“Thanks.”
He gives me a long look.Not flirtatious.Not even overly curious.Just… Present.Like he sees me.“You’re not okay.”
“I will be.”
“The island blocks cell signals and scrambles outgoing data.Jag can’t track you here.Even if he did, the island is more heavily guarded than Area 51.No one can abduct you.Not even little green men.”He shrugs.“After what we survived, my family doesn’t fuck around.”
“Good to know.”
He nods once and closes the door behind him.
I crawl onto the soft, oversized bed, covers pulled tight, and melt into the scent of Wolf all around me.That shouldn’t comfort me, goddammit.But it does.
Sleep doesn’t come.
My mind spins, replaying Gavin’s betrayal on a loop.His confession.The one-year whirlwind of dates and promises and polished lies.The horrified look on his face when I packed my bag and left.
He thought I’d still marry him.Like love meant I had to forgive him.
I did love him.That much is true.
But I’m not heartbroken.
I’m fucking furious.
Furious at him.
Furious at myself for letting it happen again.For trusting the wrong people.For thinking this time would be different.
My phone lights up on the nightstand, a steady pulse in the dark, the notifications on silent.
I know who it is.
Jag and Gavin.
Fuck them both to hell.
I roll onto my side, yanking the blanket over my shoulder like it can block out their energy.
It doesn’t help.The light flashes again.
I don’t want to look.
I really, really don’t want to look.
But if I don’t answer, it’ll only make Jag more unhinged.
I reach over, grab the phone, and unlock the screen.
47 unread messages.
Gavin:
Please talk to me.
I messed up.I know that.But you’re overreacting.
It’s over with him.Completely done.
