Page 9 of Security Breach

“What should we do?” Emma asked.

“Stick with the plan. I’m taking you home.”

“I’m a danger to anyone in my vicinity. If anything happened to you or one of your brothers or Mrs. Grady, I’d never be able to live with myself.”

“One thing at a time. First, we need a safe place to sleep. After that, my brothers and I will figure out the best plan to protect you and catch the Butcher.”

“He’ll come for me.”

“We’ll be ready.”

Such confidence David exuded while she was a quaking mess waiting for the next disaster. Man, she was so tired of being afraid all the time, and although she longed to be free, she didn’t want anyone else in danger to attain that goal.

“I know you’re uncomfortable, but I need you to stay on the floor for a while longer.”

“I’m fine.” Emma lapsed into silence, unwilling to distract David when he needed to remain alert. As the minutes stretched out, her thoughts circled to Agent Jordan’s comments.

She studied David’s profile. Was he right about David moving on to date another woman? Emma couldn’t blame him if he had. After all, he thought she was dead. Why would he remain faithful to a dead woman?

She should have waited instead of kissing him as though nothing had changed between them. While she’d been frozen in amber for 18 months, David life had continued to move forward.

Then again, he was an honorable man. If he was dating someone else, David wouldn’t have kissed her. Her cheeks flushed at the remembered passion of his kiss.

As though feeling her gaze on him, David glanced at her before returning his attention to the road. “Is something wrong?”

“Besides having a crazy killer after me?”

His lips curved. “Besides that.”

“What I want to know can wait. I don’t want to distract you.”

“The answer to your question is no.”

She blinked. “What question?”

“You want to know if I’m dating someone else. The answer’s no.”

Thank God. “But I’ve been gone over a year.”

“Believe me, I know exactly how long you were missing.” He sent another quick glance her way. “How about answering the same question for me.”

“The answer’s no, but the situation is not the same. I assumed you were alive and well in the military. You had no idea I was still breathing.”

His lips curved. “I’m glad to know I don’t have to convince another man that I have first rights to date you.”

“You still want me even though I’m bringing trouble with me?”

“I’ll always want you, trouble optional.”

She stared. Did he mean that? “Same. You have no idea how hard I had to fight the need to call you from one of the burner phones just to hear your voice.”

He reached over and squeezed her hand. Long minutes later, David said, “It’s safe for you to get up now.”

“Thank goodness. My muscles were starting to cramp.” She climbed into the seat with a sigh of relief. “Where are we?”

“In a part of Rutherford County with less traffic. I wanted to be sure we didn’t have a tail before I let you sit in the seat.”

“Do you think the Marshals are okay?”

---