Page 142 of Death Wish

“You wouldn’t be upset at this wasted trip?”

“Nope. I got to spend time with you. I don’t consider that a waste.”

“You’re one in a million, Jesse.”

“I’ll remind you of that when we’re in a heated disagreement in the future. So, what’s your decision? Do we stay or go?”

Simone looked at the little house, straightened, and said, “Come on.”

He threaded their fingers together and accompanied her to the door. This was her show. He was the backup if Simone needed it, her support. Jesse planned to stay in the background unless things became dicey. No one was allowed to hurt Simone, especially a friend who had already betrayed her trust.

After a deep breath, Simone pressed the doorbell. They waited.

A minute later, a woman with red hair opened the door, looking frazzled. Her eyes widened when she recognized Simone. “Simone! What are you doing here?” Her gaze shifted to Jesse, then back. “I didn’t know you were in the area.”

“I need to talk to you. May we come in?”

“Sure.” She sounded hesitant, but she stepped back to allow them inside. “Take a seat in the living room. Do you want coffee or something? I just brewed a fresh pot.” She smiled a little. “You know me and my coffee addiction.”

“We need nothing, Ember. We won’t be here that long.” Simone sat on the sofa with Jesse. “This is Jesse, the love of my life.”

Ember’s mouth gaped. “Seriously? Wow. Congratulations, Simone. I’m happy for you.”

“Thanks.”

“Are you in San Francisco on business?”

“You could say that.” Simone watched her friend a moment. “I came to see you.”

“Me?”

The other woman looked nervous. She should be. Jesse wanted to yank Ember to her feet by her shirt collar and demand answers. His wife-to-be, however, was more patient than he was.

“I came to ask you one question.”

Ember blinked. “Okay. Shoot.”

“Why?”

She paled. “I don’t understand.”

“Yeah, Ember, you do. Why did you do it?”

“Simone….”

“I thought we were friends. How could you throw me into Trevor’s path every time I moved to get away from him? You know what he did to me.”

“I do,” she whispered, misery in her eyes. “I’m sorry.”

“That’s not good enough.”

“What do you want?” Ember demanded, shoving her long hair away from her face with a trembling hand. “Blood?”

“There’s been enough blood spilled.”

Her former friend seemed appalled. “I don’t know what you’re talking about. What blood?”

“Trevor attempted to kill Jesse before he kidnapped and beat me. He would have raped me if not for Jesse and his friends finding me in time to stop him.”

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