elt heavier than it should have, as if it carried the weig

ce grounding, his warmth steady even i

urmured, his vo

the worn flap, tearing it open. Inside were

st, her breath catching as

em, a man she didn't recognize-but something a

sion unreadable. "That man... he's th

pounded. "

powerful man. Someone I spent years running from. And

"Then tell us who he

hesi

"No more secrets. If you really wanted

ore than just businesses-he controls people. And

a, but the way Ethan stiffen

ngerous men in California," Ethan sai

en you know how r

just some old ghost from her past

wasn't sure if she'

ng a hand through her

into the cool night air. The silence stret

oment, he spok

I had escaped all this. I thought if I stayed in my little

e softer now. "You can't outrun th

shaky laugh.

hing raw and unguarded in

arm's length, pretending that what they had once meant nothing. Bu

loose strand of hair behind her

mth through her, a stark contrast to

to my normal life, I'll always be looking over my shoulder. Bu

brushing gently over her skin. "You are.

rmth of him seeping into her, his scent-clean and

doing this?"

jaw. "Because I still care. Because no matter how

pounded.

y another word, his lip

if giving her a chance to

coul

d. His arms wrapped around her, pulling her against hi

't just

ything they

the ache of unfinished business, the sile

s deepened. For the first time in years, she felt safe. Not bec

t, both breathless, Ethan res

es things,"

hakily. "Yeah

ty crossed his face. "

e nodding. "I think I've been waiting

tugged at the corner

ng else faded-the thre

ashing back when Ja

ave," he said

ression har

is posture tense. "Beca

tomach

s protective instincts kicki

idn't

peeled out of the lot, his sharp ga

headlights

ling us," Et

pounded. "Wh

he wheel tightene

es screeching against the pav

r his breath. "Th

enched. "Yeah,

streets. The car behind them tried to keep

er throat as the cit

sudd

wn a different street,

when he was sure

haky breath. "Th

expression grim.

eat. "We need to lay

to Ava, something unspo

hat he was

't safe

ither

brushing hers in the dim light, a

ame next, they'd