Alina’s POV
Ronan had been in his office for quite a while—first thirty minutes, then an hour, and soon two. He’d taken his phone and laptop, making call after call, while I anxiously paced outside his door. Jaxon stayed close to me, his silent presence helping me hold it together, while Maddox had slipped away again—probably back to the garage, avoiding the complicated issues between us.
My palm still throbbed where I’d cut it, now bandaged but still a reminder that everything felt like it was falling apart.
Finally, Ronan came out, his face carefully blank, which told me he had news but wasn’t sure how I’d take it.
“Well?” I asked urgently before he had a chance to say anything. “What did you find out?”
“Chloe’s fine,” he said, and I almost buckled with relief. “She was questioned
