Page 243 of Ignite

I glance down, reciting the street name.

“I’m on my way to you. Just stay calm and keep driving towards me. You got that, baby?”

I suck in a ragged breath.

“Y-yes.”

“Wait. Please stay on the phone. I need to hear your voice.”

“I’m never leaving you, trouble.”

A calmness washes over me.

He’s got me.

He always did.

“I’m just starting my engine. I won’t be long.”

I swallow the bile rising in my throat.

“They still behind you, darlin’?”

I check. Grit my teeth.

“Yep.”

“Keep driving calmly. Don’t let them think you know.”

“Got it.”

“I’ve texted my men. They’re coming from Decadence as backup.”

A shiver rakes down my spine at the mention of that place.

“Do you own the chocolate?” I ask, needing anything to distract myself.

“Yes. We do. You like it?”

“I did. Loved it even.” My voice is flat.

“You never know…one day you might love it again.”

This isn’t about chocolate.

“You really didn’t know it was me?”

He doesn’t even pause.

“No. There’s no way in hell I’d have put you through that. I swear on my life—on everything and everyone I’ve ever loved—I didn’t check the applications. I didn’t care. Because all I cared about was you.”

Tears sting behind my eyes.

“S-sorry. This is probably a bad time.”

“A little. But I promise, I’m done with that now. I’d already told my brothers it was my last year before The Chase even started. That is my past, Hallie. I swear.”

I turn right. The BMW doesn’t follow.

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