53

53

Riley

I should’ve known Ethan wouldn’t just let it go.

The second I saw his message—You up?—I hesitated. I wanted to respond, tell him I was fine, make up some excuse about being busy. But my fingers hovered over the keyboard too long, my thoughts too tangled to form a lie that would hold up.

Three dots. Then nothing.

Damn it.

I should’ve answered. Should’ve said something to keep him from worrying. Because knowing Ethan, this wasn’t over.

I ran a hand through my hair, exhaling slowly. My body was still on high alert, every muscle tense from last night. Zane had pushed me, tested me, made it clear that my time was up. He wanted me to come back.

And if I didn’t—

My gaze flicked toward the window, toward the faint claw mark on the frame. A reminder. A warning.

Zane had never been patient. He wasn’t going to wait much longer.

A knock at the door made me flinch.

I went still, my pulse jumping.

Too early for anyone else. Too deliberate to be a neighbor.

Ethan.

I closed my eyes, took a s