Page 238 of Only Be Mine

If I said no, everything detonated.

Trevor’s presence loomed at my side.

Not touching.

But close enough that I could feel the heat of him.

“You don’t have to do this,” he murmured, low enough only I could hear. “You’re tired. You’re confused. They’re manipulating you.”

The word hit like a slap.

Manipulating.

The echo of the siren still rang in my ears.

Seth’s breathing was steady beside me.

Marshal waited.

No pressure.

No prompting.

Just space.

I looked at Trevor, really looked at him.

The man who had carried me when I couldn’t stand.

The man who had chosen my meals when I couldn’t decide.

The man who had locked doors while smiling.

He wasn’t shaking.

He wasn’t afraid.

He was annoyed.

At the inconvenience.

At the disruption.

At losing the room.

Something inside me went very still.

“No,” I said.

Trevor’s lips parted slightly.

Marshal’s gaze sharpened.

“No,” I repeated, stronger. “I don’t feel safe.”

Trevor didn’t explode.

That would have been easier.