Chapter 25 · You noticed all that?

"You noticed all that?"

"I notice everything about you."

The words landed harder than his grip.

For a moment, neither of them moved.

His breath brushed her lips. Her hand was still against his cheek. Heat pushed through his coat and into her palm. He looked at her mouth, then caught himself and dragged his gaze back to her eyes.

"Tell me the truth," he said.

"Which one?"

"Why does that hidden contract call me your heart?"

Lia's throat tightened beneath his fingers.

"I don't know."

"Liar."

"I know what the words said. I don't know who wrote them."

"They were in your handwriting."

"I saw that."

"You signed it."

"I saw that too."

"Then why aren't you afraid?"

Lia laughed once. It came out dry. "Who said I'm not?"

His eyes searched her face.

"You are afraid," he said.

"Of course I am. You have a hand around my throat."

"Not of me."

She should have lied. It would have been easier. A lie would have given him something to fight, something familiar.

Instead, she whispered, "I'm afraid I did this to you."

Cael's hand stopped moving.

The car rolled forward again.