"Ava!"
Her entire body flinched the instant her name tore from his lips, carried on a voice laced with raw vigor and an edge of fury that seemed sharp enough to cut through the air.
Ethan's face was set in a storm of anger, his eyes burning into her as though he could scorch her with just a glance. For a fleeting, terrifying moment, Ava truly believed he was going to strike her. Her chest tightened, breath caught in her throat, as she watched his arm jerk upward. But instead of landing a blow, his hand stiffened and shot forward, finger stabbing the air in her direction like an accusation.
"There are so many things you could say," he snarled, his voice low yet vibrating with rage, "but when it comes to Grace—don't you fucking—"
The venom in his tone cracked through the air, the curse exploding from his lips just as a sudden knock rattled the door.
