“What did he send you, Ava?”

“He sent me reassurance,” I said, keeping the details vague.

I had to lead Elias where I wanted him to go, without giving away my hand.

“But it didn’t feel like reassurance,” I continued. “It felt like a trap.”

Elias took a slow step toward me.

The scent of his expensive cedarwood cologne drifted over the desk.

“Tell me,” he whispered.

“Not yet,” I said.

I picked up my purse and stood up.

My knees felt weak, but I forced myself to stand tall.

“I need to make a call,” I said.

“You aren’t leaving this office until we settle this,” Elias said.

His hand shot out and gripped my wrist.

His grip was firm, not painful, but unyielding.

It was the same grip he used when he wanted to remind me who held the power.

“Let go of me, Elias,” I said, looking him dead in the eye.

He stared at me for a long three seconds.

In the past, I would have looked away.

This time, I didn’t blink.

Slowly, his fingers uncoiled, and he let his hand drop.