“It’s unlikely, but I can’t completely rule it out. This is why I’ve had the security detail on your family from the start. It’s a precaution, nothing more—but it’s a necessary precaution, in my opinion.”

I take a deep breath, doing my best to ignore the churning in my belly. “So would our going to Chicago increase the danger to them or not?”

“I don’t know, my pet.” Julian looks faintly regretful. “My best guess is no, but there are no guarantees.”

I pick up a glass and take a sip of water, trying to get rid of the sickeningly fatty taste of soup on my tongue. “What if I go by myself?” I suggest without much thought. “Then nobody will think you’re in any way close to your in-laws.”

Julian’s face darkens in an instant. “By yourself?”

I nod, instinctively tensing at the shift in his mood. Even though I know Julian wouldn’t harm me, I can’t help being wary of his temper. I may be with him willingly now, but he still has absolute control over my life—just as he did when I was his captive on the island.

In all the ways that count, he’s still my dangerous, amoral kidnapper.

“You’re not going anywhere by yourself.” Julian’s voice is soft, but the look in his eyes is hard, like steel. “If you want me to take you to Chicago, I’ll do it—but you’re not stepping a foot off this estate without me. Do you understand me, Nora?”

“Yes.” I take a few more sips of water, still feeling the aftertaste of soup in my throat. What the hell did Ana put in it this evening? Even the smell of it is unpleasant. “I understand.” My words come out sounding calm rather than resentful—mostly because I’m feeling too sick to get angry at Julian’s autocratic attitude. Downing the rest of my water, I say, “It was just a suggestion.”

Julian stares at me for a few moments, then gives a minute nod. “All right.”

Before he has a chance to say anything more, Ana walks into the room, carrying our next course—fish with rice and beans. Seeing my nearly untouched soup, she frowns. “You don’t like the soup, Nora?”

“No, it’s delicious,” I lie. “I’m just not that hungry and wanted to save room for the main course.”

Ana gives me a concerned look, but clears off our dishes without further comment. My appetite has been unpredictable since our return, so this is not the first time I’ve left a meal untouched. I haven’t weighed myself, but I think I’ve lost at least a couple of pounds in recent weeks—which is not necessarily a good thing in my case.

Julian frowns also, but doesn’t say anything as I start playing with the rice on my plate. I really, really don’t want food right now, but I force myself to pick up a forkful and put it in my mouth. The rice also tastes too rich, but I determinedly chew and swallow, not wanting to have Julian focus on my lack of eating.