Page 63 of Ciaran

I break apart my croissant and take a bite. The buttery, greasy flavor is just what I craved. The pastry melts on my tongue. Delicious. Breaking off another piece, I lift it to my mouth—and freeze.

“Good morning, wife.”

Tanner takes the seat opposite and reaches across the table, helping himself to my croissant. Sweat prickles along my spine at his cocksure, arrogant smile, and the hairs at the nape of my neck lift. Facing off against Tanner when I had Ciaran and Callum nearby was one thing. Managing him on my own? A different issue entirely. But I refuse to let him see he’s gotten to me. I won’t give him that power.

I try to keep my voice steady. “What do you want?”

He gives me a look as if to say, How dumb are you?

“Why, you, Millie. I want you.”

My nostrils flare with a deep sigh. “Why are you doing this to me? Why are you stalking me?”

He waggles his finger side to side. “Uh, uh. Not stalking. It isn’t stalking when the woman is yours.”

“I’m not yours. I’m not a possession you can own.”

Tanner leans across the table with his palms pressed flat onto the wood. He stares at me menacingly, his eyes so wide the whites are visible all the way around his irises. I used to think Tanner had such pretty eyes. Not anymore. They’re just windows to his evil soul.

“You will always be mine. I will never let you go. I will never stop coming after you until you are back where you belong.” As fast as his anger flares, it dissipates, his smile blinding. “Sorry about eating your breakfast, darling. Let me get you another croissant.”

This is what life is like with Tanner. His mood swings keep me off-balance, which is precisely his intention. Tendrils of fear curl up inside me, clinging to my ribs. I can’t breathe. I can’t run. I can’t do anything.

He gestures to the woman serving behind the counter, even though this establishment doesn’t offer table service. Tanner doesn’t care about such details. She must read something in his face because she actually comes over, takes his order, and scuttles off.

He steeples his fingers beneath his chin. “Now, where were we?”

I half rise from the chair.

Tanner stills me with a single look. “Sit. The fuck. Down.”

The waitress comes across with my croissant and a coffee for Tanner. My earlier appetite is gone, and in its place is a horrible sickly feeling. My mouth is dry, and my top lip sticks to my teeth. I sweep my tongue over them. Seconds turn into minutes without either of us uttering a word. The whole time, Tanner doesn’t take his eyes off of me. His cold gaze gives me the chills.

“Why were you at that college this morning?”

His question is further confirmation he’s been following me. How else would he know where I’ve been? He probably follows me every time he’s in New York, or has someone follow me and report back. The thought makes me nauseous. I bite my lip and consider lying, but really, there’s no point. Tanner will find out eventually anyway.

“I’m hoping to attend in the fall.”

He smirks. “I didn’t know that particular college did distance learning courses.”

I frown, not following. “They don’t. It’s on campus.”

His smirk grows, sending an uneasy feeling sweeping through me. Tanner always gives off a high-handed vibe, but there’s something about his demeanor that’s making me nervous—fearful, even.

“Hell of a commute from Chicago, darling.”

I stiffen my spine. “I live in New York.”

“Not for much longer.”

Through my fear, anger blossoms. He can’t hurt me—not anymore. I’m done with his stupid games and his cruel taunts. I’m done with him.

“Think what you like, Tanner, but I’m only going to say this one more time. You and I are through. I’m only sorry it took me all those years to find the courage to leave you. But now that I have, Hell will freeze over before I go to Chicago or anywhere else with you.”

I rise to my feet. I’m halfway across the coffee shop when he calls out to me.

“You will if you don’t want your boyfriend to get kicked off the force and maybe do some prison time.”

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