Page 20 of The Finder

His eyes narrowed at her, and Emma rushed on so she could get it out then deal with the fallout. “I don’t have a house,” she said.

Garrett frowned at her. “An apartment?” he asked.

“Well, um, close, it’s sort of like that. You see I—”

“Emma,” Liam cut her off. Liam looked at Garrett. “She’s staying at Hope House,” he said, shooting straight.

She watched Garrett’s expression carefully. She could see she had completely surprised him. He didn’t say a word. He stood to his feet, pulled out his wallet, and put two hundred-dollar bills down on the table. Emma's eyes widened at that, but she didn’t have a chance to focus on it. Suddenly, Garrett was standing next to her with his hand out. “Let’s go.“

She put her hand in his and allowed him to pull her to her feet. Even though he was angry, he was incredibly gentle with her. “Are the pain pills kicking in?” he asked. Emma nodded. When Emma stood, he released her hand and put his hand on her elbow and began leading her through the restaurant. When they got outside, he led her down the street a little way and turned a corner into an alley.

“Why, Emma?” he demanded.

Emma looked up at him in confusion. “Why what?”

“Why didn’t you tell me you were staying in a homeless shelter?” he was so angry he could barely get the words out.

Emma started to get her back up. “I don’t know. Maybe because it never came up in conversation. Hi, I’m Emma, and I live in a homeless shelter.”

Garrett closed his eyes and blew out a frustrated breath. “Is that where someone took the jacket from you?” he asked.

Emma nodded. “My roommate did,” she said quietly. “She keeps taking my stuff. I tried hiding it, but she found it and took it. I tried to get it back, but she said she sold it.”

“Is she the one who hurt you?” he asked in a low, controlled voice.

Emma nodded. “I took her headphones off her head when she wouldn’t listen to me. That made her snap. She got mad and kicked me a few times... with her boots on.” She looked up and saw the fury on Garrett’s face. “I’m so sorry,” she said. “I will get the money and repay you. I know it was really valuable.”

Garrett nearly exploded. “I don’t care about the coat. I care that you got hurt over it.”

“Oh, I’m okay,” Emma said.

“You’re not okay,” Garrett said.

“It’s totally fine,” Emma said.

Garrett crossed her arms. “Show me your stomach.”

“What?” Emma asked.

“Let me see your stomach,” he ordered again.

“No,” Emma said, crossing her arms over her chest.

He softened his approach. “Just let me check the bruising to see if you need to get checked out at the hospital.”

“It’s fine,” Emma argued.

“Emma,” Garrett said in a warning voice.

“No, this is stupid. It’s fine.”

Garrett stepped closer. “Please, Emma. Please let me just look and make sure you’re okay. I’m not going to do anything inappropriate to you.”

“I know,” Emma said nervously.

“Please,” he said again.

Emma finally relented. One thing she was learning the more she spent time with this man, he always got his way eventually, and it was exhausting to fight with him. She was already tired from the emotions of the day, and the pain in her stomach.

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