Chapter 31

Inotice the change immediately. Before, Kate had been laughing and happy, flirty even. Now, she’s gone silent. Her face is as white as a ghost, as if she’s seen something terrifying. I look between her and the collar in my hand, confused. What the fuck does this mean to cause such a reaction?

“Kate?” I ask, leaning closer. She flinches and I stop. I know she’s not afraid of me, but the flinch spears into my heart regardless. Whatever this is, it’s not good. “Are you okay?”

She seems to realize we’re in a public space, so she nods. “I’m fine,” she replies, but her voice is strained. Even when Georgia slides her drink across, her voice is strained as she thanks her.

I see it. The fear in her eyes. The panic. Something’s wrong. What the fuck happened between before and now?

“Can we go back to the ranch now?” she asks as she takes her drink.

Georgia is looking at her funny, too, clearly sensing the same thing as I am. Something changed. Whatever that collar means, it’s something profound to her. She’s been secretive the whole time she’s been here and as far as I know, I’m the only one who knows where she comes from. Who did she tell where she was going? Family? Friends? What does this collar mean? I know nothing and it’s driving me insane.

“Of course. We’ll see you later, Georgia.”

“Bye, Sug! Call me to hang out, Kate. I could use a night off.”

Kate nods, but she’s not completely here, her eyes reflecting inward, her body tense. The moment we’re in the truck, I ask again.

“Are you sure you’re okay?”

She nods again, but doesn’t speak this time. It’s only as I put the truck in gear that I realize she has the collar clutched in her hand, her knuckles white.

I can’t help if she won’t tell me what’s wrong. She doesn’t speak anymore so it’s a tense trip back. No matter how many times I ask what’s wrong, she won’t tell me, but her eyes grow more haunted the closer we get to the ranch. I keep glancing over at her, worried, not sure how to help. Once we pull into the ranch and I park my truck, she’s already got the door open before we’ve even stopped, her body halfway out.

“Kate! What the hell?” I growl, leaping out after her after I throw the truck into park. “What the hell is going on?”

She stops only because I block her path, but she doesn’t look up at me.

I grab the collar and lift it. Her hand stays attached so I end up shaking her arm as well as the collar. “What is this?” I ask. “What does it mean?”

Her gaze slowly trails up until she meets my eyes. “Trouble,” she whispers. “It means trouble.”

And then she’s rushing around me, practically running to her cabin.

Fuck that! No!

“Kate! Wait!” I shout as I take off running after her.