When she didn’t answer, his eyebrow lifted. She felt the challenge like a punch to the stomach. Part of him wanted her to test him. A sick part she’d never seen before, but she could see it now. Every line and every muscle pulled taut. He was ready to pounce and looking for a reason.

The one thing—only thing—she would not risk was Connor’s life. Evan knew her and knew her weakness.

“Over by the prison.” Even as she talked, a rough blueprint of the ruins flipped through her head. She mentally examined escape routes and places to hide. “I keep a small boat there. It will get us to Arnold Island. From there we can jump off to wherever you want to go.”

All truthful. Every word of it. If this were a test, she’d pass.

A satisfied look crossed his lips before dying again. “That’s my girl.”

The words screeched across her brain. She wasn’t his anything. “Evan, tell me what’s going on.”

“You just wouldn’t stop.” He tightened his grip and shook her.

She tried to pry his fingers off her bruised skin but he wouldn’t budge. He weighed more, was taller. More lethal. She kept reminding herself of each one of those things when the need to flail and scream pummeled her.

He could kill her.

She forced her breathing to slow. She needed to stay sharp. “Stop what?”

“Fighting it.”

She swallowed her cringe. “If this is some sort of unresolved love thing . . .”

“Don’t be stupid.” He shook her hard enough to snap her head back.

When he dropped her arm, she rubbed the thumping part he’d just squeezed bloodless.

She tried to keep the pain out of her voice. Not give him that satisfaction. “Then tell me.”

“Not sure how it worked with your boy toy, but you don’t give the orders.” He grabbed her coat off the rack and threw it at her. “The opportunity to pack is closed. You’ll wear what you have on.”

“I’m trying to understand.” She slid her shoes on before he dragged her outside without them. “We’ve known each other for years. We get each other. Please just talk to me.”

“Appealing to my protective side.” His smile was almost feral. “I taught you that.”

She fought the urge to throw up. “That’s the point, Evan. You saved me.”

“And I have to keep on doing it.”

None of this made sense. He’d been territorial and a jerk. But he’d never hurt her before. The menacing thing . . . if she didn’t know better she’d think it was part of some new training. But she did know better. This was not a drill.

“Am I in danger?” She meant someone other than him but he was enough.