God, I hoped so, because that would mean he was still alive to do so. The air between Rafe and me grew thick with anger and sexual tension, but it dissipated when Shelton grabbed my arm and hauled me toward the door at the back of the building.

“Go warm up,” he barked at Rafe. “She’ll be fine.”

Rafe wasn’t listening. His furious footfalls pounded behind us, and the only thing keeping him outside that room was Shelton and his men.

“I swear to God, Alex—” The door slammed shut, silencing Rafe’s threats of retribution.

Disquiet settled on the room like a blanket. Zach sat in a chair with his hands tied at his back and his feet secured to the legs. Letting out a breath, I took a cautious step forward, satisfied that he couldn’t corner me. I was safe, no matter how fast my heart raced. He couldn’t touch me.

“You look good, Lex.” His hazel eyes lowered to my thighs, zeroing in on the tops of my stockings. “I’m surprised he let you in here,” he said.

I jerked a thumb behind me. “If you couldn’t tell, he wasn’t happy about it. He didn’t have much choice though.”

Zach nodded. “These guys can be very persuasive.”

“It was my decision.”

He sat up a little straighter. “What?”

“I wanted to see you.” I leaned against the cold, gritty wall and tried not to wring my hands.

“Why?” His voice cracked, and he stared at his feet for a few seconds. Was he feeling guilty? No way in hell. I couldn’t believe it.

“He’s going to kill you, Zach.”

“You’re worried about me?” He lifted a surprised brow.

“I’m worried about him.” I stomped across the floor and halted a foot in front of Zach. If they hadn’t tied him to that chair, he could have touched me. He would have touched me. “Don’t force his hand. Please. If you ever cared about me at all, then don’t take him from me.”

He probably thought I meant in the physical sense, but deep down I knew what little sanity Rafe held onto would shatter if he went through with this. All the shit he’d gone through, especially these past few months, had taken a toll on him. I recognized someone on the brink because I’d been there.

Zach let out a bitter laugh. “You think I can take Rafe, do you? Is that what you’re worried about?” He gave a pointed glance at his tied-up state. “Do I look capable of going against Shelton’s underground champ?”