Page 34 of At the Edge of Surrender

“I’m going to be an astronaut and flyawwthe way up in the sky.”

“To the moon?” my mother played along.

“No way, Grammy, not the moon. We already been there. I gotta go to Mars or Venus.”

My spirit clutched because I knew she didn’t understand that her mommy would never get to tell her that she was smart again. Wouldn’t get to see her grow and become an astronaut or a doctor or whatever amazing thing that she would become.

Blowing out a strained sigh, I forced myself to unfold the letter, and for what had to have been the thousandth time, I let my eyes trace over the flowing script that I knew so well.

Dear Emery,

If you found this, then I guess I’m gone. God, I can’t even bring myself to imagine what that might be like. Not being here with you. Not being here with her.

Our childhood was so simple and so good. Do you remember how we always played? Laughing. Teasing. Sharing secrets that neither of us could ever keep since we could never keep a thing from the other. The two of us were the only thing either of us ever needed.

Except, I kept a secret from you. I told you that I didn’t know who Maci’s father was. I told you he was some random guy that I hooked up with after going out with friends for drinks one night.

But that was a lie.

I knew his name.

I shouldn’t have kept it from either of you. It was wrong, but I had my reasons.

And if I’m gone, then he needs to know about Maci. He needs to, Emery. I know you don’t understand, but I need you to trust me.

Go to him. Find him. Give him the chance to raise her. She deserves to have a father like him. I believe he’ll know what to do. He’ll protect her and take her into his sanctum. I know it.

I’m sorry. I never wanted to hurt you, especially if it comes down to a situation like this. I know how much you love her and would do anything for her.

So please, do this for me.

You are my other half. Not my opposite, but the one I see when I’m looking in the mirror. My confidant. My heart. My twin.

My sweet, sweet sister.

I love you so much. Forever. No matter where this life takes us or when it ends.

Xoxo ~ Emmalee

Kane Asher

17364 Dove Trail Lane

Moonlit Ridge, California

Hot tears poured down my cheeks as I read the last of the words, and I sniffled, trying to sop them up with the back of my hand.

Why, Emmalee? Why didn’t you tell me? Why wouldn’t you trust me with this?

Because that little girl had been the other half of my heart for the last four years, and what I didn’ttrustwas putting her in a stranger’s hands.

Did she even know this guy? His lifestyle? His conscience? Had she been secretly dating him?

Had she not noticed what I immediately recognized last night?

The wickedness he exuded that made me certain he was dangerous?

Maybe that’s why I’d wanted him so badly. Because so often it was only fear that could chase away the numbness.

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