Page 165 of Theirs to Possess: The Marriage Claim
Another message pops in, almost instantly.Driver’s waiting.
Of course he is. All Brennan or Dorian has to do is snap their fingers and they get what they need.
Since I have no choice and I don’t want to arouse suspicions, I let them think that I agree.Thank you.
All that means is that I’ll have to figure out another plan.
Back in the bedroom, I put Calypso in her sling. “We’re another step closer to being home.”
Once she’s secure, I have to adjust the strap because Brennan was the last to carry her on our honeymoon. A lifetime ago.
Once I have her in place, I pick up my tote.
As I cross into the living room, the morning sunlight catches my pink diamond, refracting everywhere and making me freeze in place.
Suddenly the promise behind it feels like a lie.
In that instant, the metal around my neck becomes too heavy, too cold, and I reach up to unfasten it. Since my hands are shaking so hard, I fumble the clasp several times.
Even though I hadn’t wanted the thing initially, it had become part of me.
Tears in my eyes, I shake my head. It wasn’t part of me. It was just another part of the lie I was living.
I pivot and make my way back to the kitchen and toss the collar onto the island.
The sharp clink of metal on stone reverberates off the ceiling.
My hands trembling even harder, Calypso mewling, I then slide off my ring and drop it.
That strike of diamond against marble is the sound of finality.
With determination, pretending my heart isn’t breaking, I walk to the elevator, each step feeling like a countdown.
Three.
Two.
One
The compartment is waiting, and as the doors slide closed, I exhale. It’s not a sigh of relief. It’s more like a quiet grief, maybe even a release.
As if sensing my distress, Calypso fusses again, and I pet her. “Shh, precious.” Though I don’t want her upset, if either of my men is looking at the camera feed, they’ll believe she’s not feeling well.
In the parking garage, I give my driver the address of the vet on Westheimer. “And since they were booked this morning, they’re working me in. They warned me it could take a while.” Suddenly the lies are coming easier.
“No problem, ma’am.” In the rearview mirror, he meets my gaze. “Mr. Vale has me assigned to you all day.”
Did they suspect I might run?
Calypso settles, and I can’t help but take out my phone. As I do, I notice the absence of the weight on my ring finger. Even though I hadn’t worn it all that long, the ring became part of me, and I miss it.
Shoving that thought and its emotional weight aside, I open my rideshare app and order a car to be waiting in ten minutes on the street next to the vet’s office.
Then, unable to help myself, I see the icon for our group chat showing several unread messages. Even as I tell myself I’m making a mistake, I open it.
In the long list, a few leap out.
Brennan:Just let us know you’re okay.
