My hands curl uselessly against the zip ties.
“You don’t get to define him for me,” I say.
“No?” He glances back. “That’s cute.”
I hate the patronizing softness in his voice more than I would hate rage.
Maybe because rage is easier to push against.
This is just rot wrapped in silk.
He keeps pacing.
“I’ve been watching,” he says. “The bar. The town politics. Your little rescue project.” His gaze cuts back to me. “Founders Day. Flyers in the windows. Sign-up boards. Wild Reverieposters. The whole campaign to make The Hollow look wholesome.”
Cold spreads through my chest.
“I’m closer than you think. Always.” His gaze drags over me. “You check the door twice before you leave The Hollow now. You touch that necklace when you’re trying not to panic. And you keep choosing the long way through a room so you can see everyone in it.”
He sees it land and continues.
“You’ve been busy,” he says. “Coffee at Coyote Cup. Talks with that Lani. Cozy little planning sessions. Running around with that clipboard like you can stitch yourself into the town if you work hard enough.” A pause. “Then there’s your grandmother.”
My breath catches.
No.
“She lived in the town once, right? I know the gossip. About your family. Aboutyou,” he says, watching me carefully now. “Evie. The ashes. The trail. Thefinding yourselftour.” His mouth curves again. “Very moving. Dottie is averyfriendly woman.”
My whole body goes cold.
That…
That he should not know.
“You don’t get to talk about her,” I snap back.
He tilts his head. “Why? She’s part of this. She’s the reason you came here. Maybe the reason you stayed.”
“Stop.”
He doesn’t.
“And the way they watch you,” he goes on, quieter now. “That’s been the interesting part.”
I go still.
“Finn like you’re the first real thing he’s ever wanted to keep. Zane like if he builds enough walls around you, the world won’t touch you. Ryder…”
He lets that hang.
I hate that I wait for the rest.
“Ryder looks at you like you’re oxygen,” he says softly. “And men do stupid things when they can’t breathe.”
My heart is beating too hard. Too fast.
He knows too much.
