Page 168 of Only Be Mine

He hadn’t been part of the decision.

Which meant this, this moment, was mine.

Seth spoke before I could. “She’s talking to the detective. Alone.”

Trevor’s eyes cut to him. “That’s not your call.”

“No,” Seth agreed, voice cool as ice. “It’s hers.”

Trevor’s gaze slid back to me.

He didn’t raise his voice. Didn’t step closer. Didn’t do anything dramatic.

He didn’t have to.

His presence filled the room anyway, neat and clean and pressurized.

“Cate,” he said again, quieter. “Give me the phone.”

The words hit my body before they hit my mind, my fingers tightening around the edges, my shoulders pulling inward, my chest shrinking like it expected there to be consequences.

Then something else happened.

A small spark, quiet but undeniable, pressed up through all that conditioning.

No.

Not because I didn’t love him.

Not because I wasn’t afraid.

But because I was tired of being handled.

I lifted the phone slightly, closer to my mouth.

“Detective,” I said, my voice steadying as it left me. “I’m here.”

Trevor’s eyes narrowed, not angry - yet.

Marshal’s voice sharpened on the line. “Ms. Larkin, are you safe right now?”

Trevor’s lips pressed into a thin line at the name again.

I looked straight at him when I answered.

“I’m… not alone,” I said carefully. “Seth is here.”

Trevor’s expression flashed with irritation, then smoothed.

“And your husband?” Marshal asked. “Is he there as well?”

Trevor’s gaze didn’t leave my face.

My pulse climbed.

Seth held his breath.

I could feel it; the way one honest sentence would change the air forever.