Page 48 of Out to Find Freedom

“We’ll be rotating shifts to keep an eye out,” Killer said. “No one will get to you.”

“What about Harriet?”

“We’ll have her house and whereabouts covered as well,” Killer replied.

Lan smiled softly at her. “You don’t have anything to worry about.”

Finally she nodded, but I could see how tense her body was locked. She didn’t believe him. How could she trust after what she’d been through?

“Do you think you could answer some questions, Emerson?” Lan asked.

“Yes,” she whispered.

Fucking hell, she needed more food, rest, and some damn peaceful sleep. I knew she wouldn’t get it until this last dickhead was found. Even then, nightmares would still plague her. Why did I want to wrap her up and hide her away from everything that could hurt her?

Chapter Sixteen

Emerson

As I told the officer, Lan Davis, everything I knew and everything I went through, my mind replayed his words over and over. Each time it tore at my belly.

There was one still out there.

One Gloria could contact to hunt me or Harriet down.

I wasn’t safe. Not yet.

She could tell him Ryan’s part of the night. He could be after Ryan.

Ryan, who hadn’t really looked at me since sitting there. Ryan, who had made me a drink and a sandwich. Ryan, who I couldn’t stop glancing at out the corner of my eye. What would he think when hearing everything? I couldn’t read his reaction; his face was a blank mask as he watched Lan question me.

“T-that’s everything I know,” I said. Julian squeezed my arm. I glanced at him with a grateful smile. He’d been amazing. I’d be leaving Ryan’s house to stay at Julian’s. But I didn’t want to. Everything in me demanded I stay right there, but I wouldn’t. Julian was being kind enough to take me in, so I wouldn’t decline it.

It seemed Ryan had thought it’d be best, or he would have gotten me to stay there with him. Right? I thought he might have, but his blank face didn’t react when Julian said I’d be going home with him and Mattie.

It wasn’t that I didn’t appreciate the offer. God, I was so very grateful for Julian. So much so I could cry. Only, I just… it was strange and crazy, but I felt safer with Ryan. My heart told me he was familiar.

But I wouldn’t stay where I wasn’t wanted.

Not that I knew he didn’t want me there.

I rubbed at my temples. The headache beating at my brain grew worse with all the thinking.

Lan’s hand touched my knee, and I jumped. He took it away quickly.

Ryan cursed, but before I could look at him, Lan spoke. “Thank you. That’s more than enough.”

I nodded. Exhaustion had taken hold, so I blinked lazily at him.

“She needs sleep,” Ryan stated, moving from his position near the stairs. He came forward, held out his hand to Lan. “Keep me posted.”

Lan took his hand and shook it. “I will.” Lan stood, and he looked down at me. “You’ll be okay,” he told me, and I wasn’t sure I had an answer because I didn’t know if I would be.

It counted that I was free. Boy, did it count. It helped me breathe easier.

But the nightmares I knew would follow kept my mind mixed up.

My body ached, my head swam, but a lot of it felt like it was coming from the thought of leaving Ryan Warden.

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