Page 227 of Only Be Mine

He leaned down slightly, close enough that I could see the faint pulse in his throat. “You said you trusted me.”

It was a statement, a test.

I forced my voice to remain steady. “I do.”

His eyes searched mine. “And I trust you,” he replied. “But trust requires loyalty.”

His phone buzzed in his pocket.

He didn’t check it.

Didn’t break eye contact.

“I can’t fix this alone,” he said softly. “I need you with me.”

Not beside me.

With me.

On his side.

Against the world.

Against the truth.

My heart pounded so hard I was sure he could see it.

He stepped back at last.

“I’ll make coffee,” he said calmly. “Then we’ll make the call.”

He left the bedroom, and I sat very still on the edge of the bed, phone cold in my hand.

This wasn’t about fear anymore.

It wasn’t about grief.

It was about alignment.

Submission dressed as partnership.

I stood slowly and walked to the doorway.

From here, I could see him in the kitchen, measuring coffee grounds, pouring water carefully.

Everything was calculated. Controlled.

If I made that call, I would be choosing him.

If I didn’t…

I didn’t know what would happen.

But I knew this - Trevor wasn’t afraid of killing once.

He was afraid of losing, and I had just become a liability.

The coffee machine clicked on.