Page 25 of Splintered Memories
Something blossomed in my chest. I wasn’t sure why it was so different when it was Amos wanting to look out for me instead of my father. Maybe it was because Tristan Hawthorn hadn’t earned the trust he thought was his by birthright.
I looked up into my uncle’s face. “How long are you planning on staying?”
He curled his hand over my shoulder. “Why? You want to get rid of me already?” A smile played on his lips.
I rolled my eyes and shoved his hand away playfully. “You know that’s not true.”
He grinned again. “I’ll be here for a while. Might be looking to settle back down.”
“Really?” I tried not to let the excitement swelling in my chest get the better of me.
He nodded. “It’s been awhile since I’ve had roots, and I’m getting old. It might be good for me.”
I chuckled. “I mean, you’re not wrong about that. You are old.” I squinted at his hair. “I’m pretty sure you got more gray in there than brown now.”
He shoved a hand through his hair with a smirk. “That’s all right—the ladies love a silver fox.”
I rolled my eyes again but couldn’t erase the smile from my face. “It would be great, if you decided to stay.” If Amos was here, he could help me look out for Jake. My brother deserved all the support he was offered. An invisible weight on my shoulders eased.
Amos gave me another smile, warm and steady. “I think so too.” He reached for my shoulder again, fingers tighteningreassuringly.
My insides clenched. I hadn’t realized how much I’d missed him. Amos had left for missions shortly after Delainey had died. Losing my sister and the only adult in my life who I trusted all at once had been—hard. I had been all on my own, with no one to lean on. There was no one but myself to count on. Then when Jake had gone off and smothered his grief with drugs, I’d been his support, too. I took care of him, and myself, because there was no one else.
Amos let his hand drop. “We’ll have plenty of time to catch up, but I have some work I need to do.” He checked his watch. “I haven’t been here in person for a while and I have a meeting with the staff in a few minutes.”
I nodded, slightly disappointed he had to go already. “Oh, okay.”
“We should have dinner sometime soon, both you and your brother.”
My smile returned. “Definitely.”
“Take care of yourself, Emy-Su.”
He gave me a small wave and then headed toward the stairs back down into the cafe.
I turned, watching him go, feeling better about things. At least, I was, until someone stalked through the doors of the cafe, shoulders rigid and brows drawn low and tight over stormy gray eyes.
My heart hurled into overdrive at August Ramsey’s presence. I’d forgotten, for a moment, that I’d abandoned him—snuck away without a word.
He did not look pleased about it.
His eyes scanned the lower level of the coffee shop, and I turned, hurrying deeper into the stacks on the second level.
I wasn’t ready to face him. A spark of remorse hit in my chest, but it didn’t stop my feet as they headed for the back staircase. It was hiddenbehind a door that claimed it was for “employees only,” but I ignored that sign as I pushed right through and took the stairs two at a time. They led to the rear exit, and a spring breeze rustled the loose strands of hair around my face as I hurried outside. Dumpsters and a small parking lot for employees stretched out before me. I leaned against the rough brick wall of the building, letting my heart calm.
It was silly to run away like that. Eventually, he would find me. I couldn’t run from August—my freakingbodyguard—forever.
I told myself I didn’t care. I wanted to cling to whatever minutes of solitude I could.
Or perhaps I was just a coward.
With a sigh, I turned, walking toward the alley between Latte Pages and the bridal shop. My car was parked on Center Street. Maybe I’d hide in there for a while.
As I rounded the corner, entering the alley, I grimaced at the coffee shop, realizing I hadn’t gotten to finish my coffee. The buzz from the champagne was already gone and it wouldn’t be long until I could drive myself home.
My body reacted before my brain did.
My muscles stiffened as heavy footsteps met my ears. I came to an abrupt stop. The footsteps came from behind me, and fast, gravel crunching underneath thick soles. I didn’t have time to turn around before someone grabbed me, flinging me like a boneless puppet and slamming me face-first into the side of the building.
