For a few long seconds, neither of us moved. The rain hammered against the pavement
I didn’t realize I’d whispered something until Daniel’s hand tightened on my arm.
“Jane. Stay with me.”
I don’t know how I was even still standing. I felt hollowed out, scraped raw, like a single touch could shatter me.
The threat was personal. Precise. Not vague, not metaphorical. “Run to him again… and I’ll burn down the next thing you love.” They knew exactly what would tear me open.
My throat barely worked as I whispered the truth I didn’t want to admit, not to him, not to myself.
“I can’t be alone tonight.”
My voice cracked on the last word.
For a moment, he didn’t say anything. Then his arms wrapped around me, slow, careful, steadying, like he was afraid I might fall apart right there in the
