Arianna
For one horrible second, I forgot how to breathe.
Carson’s voice came through Braxton’s phone like no time had passed at all.
Calm.
Smooth.
Almost amused.
That was the part people never understood about him. Carson didn’t need to raise his voice to scare you. He didn’t have to threaten you outright or pound his fists against a table. He could destroy your sense of safety while sounding like he was asking what you wanted for dinner.
“Hello, Arianna.”
His soft laugh slid through the speaker.
“Did you miss me?”
Every muscle in my body tightened.
Easton noticed immediately.
His hand moved to the small of my back, not pulling me closer, not trying to hide me behind him. Just there.
Steady.
Grounding.
I hated that Carson could still do this to me.
I hated that one voice c
