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I take off toward the edge of the field, my heart hammering as the kids cluster behind me.

“Everyone, head back inside right now! Get the principal,” I call out, my voice steady even as ice coils in my gut.

The back of the yard dips into a narrow tree line that borders the old trail—technically outside the school perimeter, but close enough to be seen.

And sure enough, someone’s there.

A tall figure emerges from the shadows of the trees like a nightmare conjured from the darkest, most twisted corners of my mind.

Michael.

And he’s not alone.

He’s gripping Teresa by the neck.

Little Teresa, one of the sweetest girls in the fourth grade. Her brown eyes are wide with panic, her tiny chest heaving too fast.

She has asthma—a bad case made worse by the blossoming flowers and trees—and she’s already wheezing.

No. No, no, no!

My pulse explodes, fury and fear rocketing through me in equal measure.

Michael’s wearing a crisp black jacket like he’s dressed for brunch, not an ambush. Sunglasses hide his eyes, but I don’t need to see them.

I know what lives behind that smile—the one that never reached his eyes even when we were together.

That smirk used to charm nurses and bartenders. Now it just makes bile rise in my throat.

“Hello, Case,” he drawls, like he didn’t ruin my life.

Like we’re bumping into each other at a grocery store and not standing on a playground with a child in danger.

My mouth goes dry.

“What the hell are you doing here? Let her go!”

He chuckles low in his throat.

“Changed your number. Left town. You made yourself real hard to find. But me and the little princess are getting along fine. Ain’t we, doll?”

Teresa whimpers. Her lips are turning pale.

“You bastard.” My voice cracks. “Let. Her. Go. This is school property. You need to leave. Right now.”

I cast a quick look behind me. Some of the kids are still huddled near the field, eyes huge. One of them’s blowing a whistle over and over.

Help. Someone’s calling for help.

But it won’t come fast enough.

Michael takes another step forward, pulling Teresa with him like she’s a shield.

“I’ll let her go. In exchange for you.”

His tone turns syrupy-sweet, threatening.

“We need to talk. But you’ve been playing house with your pet cowboy, so I figured I’d pay a little visit.”