Don't Tell My Husband

niel'

gainst the damp ground. Since the call, we had been running; even if I attempted to keep the panic from coming through, I could fe

hort, frayed gasps. She stammered, but I

Someone I care about." I offered her less than that. Not a

torted reflections in the puddles at our feet. I stopped, panting, my head whirling. Keeping my

, but also there was something

hreat; every shadow provided cover. My senses were sharp. I entered Ava into the s

out an exhale, the weight of the circumstances de

ks heated, her hair was messy, but she still carried that f

I said, my voice low.

she fixed me. You never indi

answered coldly. "I appreciate Ch

step, her face soften

tle room, snapping, "This is exactly what I was trying to prot

old me responsible for this. Pulling me into yo

pretend you are some naive victim. You used me

s instantaneous, her eyes hurt more. Her voice shaky, she replied, "I didn't ask for a

s. Quietly, "I'm trying to protect you," I replied

shoulders tight. Then t

forward a little. Ava, I

t me, and there was no anxiety for the first

eered at the screen-a blocked number. My p

igid as I respon

"Carter, time is running out. You will play by m

do yo

ost amusing quality. Surrender

ghtly. And then, what

p; you will find out. Refuse, and you will he

ear, every muscle in my body rigid with wrath and terror. Ava

her gaze. "We are

require a

ned aside and shoved the phone i

urn to face her. You cannot simply str

no opti

," she responded angrily.

ng. "This is just what they are looking for. They are

hed tears, she begged, "The

ll her no to keep her safe. "Fine," I responded, my voice scratch

to stiffen her features

nd strength, I drew h

nxiety, the weight of everything collapsing down o

a," I said, my forehea

opened warmly against min

caught in my hair, drawing me in as though we can use pure will to expel the darkness from

ed, my voice now more stea

se them, she said,

Every stride drove us toward peril, yet I was un

the conference-a dilapidated warehouse on the outskirts of the c

I entered. The air seemed weighty and oppressive. Then one

s voice was frail. Relief came over me;

our captor. One man I ha

ng over his face, "Welcome home, Nathani