Talbot’s smile faltered, then snapped back too wide.“She doesn’t remember because they messed with her head.But I was there.I protected her.”
Kayne leaned in just enough for Talbot to feel it.“You tried to run her over.”
Talbot’s eyes flashed.“No.”
“You broke into her apartment.”
“No.”His voice cracked, defensive now.“I would never hurt her.”
Kayne watched him carefully.The denial was instantaneous.Automatic.Not rehearsed but reflexive.
Interesting.
“You stalked her,” Kayne said.“Scared her.You threatened her.”
Talbot shook his head violently.“I warned her.There’s a difference.She didn’t listen to me.”
It wasn’t obsession anymore, nor romance.It was blame.
Kayne felt the pieces shift in his mind, sliding into a pattern that made his stomach sink.
“You’re angry,” Kayne said quietly.“Because she got away.”
Talbot went still.
Kayne pressed.“Because whatever you thought you were owed, whatever you decided she represented, you didn’t get it.”
Talbot’s jaw worked.“She ruined everything.”
That sealed it.This wasn’t a man trying to get a woman back.This was a man trying to make her pay.
Kayne straightened, every instinct screaming now.Then he heard the siren drawing closer.He needed to keep Talbot talking so he didn’t take off before the police arrived.“You need to leave her alone.”
Talbot laughed, the sound brittle.“You think you can stop this?”
The cruiser screeched to a stop, two officers jumping out with handcuffs ready.
Kayne’s smile was slow and humorless.“I already have.”
He stepped back as the cops cuffed Talbot and read him his Miranda rights.Talbot finally realized he was caught, uncertainty flickering through his bravado.
Good.
Because Kayne didn’t miss when the threat finally showed its hand.And whatever this had started as, it had just become personal.
#
Chloe was in the middleof pretending to reorganize the equipment receipts when Kayne walked in.She felt him before she saw him.It was the subtle shift in the air, and how the room seemed to adjust to his presence.Her instincts reacted before her brain caught up, a familiar, unwelcome awareness that something had gone wrong.He didn’t have his easy half-smile on.His jaw was set, eyes focused.It was the look he wore when something had gone sideways and stayed there.
Anja was near the office door, posture relaxed but alert in that way Chloe was starting to recognize.She took one look at Kayne’s face and straightened.
“Okay,” Anja said calmly.“Don’t tell me you’re about to ruin Chloe’s morning.”
Chloe forced a smile that didn’t quite land.“If this is about Robin not showing up, I already know.If it’s worse than that, maybe ease into it?”
Kayne’s gaze softened when it met hers, but his voice stayed steady.“I caught someone watching the gym.”
Her stomach dipped.“Watching it, how exactly?”
