Page 2 of Promises in the Dark

“Are you okay?” a deep voice asks.

My eyes widen, my heart pounding even faster.

This can’t be one of his men. They don’t care about me. In fact, most days, I’m pretty sure they’d rather see me dead.

But if it’s not them, then who—

“I don’t mean to pry,” the man states after a beat, his voice gentler this time. “But I saw you rush in here, and you looked…” He hesitates. “You looked upset. I just wanted to check on you.”

Heat crawls up my neck as I quickly wipe beneath my eyes, silently praying my makeup isn’t completely ruined. The last thing I need is to give Garrett another reason to punish me.

“I’m fine,” I say softly. “I’m sorry for worrying you.”

Silence settles between us, thick and uneasy, until I finally watch the man’s shoes turn away.

My shoulders sag in relief.

That is, until I realize where he’s going.

The stall door beside mine opens and shuts a second later. I hear the rustle of paper, then a toilet seat cover drifts onto the floor before he lowers himself onto it. His long legs stretch out in front of him as he smooths his palms over the sharp crease of his pants.

“I’m Alex,” he says, his voice somehow comforting me.

“I’m…” The words die on the tip of my tongue. I can’t admit who I am and have him know the governor’s wife is having a mental breakdown on the bathroom floor. The last time I cried in public, the press tore me apart for weeks, spinning stories about a case of heartbreak while Garrett attended some overseas conference. “I’m a mess,” I whisper, defeat laced heavily in my words as I wring my fingers together.

“Is that so?”

I nod, even though he can’t see me.

“Who were you running from?”

“No one.” I roll in my bottom lip, hugging my legs a little tighter.

“I see.” His index finger drums against his thigh, and my gaze drifts to his hand beneath the divider. In the shadows, I observe veins tracing across the back of it, disappearing beneath the cuff of an expensive watch. I’ve never noticed a man’s hand before, but his… His looks dangerous. “And does no one have a name?”

I swallow hard, remaining silent. This could be one of Garrett’s tests. And I can’t afford to fail again.

I won’t survive another night tied to a bed, begging for mercy that never comes. Or left in the cabin with no heat, food, or water. A violent chill overtakes me at that thought.

“I’m not here to hurt you.” His voice softens, concern threading through each word.

I want to believe him.

God, I wish I could.

But I’ve never known a man to tell the truth.

I’ve never known one who didn’t want to inflict pain upon me.

Especially in this world where those in the dark rule over all.

I rest my cheek against my knee, my gaze drifting once more to the hand beside me.

“Did he hurt you?”

Fresh tears slide down my cheeks.

All the time. The answer screams inside my head, desperate to be freed. But I remain quiet. Just like I’ve been conditioned to do over the last almost three years of marriage.