Ally Carter

“Go to sleep, sweetheart. Go to sleep. I’ve got you.”

“You promised.” He heard the swooping, pulsing sounds of a helicopter flying overhead and knew the agencies were coming—the agencies were there. They were all out of time. In so many ways.
“You’re gonna do great, sweetheart. Go. I’ll be fine.”

“Zoe . . .” His voice was rough in a way that had nothing to do with blood loss or vodka. “Baby, I . . .”

She knew the moment he saw the red rings around her neck

“But they scare me.” Her voice was so soft he wasn’t sure if she was admitting something to him or to herself. “I don’t know what happened. I don’t know what tried to kill me or how I survived it. So they scare me. Because . . . what if it tries again?”

I swore I’d never be like him, sweetheart.

“I wanted you safe because I’m in love with you!”

“I’m not your sweetheart!”
He shook his head. He had to make her see. Did she really not see? “You’re my everything.”

“I love you.” Her voice was softer and her eyes were closed. “But I don’t trust you anymore.”

“No, sweetheart. You’re the only one who does.”