Page 91 of Cruel Steps

“Who the fuck is leaving you roses?” I bellowed.

Emerson’s face went white, and she slumped into a chair. Her eyes fell to the ground and moved back and forth like she was reliving something.

I set the food on the tray and glanced at Hope. Her eyes held the same fear, and she nodded to Emerson after meeting my eyes. Dropping down to my knees, I cupped Emerson’s face.

“Wildcat, look at me.” It took her a minute, but she eventually looked up. “What is it? What’s wrong?”

“I thought it was Hope. But it’s not.”

“What’s not? Wildcat, tell me.”

She glanced at Hope, and they shared a look, something passing between them. Emerson finally turned back to me, her green eyes wide and fearful.

“He’s back.”

Those two words sent cold dread filling my gut. Just what the fuck was going on now?

CHAPTER

TWENTY-NINE

EMERSON

“Who?” Holden barked, but I ignored him, too lost in my memories.

I let myself lean into his touch, enjoying how warm and secure his hands felt.

Right now, I needed him.

Coming to the hospital had taken a lot out of me. So I let myself steal his strength for one minute, then I wrapped my hands around his arms and pushed them away. He swallowed but stood, his jaw ticking as he continued to stare.

He wanted answers. Answers I didn’t know how to give.

Especially when I wasn’t the only one.

I turned to Hope and searched her eyes—gone was the confidence and anger I typically saw anytime I dealt with her. In their place was the same feeling coursing through me. Fear.

How the hell was he here? How had I been so dumb? This whole time I’d believed it was Hope, and he’d been that close to me. I shook my head, stopping that line of thinking. It didn’t matter.

Now that I knew the truth, I had to move forward with the knowledge and not beat myself up. Hope gave me a subtle nod, and I stood.

“Someone better tell me, or I’m going to lose it,” Holden said. His body vibrated, and I knew he wouldn’t like this answer.

“Not here.”

“Emerson—”

“She’s right, Holden.”

He spun, his eyes shooting daggers at his sister. “Now you’re both on the same side? Unbelievable. I don’t fucking understand women.”

I wanted to smile at that. It was nice seeing the King of Hayward out of sorts.

“And you never will if you keep treating women as objects and pushing them away,” Hope said.

“What? I don’t?—”

“Yeah, yeah. They know the score, and all the other bullshit you tell yourself to make it okay.” Hope rolled her eyes. “I’m not saying the girls you’ve slept with in the past have been any better.” She cringed, flicking her eyes to me. “But that’s also the point. If you only drink bottom-shelf liquor, you’re always going to be left with a headache and upset stomach.”

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