I should have known that Michael’s need to see me suffer would outweigh any of his fears, any hurdle in his path. But I’d wanted to believe that I’d built a safe haven on Harbor—with Brody. That none of the ugliness and pain of my past could reach me there. I’d been wrong.

Michael shook his head. “Did you really think you could hide from me on this godforsaken island? I’ll give you points for trying, but honestly, the attempt was pretty pathetic.”

I did everything I could to keep my face a blank mask. Not to give him any reaction.

“Sam’s been keeping me updated the whole time. It was dumb luck that he landed on the crew that built the studio for your boyfriend.” His expression darkened as he glanced at Sam. “But he got a little overeager.”

Sam’s face reddened. “How was I supposed to know she’d have a meltdown when I so much as talked to her?”

Sam clearly hadn’t told Michael the whole story. But before I opened my mouth to share what had truly happened, I needed a better feel for their relationship. They were brothers in arms, but there was tension, too. I needed that to work to my advantage.

“I told you, she’s delicate, my big sister.”

Not anymore. Everything that Michael had put me through had hardened me. He just didn’t know it yet.

“It really was reckless for you to play at that bar. Sam sent me a video of that one. Your playing isn’t quite as good as it used to be.”

Memories battered at my brain. All the times Michael had cut me down. Pointed out every shortcoming and failure. I stared straight ahead. “I play for myself. No one else.”

He scoffed. “That’s what the mediocre use as an excuse. You used to be talented. Had so much promise. Why did you give it all up? Hmmm? Was the violin ruined for you after that night?”

I let my eyes fall closed for a moment, trying to push back the onslaught of images battling to get through.

“You gave up so much after. It’s only fitting. You were never supposed to live. And you did a pretty good job of playing dead for years.”

Each word hit me like a physical blow. Not because they were cruel, but because they were true. I held back for so long, thinking that making myself invisible was the only solution. “I’m not doing that anymore.”

Michael scowled in my direction. “You shouldn’t have been so careless. All of those people made you weak. Left you wide-open. How do you think I got you off that island? Pretending to be one of your little friends.”