Now the bed is empty. The house is quiet.
And I'm watching the clock.
11:52.
I slip from beneath the sheets, bare feet hitting the cold floor. I grab the silk robe hanging in my closet and imagine Tristan peeling it off me. My entire body hums with anticipation.
It's been so long. The last time we were together, I got pregnant. I'll never forget that night.
It was, without question, the best sex of my life.
I step into the hallway, avoiding the light cast by dim wall sconces. Every creak makes my heart stutter. Every distant footstep sends adrenaline spiking through my blood.
Maintenance room behind the library. Third door on the left.
When I get there, I'm breathless, scanning around me for the twentieth time, praying no one saw me sneak down here.
I grip the handle. The second I pull, the door swings open from inside.
A hand closes around my wrist and tugs me into darkness.
Tristan's body presses against mine, pinning me to the door. He's solid and so warm. He smells like teakwood and spice—his old signature scent that makes me want to lick him.
It's all starting to come back to me.
"I missed you," he breathes against my mouth.
"Already?"
"Always."
He kisses me. The pain from my split lip flares, but I hold it in, grateful there's no light on.
"I need to see you." His mouth trails down my neck and I'm ready to tear his clothes off.
"It's fine. Let's stay like this."
But he moves anyway, and there's a click. Then an orange glow illuminates the space from a small lantern. I glance around at the exposed pipes overhead. Gray concrete. Cleaning supplies stacked in a corner. An unfinished, barely used closet.
"Keira."
His voice brings me back, and that's when I take in the murderous look in his eyes.
Right. My stupid lip.
"It looks worse than it is."
"Don't." His thumb hovers over my bruised mouth without touching. "I'm going to kill him."
"Later."
"No. Now." He grips my waist, trying to move me from the door. "Stay here."
I grab his arm with both hands. "No."
"I'm done waiting. He dies tonight."
"He's not even home."
