Page 32 of Nowhere to Run

His lip curled into a smirk—terrifying and cruel.

I swallowed hard, letting my shoulders tense.

“I know as much as you do,” I whispered, voice small. “Just read it. Please.”

His head tilted, eyes still locked on me, but he gestured to the tray.

“Eat. Have a drink.” A pause. A smirk. “You’re going to need your energy.”

A chill ran through me.

I obeyed, plucking a grape from the tray, popping it between my lips, its sweetness bursting over my tongue. I took a slow sip of wine, bit into a cracker pretending to focus on the food.

Why is he taking so long?

Finally, he unfolded the note, brows furrowing as his eyes skimmed over the words. His voice was low. Cold and measured.

“Nice car out front. Keep your hands off what’s mine, or it’ll be the first thing I wreck.”

I gasped, hand flying to my mouth in mock horror.

Nice touch, Emma.

“Oh my God,” I stammered, eyes wide. My voice was hushed, shaky. “It must be from Ryan.”

A beat of silence.

Then—Adrian tilted his head. His eyes flickered with suspicion, one brow arching as he studied me.

“Ryan?” he repeated, his voice clipped. Dangerous. “You’re still seeing him?”

My pulse spiked.

Sell it. Sell the lie.

“Well, I… it’s complicated,” I stammered, hugging my knees to my chest. Trying to look small. Afraid.

“I told him I needed a break, but he didn’t take it well.”

I dropped my voice to a shaky whisper.

“You should probably go.” I swallowed, forcing my voice to crack.

“He might actually wreck your car. Or worse. He… he’s not the sweet guy I thought he was. He’s crazy.”

Adrian’s lips curled into a slow, humorless smile. The amusement in his eyes faded—something colder settling in.

“You told him you wanted a break?” He shook his head, incredulous.

I stared at him. Didn’t he care about Ryan’s threat? Why was he making this about me?

His fists clenched.

“Maybe I didn’t make myself clear last time,” he murmured, his teeth gritting. “You’re mine now. I don’t want you talking to other men. Period.”

My pulse drummed heavily in my ears.

I whispered the words, soft, careful.

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