Page 169 of Only Be Mine

I could also feel Trevor waiting - quietly daring me to choose the version of the story he preferred.

I swallowed. “Yes,” I said. “He just got home.”

Trevor exhaled, slow, like he’d been holding that breath without me noticing.

Marshal didn’t speak for a beat. When he did, his voice was calm, professional - too calm to be casual.

“Okay,” he said. “I’m going to ask you one more time, Ms. Larkin. Are you safe?”

Trevor’s eyes sharpened.

He took a step forward - still not aggressive, but the movement was enough to make my skin prickle.

“Detective,” Trevor said, cutting in smoothly, “this is Trevor Reeder. Cate is safe. I’m not sure why you’re asking her that.”

Marshal didn’t sound intimidated.

“Mr. Reeder,” he replied evenly. “I’m speaking to Ms. Larkin.”

Trevor’s mouth tightened. “Reeder,” he corrected. The word was polite. The intent underneath it wasn’t.

Then Marshal said, very calmly, “Understood.”

Not I’m sorry.

Not of course.

Just, understood.

Like he was taking note.

My stomach turned.

Trevor’s gaze snapped back to me, and this time I saw it, just a flash, the fear he’d been wearing as concern.

Not fear for me, but fear of losing the room. Fear of losing control.

I didn’t fully understand why, but my body recognized it anyway.

Marshal’s voice came again. “Ms. Larkin, I need you to answer without anyone speaking over you.”

Trevor’s eyes didn’t leave mine.

Seth’s voice was low, barely moving air. “Cate.”

Just my name. Not a direction. A reminder.

I drew in a breath.

The room was too quiet. Too clean. Too staged.

And suddenly I hated it.

“Yes,” I said, and my voice didn’t break. “I’m safe.”

Trevor’s shoulders loosened, just a fraction.

I watched it happen. Watched him accept the answer like it somehow belonged to him.