Chapter 2

Then, I remembered.

Ronan had packed a large, heavy-duty wrench in the toolbox in my trunk for emergencies exactly like this. I scrambled over the seat to reach it. The crash had bent the latch on the box. I clawed at it with my nails and tore at it with my teeth until it finally popped open.

A wave of relief washed over me. I reached inside, my fingers closing around the familiar shape of the tool.

But when I pulled it out, my heart turned to ice.

It wasn't a wrench.

It was a wrench-shaped piece of chocolate.

"Chocolate?"

My mind went completely blank.

Outside the car, Maeve was clapping her hands, her laughter echoing through the glass.

"Wow! You found it, Linnea!"

"I told Declan, why would a girl want a big, greasy piece of metal in her car? You could hurt yourself with that! Isn't it better to have a sweet treat instead?"

"And it's not just any chocolate! It's a custom-made Swiss piece I had imported just for you. It was super expensive, so you should really be thanking me!"

I crushed the chocolate in my fist, a primal scream tearing from my throat.

"Who told you to touch my things? Are you out of your damn mind?"

Maeve's smile vanished, instantly replaced by a flood of tears.

"Linnea, how could you be so mean? I was just trying to be nice..."

Declan's protective instincts flared. He pulled Maeve into a tight embrace, murmuring comforting words into her hair before turning his venom on me.

"Have you no class? Maeve saved that expensive chocolate for you—she wouldn't even eat it herself! Stop being so ungrateful!"