Page 50 of Beautiful Prey

He looked at me like I should know. “You have beef with the patient and your unstable past—”

“Give me a break!” I hissed.

He sighed. “Tell me I’m wrong, Eve. I don’t know your motives. But I’m here to protect you from him as well as him from you.”

I gave him ayeah, rightlook. “Are you going to tell or not?” I asked.

He smiled. “Come to the bar tonight and tell me all about it and I’m sure you’ll convince me.”

I growled and slid off the wall, stepping towards the door. Ethan caught my arm. “I can’t guarantee anything, but if you are nice and come out…your chances are better.”

I wrenched my arm away. “I guess I’ll see you later then.” I didn’t give him a chance to reply. I slipped into the meeting room, marching over to Emery.

I turned to him and saw the murderous glint in his eyes that he was irritated too, Dr. Hannah using her charms to ruin his day yet again.

We stared at each other, then Emery broke the silence. “This is a first.”

“What is?”

“You being more pissed off than me. And I gotta say, I love the look. It’s at least cute on you.”

I glared at him then started to laugh. He laughed too.

“Dr. Hannah?” I asked.

“Always on time as usual, the insufferable bitch.” He tilted his head at me, his eyes darkening. “And let me guess…”

I took a seat. “It’s nothing.”

“Eve…”

I sighed and looked at him. “I’ve got it figured out.”

He shook his head slowly. “I hate this.”

I frowned, surprised at how hurt I felt. “This…”

“Not being able to be there for you.”

“Oh.” I thought he meant our sessions. I knew now he meant dealing with Ethan.

“Hearing and seeing him affect you like that…” Emery whispered, a sort of venom in his voice. “I know you don’t want to go out with him. You wouldn’t be this pissed at the idea. Unless I’m totally out of touch and somehow…”

“No, you’ve got it right,” I said. “It’s nothing. It’s just a problem from my past.”

He nodded, understanding. “I know you can take care of yourself. You don’t need to hear me say it, but I can’t help it… I hate being locked up and helpless to watch you go. And even if you don’t need my protection, I would give it to you completely.”

“Emery—”

“And if not that,” he continued, “then my support.” His hands clenched into fists. “I’m sorry…it’s like my sister all over again. I couldn’t help her. I was locked away and could do nothing, I could only listen to her cries and her screams, her pleas. I know this is nothing like that. But it feels the same anyway. I see it in your eyes, in your face. I see the anger, but I see the fear too. And I want to break him for it.”

I blinked at him, stunned. “You had the chance to. I saw…on the monitor.”

He bent his head and then…chuckled. “Yeah, what a fucking moron. But…I knew it would upset you. And I might not see you. It was an easy decision even if I was tempted.”

I swallowed. “I’m sorry you couldn’t save your sister.”

“She tried to save me in the end…” I was afraid, wondering if he might have another episode, remembering Dr. Hannah’s words. I lifted from my seat, ready to go to him if he were to slip away. Instead, I froze when he looked at me.

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