He loved me.
After everything.
After all the years.
After believing I abandoned him.
He still loved me.
And the terrifying part?
I loved him enough that fear suddenly became unbearable.
Because now he had something to lose too.
Outside, thunder cracked violently across Eagle River.
The black sedan disappeared around the corner.
But the damage was already done.
The cartel had delivered their message.
And Hersh had delivered his.
They were coming for me.
But if they wanted me?—
they’d have to go through him first.
19
FELICITY
They threatened somebody I love.
The words kept echoing through me long after the tavern went quiet again.
Love.
Present tense.
Not loved.
Not used to love.
Love.
My chest hurt so badly I could barely breathe around it.
Hersh still held my hand.
Like he didn’t even realize what he’d just done to me.
Or maybe he did.
Because his eyes never left mine afterward.
