Page 39 of Unholy Nights

Let her run back to Madeline. Let her report every word. The game is changing, and it's time Madeline understood exactly who she's playing against.

I land one final punch, imagining Daniel Montgomery Jr.'s face this time. The thought of that entitled little prick anywhere near Emerald makes me want to rip him apart with my bare hands. He's a wolf in sheep's clothing, just like his father, and I'll be damned if I let him lay a finger her.

But I force the rage down, lock it away where it can't touch the plans I've spent two years perfecting.

Soon, I'll show Emerald the truth about her mother. About me. About everything.

But first, I need a shower. And then I need to make sure my little phoenix understands that no matter what Madeline says, no matter what she threatens, no matter what she does, she'll never take my girl from me.

The hot water runs red with my blood and sweat, the rainfall from the custom showerhead washing away the physical evidence of my workout. It does nothing to wash away the darkness coursing through my veins.

My knuckles sting under the water, and I examine them with clinical detachment. They're already bruising, but it's worth it.

I shut off the water and grab a towel, my mind already racing ahead to what needs to be done. Emerald will have questions about Charlotte—questions I need to answer before Madeline can poison her further against me. There’s also Emmitt, who appears to be licking his wounds, but I have no doubt he’ll crawl back out of his hole and become an issue at some point.

And then there's the matter of Daniel Montgomery Jr., that simpering little sociopath who thinks he has any right to touch what's mine.

One problem at a time.

I dress quickly in dark Kiton slacks and a white button-down, leaving the top buttons undone. No need for the full armor today—not when I'm planning to spend it with my girl.

I find her exactly where I knew she would be—in the living room, curled up in the window seat next to the Christmas tree like a cat seeking sunshine. She's wearing another one of her mother's approved outfits, an ice blue dress that makes her blend into the blue and silver flocked tree beside her.

She looks like an angel, and I can't wait to make her fall.

"Little one."

She startles at my voice, those big green eyes finding mine across the room. I can see the war being waged in them—the fear and longing and hope and doubt all swirling together and I fucking hate it.

"Cohen." My name on her lips is still the sweetest sound I've ever heard. "I... I didn't expect to see you this morning."

I cross the room, unable to resist the magnetic pull she has on me. "Where else would I be?"

She bites that bottom lip that drives me fucking insane, and I have to fist my hands at my sides to keep from reaching for her. "I thought maybe... after what my mother said..."

"Look at me." I wait until those evergreen eyes meet mine. "Nothing your mother says changes anything between us. Nothing."

"But what she said about your ex—"

Goddamn Madeline. Emerald’s trusting, but she’s also curious. It’s not fair of me to leave her in the dark when I can so easily put her fears to rest with the truth. It’s not really my secret to tell, but trust works both ways and Emerald deserves mine.

"Was manipulation," I cut in, settling beside her on the window seat. "Like everything else that comes out of her mouth."

Emerald's fingers stretch out and start playing with a button on my shirt and I don't even think she knows she's doing it.Her cheeks flush that gorgeous rose and I want to lick the color, taste it on her skin. "She said you were investigated. About the disappearance of your ex."

I take a deep breath. "It's true," I say, watching her carefully. "But not the way you think.

I study her face for a long moment, weighing how much truth to give her. But the fear lurking in her eyes makes the decision for me. I won't let Madeline's lies come between us.

"Charlotte was never my girlfriend," I say finally. "She was a friend of a client who needed help escaping an abusive marriage. Her husband, Gregory, was a powerful man who used that power to keep her trapped. To hurt her."

Understanding dawns in Emerald's eyes. "You helped her escape?"

"I did what needed to be done." I reach out, tucking a strand of dark hair behind her ear. "I created a new identity for her, helped her disappear so completely that even Gregory couldn't find her."

"And Gregory?"

My lips curl into a cold smile. "Let's just say he won't be hurting anyone else ever again."

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