Page 163 of At the Edge of Surrender

She looked like she was going to say more but stopped herself.

“You can tell me anything, Emery.”

Ironic considering I was hiding so much of myself.

“Maybe it’s just the way of grief. The unacceptance. No logical reason for it happening.” She seemed to settle on it, but I could tell that she didn’t believe it for a second.

“She have enemies?” My jaw clenched as I asked the question, unable to write it off so quickly. That disquiet turning to apprehension as I thought of Emmalee. This woman who I could barely remember but, of what I could, she had seemed completely carefree.

Until I found her snooping in my office.

That strange essence about her that had left me unsettled.

My guts clutched as I thought about how I’d cocked my head when I found her and told her,I think it’s time you leave.

It was the last I’d seen of her, and I’d pretty much never thought of her again.

Not until my little girl was standing in front of me.

“I don’t think so. Everyone loved her. She handled it so much better than I did. Didn’t let it stop her from enjoying her life. From meeting it head on and going after every experience.”

It.

Still, she kept me in the dark. A brick wall built between us where she kept herself protected.

My Little Warrior thinking she had to go it alone.

No more.

“Give me the details, and I’ll check into it.” I tried to form it as casual, but every word was grit.

A frown curled across her pretty face, and incredulity filled her question. “You’ll check into it?”

There was no stopping myself from giving her more of me than I should. Wanting to open that door but terrified of what she’d think if she really saw who I was.

“I have some connections.”

Cash who could crack anything.

Emery wavered for a moment before she shook her head. “No. I’m just being foolish. Conjuring something that isn’t there.” A self-deprecating smile pulled at one side of her mouth. “I’ve even convinced myself that someone is following me.”

I had her gathered up and straddling me in a flash.

Shock ripped out of her at the change of position. At the rage there was no doubt she could feel boiling out of me. “Someone’s been following you?”

She blinked. “No. I’ve never seen anyone. I?—”

“Won’t take the risk with you, Emery. If you think you’re in danger, in any way, I need to know.”

Fuck, I was shaking. Heart hemorrhaging in my chest. Felt like I was being cracked wide open.

Emery set one of those tender hands on my cheek. “There’s nothing for me to tell you.”

I pressed her hand tighter against my face. Relishing the burn of her palm. Knowing she could feel the intensity of mine where it covered hers.

Our gazes locked.

Energy crackled and lapped. This bond vibrating between us.

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