Ezra lunges toward the window just as Colt slams it shut.

"Don't go, Cass! Just wait! Let's talk about this!"

"Go," the Alpha orders Colt, even as he struggles to hold Ezra back.

"Drive!" Colt barks at the chauffeur.

Dash, sitting in the front passenger seat, turns around. "Go! Now!"

"Cass!" Ezra bellows.

"Accept the rejection, Ezra! Let's be done with this!" I scream before the car surges forward.

There is raw desperation in his eyes, but I feel nothing. Maybe a few years ago, I would have been moved, but not anymore.

Colt seals the window, and we start to pull away. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah. I'm fine," I say, though I remain withdrawn.

Dash glances back at me. "Curls, he's a prick. That man didn't care until someone else became interested in you. He would have kept treating you like trash forever otherwise."

I know he’s right. I’m trying my hardest not to feel bad for the guy, and I refuse to.

"How long until we arrive?"

"About an hour," Colt says. He rubs my back, his touch lingering. "How are those wounds?"

"Oh, I forgot about them. They’re not hurting."

"Let me see."

I turn for him. He lifts my shirt and peels away the gauze. "They’re almost gone," he notes.

"Good," I mutter, but he doesn't pull his hand away. Instead, he slowly traces the line of my spine, his touch warm and delicate. It feels electric. I close my eyes, savoring the sensation.

"So many scars..." he whispers.

I pause, my voice tight. "Mh. I was a... wild child, according to your mother."

He takes a deep, steadying breath. "Did any of these happen because of me?"

I don't want to hurt him, but I won't lie. "Don't ask questions you don't want the answer to, Colt."

He knows what that means. He closes his eyes and nods, heavy with the weight of my past. He leans close, his breath ghosting over my ear. "Well, I am going to love you until I melt those scars away."

I turn to stare at him. The intensity in his eyes makes my chest squeeze with emotions I’ve never named. His hand slides to my face, caressing my cheek.

"Your skin is perfect either way, but I’m going to love you until you forget you ever had them," he whispers, his calloused hand now resting possessively on my thigh.

"Goddamn! I can touch the tension in here! You know you're not alone, right?" Dash shouts.

I blush, quickly straightening my posture.

Colt grunts. "You’re starting to get on my nerves, Dash."

"About time. I get on everyone’s nerves," Dash says, checking the rearview mirror. "I’m surprised you lasted this long with me."

"You were always annoying, Dash. I just ignored you."

"Goddamn. For nine years?" Dash laughs. "You have the patience of a saint."

Colt turns his full attention back to me. His hand lands on my knee, pulling me flush against his large frame. He tilts my chin up, locking his lips with mine. It is a fiery kiss, screaming of desperation and longing. He pulls back just enough for me to feel his hand traveling further up my thigh. He sucks in a sharp breath through his teeth.

"I’ve been wanting to kiss you for days, and you wouldn't let me," he whispers breathlessly.

"You know why," I remind him.

"Yeah. But we're away from him now. I want you." His hand strokes my outer thigh, drifting dangerously upward.

"Yes, but..."

One of his brows lifts. "But?"

"I’m here, dumbass! We’ve arrived!" Dash shouts.

I sigh—that was exactly what I was about to say. Colt seems to have completely forgotten we aren't alone.

"For Goddess' sake! I will stop this car, run out, and never come back!" Dash threatens.

I giggle. Colt takes a deep breath, his nostrils flaring as he pulls back. He keeps his hand on my shoulder, pulling me against his chest. I love how he shows me he wants me, but it still scares me a little. Now that we are away from Ezra’s drama, I remember his earlier promise. I pull away, cross my legs, and look out the window.

"So, what were those things you needed to tell me?" I ask.

"Mh?" He looks confused. "What things?"

"You told me you had information you needed to share. Back in the dungeon. Things about me? Remember?"

He realizes what I'm referring to. "Oh. Yes. But not yet."

"Not yet? Why?"

"For one, we aren't alone."

"Oh, now you want to be mindful," Dash mocks.

"Shut up." Colt glares at him until Dash turns back around, grumbling under his breath.

"Okay, then when?" I press.

"Let’s get to the city, and then we’ll figure it out."

"Alright."

The rest of the ride is filled with small talk until the skyline finally breaks the horizon.

"Wow. They’re even taller than they look on TV," I murmur, staring at the skyscrapers.

"Do you see the tallest one?" Colt points to a spire that dwarfs the rest. "That’s where we’re staying."

We stop in front of the building. Colt takes my hand and leads me inside—it’s the most opulent place I’ve ever seen. A pack member I recognize approaches from the front desk.

"Alpha, the rooms are ready. Here are the keys." He hands Colt a stack of white cards.

"Thank you." Colt turns to me. "Come on."

He leads me to an elevator. I step inside, my body stiff.

"Are you okay?" Colt asks, while Dash snickers.

"I’ve never ridden one of these," I admit.

As the elevator rises, I stumble, clutching Colt with both hands. He holds me tight, shielding me as they both laugh—though I find nothing amusing about the sensation of falling.

When the doors open, Dash leads the way. "Here we are. We have the whole floor."

"The whole floor? All these rooms?"

"Yes. Many will be occupied by pack members, and the empty ones remain secure. Colt is an Alpha—soon to be the Alpha of the entire pack—so he must be protected at all costs."

"It’s like... mafia bosses," I say.

"What does your pretty little head know about the mafia?" Dash asks, amused.

"Only what I’ve seen on TV."

"Laugh all you want, but you’re probably not far off," Colt says. He turns to Dash. "I’ll text you when we’re ready to leave."

Dash waves. "Alright, but let me nap first."

Colt takes my hand and opens the door to a sprawling suite. The living room is immense, with a glittering chandelier, white marble floors, and cream-colored sofas accented in gold. A giant wall of glass overlooks the city.

"Oh... wow. But I thought the city wasn't part of our territory?"

"It’s not. The city is a free area—unclaimable territory. Multiple packs own buildings here. Even the Dark Fang pack owns a few, but most packs come here for business only. Don't worry."

I stand before the window, watching the city lights flicker from above.

"Is that why you’re here?"

He nods. "Yeah."

I turn to face him. "Okay. Time for that talk."

He feigns confusion, but he knows. He walks toward me, takes my hand, and twirls me. "Let’s dance first." He claps twice. "Alexa, music. Something slow."

A melody drifts through the room. He pulls me into his arms, and we begin to sway. I love how sweet he is, but I won't be distracted.

"Colt, you said you would tell me."

He twirls me again, spinning me until I’m dizzy. When we stop, we’re somehow in the bedroom. He pulls me back, and I collapse onto the bed with him hovering over me.

I laugh. "Colt!"

"Skill, Angel. Bet you didn't even notice how we got here."

He smiles, brushing strands of hair from my face.

"Tell you what. Let’s spend today doing anything you want in the city. Then tomorrow, we have a serious conversation."

"You promise?"

"I promise. I’m not avoiding it. I just want a normal day with you."

I nod, staring at his lips. "Kiss me first," I whisper, shocked by my own boldness.

"Oh? Now you’re demanding?"

"Well, don’t mind if I comply," he whispers.

His lips touch mine, and a jolt of electricity zips through me. I pull him closer, deepening the kiss. His hands travel to my thighs, lifting them to wrap around his waist.

"I don't want to go too far," I whisper.

He nods, still kissing me. "Okay."

He grinds his hips against mine, a slow, friction-filled movement that feels incredible. I moan.

"I like that."

"Mh, like what?" I breathe between kisses.

"When you moan like that, it makes me want to do everything to you," he murmurs against my skin. "But I will always stop when you want me to. Just tell me what's too much—because if you let me, I will take you completely."

The thought of his words makes my entire body ache for him.