Page 145 of Edge of Unbroken

My mom dabs at her cheeks, trying to erase her tears without smudging her makeup, but it’s too late. “So, now what? What are the police doing about Adam?”

“We’re in pursuit,” a beefy officer with a bald head says gruffly. “He’s not getting away this time.”

Mr. Walker sighs. “Let’s hope you’re right.”

Tuesday, March 22nd

Cat

There was no more news about Adam last night. Not a peep, and I was beginning to believe he got away yet again.

I kept replaying the moment Adam showed up. He was completely unaffected when he saw I wasn’t alone. He was so damn certain of himself and the fact that he could andwouldoverpower me. And I know that’s what he planned to do—overpower me, do with me as he saw fit. The thought that he was still out there, still lurking, probably planning his next attack, kept me up all night. He’d make sure I was completely alone next time. It makes me never want to leave my house alone again. I hate living in fear like this.

It was around three in the morning when the anxious thoughts peaked, and I got out of bed. I could no longer lie there; I needed to move around, do something to take my mind off the fear that had taken up residence in my chest.

I picked up my phone, then dialed Ronan’s number. When he picked up after only the second ring, I began to cry—elated at hearing his voice, at the fact that he was back home, at the knowledge that I wasn’t alone.

About twenty minutes into our call, Ronan suddenly said, “Go downstairs and let me in.”

I stopped wandering my room, not certain if I understood him. “What?”

“I’m outside.”

“You are?” I whimpered, already tiptoeing out of my room and down the stairs, hoping the creaky hardwood floor wouldn’t wake my mom in her bedroom downstairs.

“Yeah. I thought maybe you’d need a hug, or… I don’t know. I can stay with you. I can sneak back out early before your mom wakes up. I just thought you needed me… maybe,” he said so sweetly, my breath shuddered with emotion.

“I do need you,” I said only a fraction of a second before I unlocked the front door.

There he stood in his gray sweatpants, his torso covered by a black hooded sweatshirt, shoulders shrugged up to shield against the chilly night air, his phone still to his ear. I smiled at his bed hair. He was perfect.

The moment Ronan was inside and the door locked behind him, he swept me into his arms, one arm under my knees, the other on my back, and carried me upstairs and into my room. He didn’t make a single sound—even the floorboards stayed silent. I don’t think I ever realized how light-footed he is, especially for someone of his stature.

“You’re stealthy,” I said once he laid me back against my pillows only to join me underneath my blanket.

He chuckled quietly. “I’ve learned to ensure that my presence goes unnoticed as much as possible,” he said and pulled me against him.

“Well, I never want your presence to go unnoticed by me.” I sighed and inhaled him deeply, my eyes closing on their own as his scent wound its way into my nose, my cells, my DNA. Finally I found rest cradled in Ronan’s arms, and I fell asleep within minutes.

***

The sound of light throat clearing causes me to blink my eyes open seemingly only minutes after I close them. But I’m wide awake the second my mom’s rosy face comes into focus, and I realize Ronan is still very much asleep next to me. So much for sneaking back out before anyone can catch us.

Immediately I begin to explain myself. “I was scared last night. I couldn’t sleep, so I called Ran, and he—”

“It’s okay, Kitty,” my mom says in a hushed tone. “I’m not mad. It’s time for school, sweet pea. I’ll drop you off on my way to the office” she says, then turns to leave my room, but looks back over her shoulder. “Just, please be safe.”

“No, Mom, we didn’t do anything. We literally just… slept.”

She nods. “Okay. But maybe don’t say anything to your dad about Ran staying the night.”

I get up and ready, then gently rouse Ronan, who looks utterly freaking adorable with his sleepy expression. “I have to go to school,” I tell him as he sits up in bed and adjusts his hoodie. It had ridden up in his sleep, exposing his beautiful, tight abs. Not me drooling over here.

“I’ll walk you. Do you have five minutes for me to head to the bathroom really quick?” he says, making my heart do stupid little somersaults in my chest.

Ronan disappears into the bathroom, and I meet my mom downstairs, urging her to head to the office and letting her know that Ronan will be walking me to school.

“Okay. Have your phone on you. Is Ran picking you back up, too, or do I need to clear my afternoon?” she asks just as Ronan descends the stairs. His hair is damp like he ran his wet hands through it to tame it, and he looks refreshed and bright.

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