Barry’s POV

The message was simple. Six words, stripped of everything but intent.

I want to see you.

I didn’t stare at the screen long after I hit send. I didn’t need to. Those words would already be sinking into her, curling around her ribs like smoke, suffocating her even if she tried to ignore them.

Alina.

Even the thought of her name sent something jagged ripping through me. Anger. Hunger. A bone-deep need that never went away no matter how much I tried to choke it down.

She thought she could run. She thought Dante—perfect, controlled, knight-in-shining-armor Dante—could shield her from me. But I knew her better than he...