Page 42 of Before Broken Vows

My phone lies on the mattress beside me.

Waiting.

The call still hasn't come, but I know it will, and it's all I can think about.

I don't even realize how tense I am until a sharp noise jolts me out of my haze.

The door slams open, and I scramble to my feet.

Theo stands in the doorway.

His eyes are wild. Furious. Like something inside him cracked and a river of betrayal consumed him.

"I've changed my mind," he says, voice low and sharp.

He steps inside, the door swinging shut behind him.

"Fuck the three days," he says and takes another step closer.

"You tell me now."

15

STASSI

Istumble out of bed, almost tripping on the comforter, as Theo advances into the room like a gathering storm.

His shoulders tense. Jaw muscles flexing. Eyes dark with a fury I haven't seen since someone insulted Calli at a wedding we attended in Chicago about a year after we started dating. Back then, he'd broken the guy's nose without hesitation, and Ares and Dimitri had to pull him into another room.

Now, that fury is aimed at me.

"I—what? Why? What happened to three days?" I manage, my voice thin and shaky compared to the thunderous energy radiating from him.

He doesn't answer. Instead, he starts pacing—five steps one way, five steps back—like a caged animal. I can see the effort it takes for him not to explode.

I'm not afraid—not exactly. But something about him right now feels fractured. Like the wrong word will break us both.

"Theo," I try again. "What's going on?"

"Don't say my name like that," he snaps. "Like we're okay."

Does he know?

Shit, how? How could he?

"I've only been here a few days. Not even a full week. You act like I've had years to tell you everything."

"Don't turn this around on me."

"I'm not." I step forward now, just one small step. "But you're coming in here demanding the truth when you haven't asked for it, not really. You storm in, make threats, and expect me to just open my chest and let you carve out whatever answer you want."

He stops and turns to me, his blue eyes so cold they burn.

"Who were you talking to on the phone last night?" Not even acknowledging what I said.

My eyes go wide, my heart stops. Blood freezes in my veins.

He heard me.