Cedric's hand froze in midair.
He stared at me, his lips working for a long time before he managed to force out a few words.
"Jo, you've lost your mind."
I had nothing left to say to him. I turned to leave.
He seized my wrist and pulled me back.
His voice dropped low, as though terrified someone nearby might hear.
"Come home with me."
"While there's still time, I'll go to Dominic Hale myself. I'll tell him you didn't know what you were doing, that you were just angry at me, and then..."
I frowned and turned to face him.
"Mr. Shaw, in what capacity would you be making that request?"
He went blank.
I pried his fingers off my wrist one by one, my voice cutting through him like a blade.
"I'm simply the woman Mr. Hale brought home. You and I are not siblings. We are not husband and
