Page 10 of One Forbidden Moment

Jillian hovered near the doorway and wrapped her arms around herself.She didn't know where to stand.She didn't know how to breathe.She didn't know how to exist in a place like this.

He glanced at her once, his gaze flicking over her face, her posture, the fear she couldn't hide.Something in his expression shifted.It was just a flicker, gone as fast as it came.

"Sit," he said.

She sat.

The toast was dry, the jam too sweet, and the orange juice had pulp.But she ate every bite because Moe watched her the entire time, those eyes tracking every movement like he was waiting for her to bolt.

When she finished, he stood and jerked his chin toward the door."Come on."

She followed him outside, her stomach protesting the food.Her clothes, which she'd worn to work before she was kidnapped, now made her itch.

Outside, she looked behind her.The road was empty.It was her first look at Everstill in daylight.The sky was pale, washed-out blue without a cloud.

Two men mowed the lawn outside a building that resembled a courthouse, with its whitewashed exterior and a flag flying on the front lawn.Another man stood outside the gas station, leaning against the wall like he was waiting for a car to drive up.They all looked sketchy.

There were no cars.No dogs.No kids.No women.

Her breath hitched, and she looked forward.

Moe didn't slow.He kept her hand in his, his grip firm, guiding her down the street like she was something he owned.When they reached a small store, he pushed the door open and flipped on the lights.The fluorescent bulbs flickered to life, humming softly.

He let go of her hand.

The sudden absence made her sway, her fingers curling reflexively like they missed the warmth.She hated that.

Moe walked down the first aisle, glancing back at her."Today, you're sweeping the floor."

She blinked."What?"

He stopped, turned, and looked at her like she was slow."You know how to sweep, right?"

A scoff escaped her before she could stop it."Yes," she said through tight lips.

He handed her a broom and a dustpan.She took them with stiff fingers, her jaw clenched.He didn't say anything else.He just turned away and started organizing the shelves, moving cans and boxes with methodical precision.

And with no real purpose.The shelves were full.All the labels faced forward.

She started sweeping, pushing the bristles along the floor, barely finding any dust she could move into small piles.The floor wasn't even dirty.

Male customers came in, drawing Moe away from the shelves.They nodded at Moe, spoke quietly, and bought things she didn't recognize.Moe helped them, but he never left her out of his sight.Every time she looked up, his eyes were on her.Watching.Measuring.Making sure she didn't disappear.

She tried not to look at him, but she couldn't help it.He moved with a kind of controlled violence, like every step was a decision.Like he was always one breath away from snapping.

A hand touched her shoulder.

She gasped and spun around, the broom clattering to the floor.A tall man stood behind her.He was taller than anyone she'd ever seen before.His brows lowered, and he stared at her.

"You came here last night."He leaned over her, making her back arch."How'd you get in?"

She blinked."I—I don't know what you mean."

"You arrived in Everstill," he whispered."How'd you get here?Did you come through the storm?Did you survive the veil?Can you leave?"

Her mouth went dry."I don't understand."

She hadn't come willingly.Moe kidnapped her, but she wasn't going to ask this man for help.He scared her.