Page 104 of Unleashed

“Michael?” She sounded confused. “No, why would he?”

I lowered my voice and glanced toward the hallway, making sure the shower was still running. “Slade and I went for a run in Central Park this morning, and I swear, Erika, I saw Michael.”

Her laugh was cold, dismissive. “You’re out of your mind. He’s gone, Morgan. Why would you even want him to come back? You’re marrying Slade in a few months.”

“I don’t want him to come back,” I lied, my stomach twisting at the thought. “But if he is back... it could complicate things.”

“Lincoln told me if Michael’s alive—and he believes he is—he hasn’t heard from him since the day he disappeared.”

My pulse quickened. “Tell me. What happened the day he disappeared?”

There was a pause on the other end. “Lincoln was on the beach with friends, and Michael called to say he was taking his boat out. Lincoln said he sounded... off, like he was done. He didn’t think much of it because Michael could be a loner, but when they found the boat without him... well, no one’s heard from him since.”

“And his family?”

“Heartbroken,” Erika said quietly. “Michael was always his mother’s favorite.”

I pressed a hand to my forehead, guilt gnawing at me. “Maybe I imagined it.”

“It’s possible.”

“It makes me sad. I keep thinking... maybe I had something to do with it.”

Erika’s voice softened. “You were just one part of his life. You couldn’t have known what else was happening.”

I heard the bathroom door creak open, signaling Slade was finished with his shower. “I have to go.”

“Good,” Erika yawned. “Lincoln’s taking me to lunch later, and I need my beauty sleep.”

I chuckled despite myself. “You’re gorgeous without it.”

“Thanks, but we’re getting older, Morgan. Age catches up with everyone.”

“Speak for yourself,” I teased, and she hung up with a laugh.

I slipped down the hallway to the bedroom, where Slade was standing, dressed only in gray shorts. He looked effortlessly handsome, his hair still damp from the shower.

“You look yummy,” I said, trying to ease the tension.

He gave me a wary look. “You over your mood?”

I sighed, stepping closer. “I’m sorry. I don’t want to fight.”

“Neither do I.” His voice softened, and he cupped my face in his hands. “I love you, Morgan. If you’re feeling stressed, talk to me. I don’t want you bottling things up.”

“I will. I promise.” I pressed my forehead to his chest, breathing in the familiar scent of him. “I won’t stress about the wedding. Maelynn can handle the arrangements.”

“That’s why we hired her.”

I gave a small smile. “That’s why you hired her.”

“It’s for both of us,” he corrected. “Our wedding.”

Slade pulled back slightly, studying my face. “By the way, my parents want to have lunch next weekend.”

I froze, the familiar unease tightening in my chest. Keaton, Slade’s father, was a shadow between us. “Your father doesn’t like me.”

“Don’t be ridiculous.”

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