Emma 

“Let go of me, Knox,” I shout, my voice coming out sharper than I intended, but panic is rising in my chest, and I can’t hold it back any longer.

My heart is thundering so loudly I can feel it in my ears, in my fingertips, everywhere. 

Every beat feels like a warning, like something’s about to shatter if I don’t get away, fast. If he digs deeper, starts asking the real questions, the ones I don’t have answers to, it will break him.

“Emma, stay away from Ethan,” he growls, his jaw tight enough that I can see the muscles jump. His fingers are still wrapped around my...