Page 170 of Perfect Liar

“But if he had this planned, why didn’t he tell you where he was going?”

“Because he thinks you can manipulate me.”

“What?” I whispered.

“He has his reasons for not telling you. Hell, maybe he would have if he’d had more time tonight. I know you weren’t with us back when all the MI5 shit went down, but you must learn to see things from that kind of perspective.”

Thomas took my hand and stared at the ring.

“You know who he is, what he is…or was.”

Thomas was right. I had to learn to reframe my thoughts.

“Yes, I do know. Look, I shouldn’t have behaved that way. I had no right to?—”

But he quickly cut me off.

“—you’re an important part of this family now, and that makes it your right. I don’t want to hear apologies. It’s quite simple…we take care of what’s ours.”

I couldn’t help but smile.

“You sound just like your brother.”

He smirked as he opened the door, gesturing for me to pass through, but then his expression turned serious, and he grabbed my shoulder to stop me.

CHAPTER 47

My stomach clenched, preparing me for more emotional pain as Thomas gripped my shoulder. It had come to the point where my anxiety went on high alert before almost every conversation.

Thomas quickly removed his hand.

“I didn’t mean to scare you. It’s just something I’ve been meaning to say. My brother has never compromised for anyone…not until you. That’s a big fucking deal for him. Don’t hurt him, Ellie. I’ve already lost one brother.”

I exhaled heavily.

“I don’t want to hurt him. I want to protect him.”

He touched my cheek, nodded, then pushed me through the door and walked away.

I ran up to the main suite, plopped onto the bed with my phone, and called Will.

He didn’t answer, and I didn’t leave a message. Voicemail was useless with him. He never listened to it. I sent a text message instead, hoping he would reply.

Please let me know you’re safe. Call me as soon as you can. I miss you already.

I dropped my phone on his pillow and stared at it, compulsively tapping the screen to wake it, waiting to hear from him.

A chill washed over me. I pulled the covers over me, stirring up the scent he’d left behind. The ring caught my attention then, sending my thoughts back to our shower, in his strong arms, when I knew without any doubt that I wanted to wear it.

I tapped on the phone again. Nothing.

Turning my hand to make the ring sparkle, I realized there had been no time to thank him or for us to appreciate it together. The band was a little loose, so I took it off to see where the jeweler might cut it for sizing.

My heart stopped.

He’d had something engraved inside the band.

Until my last breath. W