"Ashton!"

My hand gripped his arm as I struggled to keep my voice steady. He looked down, his eyes meeting mine, and for a moment, I couldn't speak. My lips quivered, but he knew what I meant.

Just as my throat tightened, he said in a low, rough voice, "We need to know."

He gently removed my hand from his arm, took the envelope, and opened it.

His movements were quick, like he was worried I might try to stop him if he ...