Page 143 of In Case You Didn't Know

My fingers tighten on the steering wheel as I pull up outside the familiar brownstone apartment building.

And then I seeher.

Francie is standing on the sidewalk, trying to hail a cab like she doesn’t have a care in the world. Her expression is unreadable but her eyes…

God, they slice straight through me as I climb out of the car, abandoning it in a no parking zone.

Relief rushes through me as I realize she’s not hurt. And then it’s immediately swallowed by something hotter. Darker.

Rage.

“What the hell were you thinking?” I snap, slamming the car door behind me. “Going to see Annalise alone? Do you know what she’s capable of?”

Francie doesn’t flinch. Doesn’t even blink. She just stares at me like I’m the one losing my mind.

“Yes,” Francie says calmly. “I know exactly what she’s capable of. Because I’m a grown adult who knows how to talk. Which is exactly what I did with her, instead of appeasing her threats like you planned to.”

My chest heaves. “She’s dangerous.”

“And I’m not helpless.” Her voice is clipped. “But thanks for making it crystal clear that you think I am.”

I take a step toward her. I want to hold her. To keep her safe. To never let her go. “I don’t think you’re helpless.”

Her eyes lock on mine. I can see the hurt there. The anger, too. “Then why didn’t you tell me what was going on?”

I blink, raking my hand through my hair. Hating the way she’s looking at me like I’m nothing more than another man who let her down.

I reach for her and she takes a step back, breaking my heart in fucking two.

“I’m sorry,” I whisper. “I wasn’t trying to hurt you.”

“No,” she says, her eyes so sad it hurts. “You were just trying to control me. You didn’t trust me with the truth. You treated me like some liability you have to keep protected while you make all the decisions.”

“That’s not what I intended.”

“But it’s what you did.” Her jaw tightens. “You lied to me, Asher. You ignored my calls, my messages. You let me sit there and feel like you were ignoring me. Like I didn’t matter. While you were the big man making all the decisions and shutting me out completely.”

I grit my teeth. “I was trying to protect you.”

“From what?” She lets out a low, humorless laugh. “The truth? From being an actual partner in our relationship?” She takes a deep breath. “You know what’s really messed up? You called me brave. Smart. Fierce. And I believed you.”

She doesn’t understand. I just need to explain it better. I realize that.

“I was scared,” I admit, my voice raw. “I’ve hurt people before. I needed to…”

“Well maybe I’m scared too. But I don’t punish the people I care about because of it. You think you’re the only one with scars? I’ve got a lifetime of people making decisions for me. Walking into the room and assuming they know better. You think I need you to do that too?”

Her words hit like a blade. But she doesn’t stop.

“I never wanted a hero, Asher. I wanted a partner. An equal. Someone who chose me, not only when it was easy, but when things got ugly and hard and real.”

Silence stretches between us. She stares at me, unflinching.

“And just so you know, I told Annalise to do whatever she wants with those damn videos. But you won’t be giving her anything. I’m not a pawn for you both to bargain over.”

The hollow feeling in my chest expands.

She doesn’t wait for me to reply. Just steps back, turning toward the street like the conversation’s over.