Page 278 of Kentrell

That I’d fallen in love with a man who was supposed to end me?

That I’d given my body, my heart, mysoulto someone who walked into my life as a hitman?

“I can’t talk right now,” I choked out. “I’ll call you later.”

“Zoe—wait?—”

I ended the call.

Kentrell stared at me from where he stood. Still tense. Still fighting whatever war was unraveling inside him.

“I’ll get you a car,” he said finally, voice low. “You can take one of mine back into the city.”

I hesitated, shaking my head.

“No,” I whispered. “No, I’m not getting intoyourcar?—”

He saw it. The fear in my eyes. The calculation. The flash of doubt that maybe, just maybe… this wasn’t over.

“If I wanted to,” he said, deadly calm, “I would’ve been did it.”

My mouth went dry. My chest heaved.

He stepped to the side, pulled a key fob from the drawer, and held it out to me. “Take the car. Burn that shit when you get back to the city. I’on care.”

His voice cracked then. Just slightly.

“If it makes you feel better being away from me… I’ll let you go.”

I snatched the keys from his hand like they were burning a hole in my skin.

And then I ran.

Out of the office.

Down the hall.

Through the heavy front doors of Caldwell Manor, into the darkening evening air.

I didn’t look back.

Couldn’t.

The moment I slammed the car door shut, I broke. Full-body sobs wracked through me as the engine purred to life beneath trembling fingers. I took one last look at the looming house—at the man I left inside it.

Then I pulled off.

Tears blurred the windshield.

And I drove like hell to get away from the only man who ever made me feel truly seen…

And the one man I couldn’t bear to see again.

TWENTY-ONE

KENTRELL

I ain’t wanna getup.

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