Chapter 5

I locked my phone so fast the screen cracked against my ring—the five-carat diamond Ryker had slid onto my finger the same night he first lied to me.

"Just checking the time," I said, forcing my voice to stay steady as Ryker stepped back into the bedroom. The USB drive pressed against my ribs like a burning coal, and I prayed he couldn't hear my heart hammering.

His eyes lingered on my phone, then moved to my face. In the lamplight, his features looked sharper, more predatory. "It's late. You should get some rest."

"I will." I set the phone…