Page 42

I didn’t miss the bit of irritation behind it.

The truth that even if she didn’t admit it, there was a part of her that wanted to break free of the chains of who we were.

I turned back to the box. The lump in my throat nearly impeded all air, and I knelt on a knee as I pulled my switchblade from its pouch. I flicked it open then dragged the tip through the tape.

The flaps opened, and I inhaled a steadying breath as I carefully pulled the packing paper off the top.

Making sure I didn’t jostle anything.

Just in case.

No chances.

Not when it came to Elena.

My frown only intensified when I saw what was tucked inside.

An hourglass.

What the fuck?

“So?” Elena shouted from below.

A pulse of air puffed from my nose. “Come on back up.”

It took her all of twenty seconds to be standing over the top of me.

Grinning her adorable smile like she was proud to have proven me wrong.

Only it didn’t feel like any of this was a win.

I wasn’t anywhere close to celebrating.

“Did that sweet old lady downstairs bring me a pie to welcome me to the neighborhood?” she teased.

I lifted the hourglass, tipping it back and forth and watching the sands slip through the tiny channel.

Confusion dipped her brow. “An hourglass? Where did that come from? Is there a note?”

I dug back into the box and came up empty.

“No.”

Unease rolled through her. “You don’t know who it’s from?” she pressed as her attention jumped around in every direction, awareness settling over her, too.

My head shook, even though I had a pretty good hunch.

The forest green of her eyes flashed. The tumble of browns swirling in disquiet.

Her voice dropped to a whisper. “What does it mean?”

Apprehension sat like a boulder on my chest. “Think it’s a warning that our time is almost up.”

ELEVEN

ELENA

Trevan was a ball of barely held aggression as he shut off the alarm with the app, then worked the key into the lock and opened my apartment door. Gun in hand as he angled inside like an undercover detective getting ready to make a bust.