Page 102 of Unleashed

Slade frowned. “We’ve only done two miles.”

“If you want to keep going, fine. I’ll head back on my own.”

He blinked, surprised by the sharpness in my tone. “I thought we were spending the day together?”

“Excuse me for ruining your good time.” The words came out harsher than I intended, but I was too rattled to care.

“Morgan, that’s not what I meant,” he said, clearly confused. “If you want to go home, I’ll take you.”

I crossed my arms. “Are you sure?” The sarcasm was thick in my voice, but I couldn’t stop myself.

His jaw tightened, irritation flashing in his eyes. “Are you looking for a fight?”

“No, Slade. I just want to go home. My home.”

“Fine,” he snapped. “Go. I’ll call you later. You sure as hell changed your attitude in the past half hour.”

“Whatever.” I turned and started limping toward the park exit, faking the injury to keep up the lie. Slade stood there, watching me, probably baffled by my sudden change in mood. I didn’t care. My mind was spinning.

A moment later, I heard his footsteps behind me, and before I could protest, he scooped me up in his arms.

“What the hell are you doing?” I hissed, wriggling in his grip. “People are watching.”

“I don’t give a damn,” he growled, holding me tighter. “You’re my fiancée. I can take care of you.”

I shot him a sharp look. “What changed in the past minute to make you decide that?” I asked, throwing his earlier words back at him.

He glared at me, then softened. “Don’t be nasty. If you want to go home, I’ll take you.”

I sighed, too emotionally drained to fight anymore. “Just take me to your apartment.”

As he carried me through the park, I glanced over his shoulder, scanning the crowd for any trace of Michael. But he was gone. Had I imagined him? My heart hammered in my chest, the shock of seeing him—or thinking I had—rattling me to the core. Michael had disappeared almost a year ago without a word. No calls, no letters, just... vanished. And now, out of nowhere, he was here? My stomach twisted.

Back at Slade’s apartment, he set me down on the couch and immediately started massaging my thigh. I leaned back, closing my eyes, trying to make sense of what I’d seen. Was it real?

“Does that feel better?” he asked, his hands warm against my skin.

“Yeah, thank you.” I forced a smile, but my mind was miles away. “I’m sorry I snapped at you.”

Slade sighed, sitting down beside me. “What was that all about?”

“Nothing,” I lied again, shaking my head. “I’m just... on edge.”

He studied my face, concerned. “You were fine until yesterday. It’s the wedding, isn’t it? I told you to let Maelynn handle the details. Why are you stressing?”

I exhaled slowly, rubbing my temples. “I don’t know. Everything’s just... hitting me.”

He gave me a wry smile. “Is this how it’s gonna be for the next four months?”

“No, I’ll calm down.” I forced a laugh, but my mind was spinning.

“That’s my girl,” he said, leaning in to kiss my forehead.

For some reason, his words made my chest tighten. The satisfaction on his face, as if he’d just fixed everything with a simple phrase, only made it worse. What if Michael was really back? What if all the feelings I’d buried for him started clawing their way to the surface?

I should hate him. He left me with no answers, no closure. Where did he go? Why didn’t he tell me he was leaving that day for the ocean? I had followed the news reports, waited for any sign of him after the authorities searched the Atlantic, but they found nothing. Michael had the means to disappear if he wanted, but why would he? Was it because of me? Because I couldn’t fully commit, even when I said I loved him?

I should be grateful he made the choice for me. But the more I thought about it, the more my anger twisted into guilt. And doubt.

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