Kelsey’s POV

“…Who did that to you?”

Nora’s voice hung over me sharp and heavy. Her gaze was still fixated around my elbow, the reddish-purple bruise circling at my throat—a mark left by the fingers that had held me pinned while I sobbed into the couch.

My heart hammered wildly against my ribs, so hard I thought it would shatter them.

Lie. You have to lie, my mind yelled.

If I told Nora the truth—if I said the word “Cole” out loud—it would ruin the friendship between us.

And for sure… Cole would make sure I paid for it.

I swallowed hard, wincing against my raw throat. I forced my...