EMBER’S POV

“Hey. Hey.” He’s across the room, catching me in his arms before the first sob even breaks. His large hands cup the back of my head, pressing my face into his chest as his entire body curves over me. “No, no, no. Ember. Baby, look at me. I’m sorry. I’m so sorry—”

He pulls back just enough to look at my face. He looks genuinely stricken. All the wicked delight is gone, replaced by a man who has just realised his joke landed wrong.

“Rafael. Fuck, you thought he found us.” He drags a shaking hand through his hair. “I’m an idiot. I just wanted to get you...