“So I fixed it. This ring… it’s got a chip inside. And mine has the receiver. Means I’ll always know where you are, what you’re doing. I won’t ever lose you again.”
Something inside me went cold.
Love?
Or control?
His eyes were intense, almost frightening, like if I tried to run he’d burn the world just to drag me back.
He reached for my hand.
And right before the ring slid onto my finger…
His phone rang.
A specific tone.
I saw it in his eyes. Just for a second.
Shannon.
He checked it quickly, face unreadable, then slipped the ring onto my finger anyway like nothing happened. Like I didn’t matter enough to pause for.
“Danica’s an important client,” he said casually, already turning away. “I’ll be right back. Don’t wait too long.”
Client?
I almost choked on that. Before I could even respond, he was gone. Already moving, already boarding the helicopter, like whatever was on that phone mattered more than this moment.
More than me.
The sound of the blades faded into the distance.
And then it was quiet.
I lowered my head slowly and picked up one of the puppies near my feet, holding it close as I crouched down. It bark softly against my palm, warm, alive.