He saw it—
The hesitation.
The fear.
And he smiled. “You don’t owe him loyalty just because he signed a contract with your name on it.”
“I owe him more than you’ll ever understand.”
James tilted his head, studying me like I was a puzzle he’d already taken apart once and was eager to ruin again.
“You really think he’s worth it?”
I didn’t answer. Not out loud. But my silence was enough.
After he left, I locked myself in the upstairs study and paced like an animal.
I texted Adrian twice:
Where are you.
Tell me you’re okay.
Nothing.
I stared again at the photo—the one of my father slumped in his chair. The blurred reflection of James behind him. The gun.
And I thought about every time James touched my shoulder, or kissed my cheek, or called me sweetheart with a smile that never r
