The moment Paxton left and the door finally closed, I felt my whole body freeze. My heart was beating too fast. My hands were shaking. I didn’t even know what emotion was on my face anymore. 

I tried to breathe slowly as I walked back into the living room, but Dante was already staring at me the way he always did—like he could see straight through my skin and read all my secrets.

“Who was that?” Dante asked quietly. His voice wasn’t loud, but it didn’t have to be. That tone ...