Alex sat on the edge of the bed longer than he should have.
The house was already moving downstairs—Bridget’s soft footsteps, the clink of dishes, the low murmur of a morning news channel. Normal sounds. Safe sounds. None of them matched the tight, restless feeling under his ribs.
He had spent most of the night turning the same thoughts over.
If he pushed back, Troy would tighten everything. The rides. The phone. The threats against Kevin. Maybe worse. Troy had already proven he was willing to use photos, private apartments, and other people to keep control. Defying him out loud, in the open, was dangerous.
Alex’s hands had gone cold just thinking about it. Part of him wanted to go downstairs, keep his mouth shut, accept the ride, accept the rules, and survive another day without makin
