His gaze fixed on his bare finger, panic rising so suddenly it made his voice shake. "Where's my ring?!"
He tried to pull his hand free as if he could somehow search for it right there, but Clyde tightened his hold just enough to steady him, careful not to hurt him.
"We'll find it," Clyde said, forcing calm into his voice even as bitterness and rage churned beneath it. "The ring too… along with the bastard who dared attack you and steal it while I was away. I promise, okay?"
Instead of reassuring him, the words only made Ryley tremble harder.
Clyde saw it—the fear, raw and immediate.
Without thinking, he leaned closer, arms moving to gather him in—
Only for Ryley to flinch away.
His bandaged hand slipped from Clyde's grasp and moved instinctively to cover his lower abdomen.
The motion stopped Clyde cold.
His arms remained suspended halfway, his eyes locking onto Ryley's face—onto the way the blond looked stricken, breathing unevenly, unable to meet his gaze.
