Not look at me like I’m something disgusting?
I stop so abruptly my hip throbs.
Because that’s when it hits me—sharp, breathless, undeniable.
I trust him. Even after marking me. I trust him.
Worse than that, somehow, I love him.
I love the violent, impossible man.
I should have got out of my car when he wanted it.
Fuck.
By the time I get to my building, my legs ache and my mouth tastes like metal.
I’m already reaching for my keys before I remember.
I don’t have them.
The door opens under my hand. Unlocked.
I go still.
For one stupid, helpless second, relief hits me so hard my knees almost give.
Maksim.
Of course he came after me.
Of course the first thing my body does at the thought of him standing inside my apartment is loosen, like I’m safe.
The realization lands a beat too late.
Safe. With him.
The lights snap on.
Not Maksim.
Gabriel steps out from the dark like he owns the room. Emir behind him, silent and watchful.
Every bit of air leaves my lungs at once.
“Gabriel.”
His face doesn’t change. “Where the fuck have you been?”
My throat tightens.
I grip the bag strap harder against my shoulder. “I don’t have anything for you.”
Gabriel’s face doesn’t change. He steps forward once, fast enough that I barely register the movement before his hand closes around the strap and yanks the bag clean off my shoulder. The force spins me half sideways.
“Gabriel—”
He tosses it to Emir without looking.
