Chapter 6 · Pet and Collar

"Who was it?" Kael’s voice didn't just demand an answer; it cut through the silence of the office like a blade.

He didn't wait for me to speak. He stepped into my space, his hand gripping the back of my neck, forcing me to stay locked on the playback device. I could feel the heat of his palm, the calloused pressure of his fingers against my skin. It wasn't a caress. It was a claim.

"Let go," I spat, trying to wrench my head away.

He didn't budge. Instead, he tightened his grip, pulling me back against his chest. The scent of expensive sandalwood and something metallic—ozone, maybe—filled my lungs. I could hear his heart beating, steady and cold, even as my own pulse hammered against my ribs like a trapped bird.

"The voice on that recording," Kael murmured, his breath ghosting over my ear. "You recognized it. Who is he?"

"Nobody," I lied, my voice cracking. "Some ghost from a dead lab. It doesn't matter."

Kael let out a low, sharp laugh that didn't reach his eyes. "You're a terrible liar, Vesper. Your heart rate just spiked. I can practically feel it through your skin.