the counter, leaning in, voice dropping another octave.
“You think this little reformed act fools me? Acting like some protective ex? You broke her. And if you even think about manipulating her again—”
I pause, just long enough to let the weight land.
“—I’ll put you down before you even know it’s coming.”
His eyes flash. “You think you can threaten me in my own place?”
“It’s not a threat.” I push off the counter, straightening. “It’s a promise.”
His jaw works. Then he exhales through his nose, cold amusement flickering back in. “She’s not yours, you know.”
I smile, slow and dangerous. “She’s not yours either. Not anymore. And that’s what’s killing you.”
I turn and walk out without another word.
I don’t need to win this pissing match. I just need him to remember: If he hurts her again, I’ll be the last thing he ever sees.
∞∞∞
