Page 231 of Only Be Mine

My phone buzzed with a new voicemail notification. It was from Marshal.

Trevor’s office chair creaked faintly.

I couldn’t play it here.

Not yet.

Instead, I picked up my mug and took a sip of coffee I didn’t want. Then I stood and walked calmly toward the hallway.

Trevor’s voice drifted out as I passed. “You good?”

“Yes,” I said evenly. “Just grabbing something upstairs.”

“Okay.”

I climbed the stairs slowly.

Not rushed.

Not sneaking.

At the top landing, I paused and listened.

There was no movement behind me.

In the bedroom, I shut the door halfway - not fully, that would be suspicious. I opened the voicemail.

Marshal’s voice filled my ear, low and direct. “Cate. I received your message. I don’t believe it. If you’re unable to speak freely, call me from somewhere secure. If you can’t, I’ll take that as my answer.”

The message ended and my heart hammered.

He knew.

I deleted the voicemail, then immediately panicked.

Deleted meant didn’t mean untraceable.

It could still be recovered…

I moved to settings and cleared my recent calls.

Too obvious?

Maybe.

I sat on the edge of the bed and stared at my hands.

They were steady, and that alone surprised me.

Downstairs, Trevor laughed softly at something. Like things were normal…

He was back in control, and I had just given it to him – on purpose.

Because this wasn’t about winning an argument.

It was about getting out alive.

I stood and walked to the dresser and opened the drawer where I’d hidden the ring.