Chapter 72

Alaric’s POV

“If I did, then there would be no reason for this meeting, would there?” she continued. “Because Meadow would’ve already left you by now.”

My jaw flexed, my grip still around her throat. I didn’t loosen it. Not yet. If anything, I squeezed even harder just to watch the color in her cheeks darken. But she wasn’t scared. She knew I wouldn’t hurt her.

I leaned in close, my nose brushing hers as I let my voice drop to a dangerous whisper. “You will not tell her.”

“Or what, Ric?” she whispered back. “Are you gonna lock me up in that same facility you held my niece? Wait.” She pulled back as if something just struck her. “Meadow knew about Juni being in there, didn’t she?”

I released Clarissa’s neck, examining my knuckles. It was easy to forget that I was injured. Before I left the house, I had Mel bandage my wrists up. It was the least I could do to cover just a little bit of the shame I felt about Meadow finding me down in the