Chapter Five

Avery’s POV

I lasted until just past midnight.

The house had gone completely still except for the softer rain still whispering against the windows. I lay in the guest bed staring at the ceiling, the phantom weight of Kane’s hand at my throat replaying with perfect, merciless clarity. Every hour that passed only sharpened the ache. The condition he had left me with ask properly had stopped feeling like a warning and started feeling like the only door left open.

I got up.

Bare feet silent on the runner, I walked the length of the hallway to the master suite at the far end. The door was closed....