Page 242 of Only Be Mine

I looked past him again.

I could still see the front door. Trevor stood just inside it, framed by the warm light like a portrait.

Not panicked.

Not frantic.

Not fleeing.

Watching.

His posture was loose, almost relaxed, like he was waiting for the right moment to resume the conversation.

His eyes met mine, and for a second, I saw it so clearly, I almost laughed…

He still believed he could talk his way back into control.

Marshal followed my gaze. “Don’t look at him.”

The softness in his voice startled me.

I blinked, then looked back at Marshal.

“You’re doing great,” he said, and I hated how familiar that sounded. Hated how much it echoed Trevor.

As if reading it on my face, Marshal added, immediate and firm, “Not like that. Not to manage you. To remind you you’re not alone.”

My throat burned.

“Listen,” he continued, “I need to get you somewhere safe. Tonight.”

“What about Seth?” I asked.

Marshal nodded toward the porch. “He can come with us, or we can place an officer with him. But you…” his eyes returned to mine, unwavering, “You are not going back in that house.”

I opened my mouth to argue out of habit.

To say I could handle it.

To say Trevor wouldn’t…

But the memory of his voice cut through me, calm and certain, You’re not going anywhere.

Not shouted.

Assumed.

I swallowed the argument down.

Marshal held out his hand, palm up, not demanding. “May I?”

My fingers trembled as I placed the ring into his palm.

He closed his hand around it gently, like it was fragile, then he looked at me again. “Did your husband see you with it?”

The question landed like a trapdoor.

I shook my head. “No.”