Page 69 of Splintered Memories
“Come on,” she said, impatient. “I don’t wanna miss this song.”
Reluctantly, I stepped away from Emersyn, my mind spinning. I touched the tip of her nose with a fingertip. “Don’t move,” I commanded. “I’ll be backfor you.”
And then I stepped away, letting my sweet niece drag me toward the dance floor, my knees quaking as I held Emersyn’s stare for as long as possible.
Emersyn was either going to be the end of me, or she was going to save me. I’d decided it was worth the risk. If anyone could make me feel even the slightest bit whole again, it was her.
It had always been her.
26
Emersyn
MylipstingledasI watched him walk away. I leaned my head against the wall, trying to catch my erratic breath.
My entire body felt electrified. The aftershocks of his touch vibrated across my skin. I wasn’t sure what it was about this night that stoked my bravery, but when I had looked up and August was that close, all I wanted was him.
Apparently I decided I’m not in the business of denying myself even a sliver of happiness right now.
My body was still overheated; my skin flushed and sweaty—I needed some fresh air. I needed a minute to calm my frenzied heart.
On wobbly legs, I walked toward the entrance to the hallway and peeked into the main event room. The space was still filled with people dancing and having a good time. A slow love song played through the speakers, and I caught a glimpse of Lark and Reid wrapped up in each other as they swayed on the dance floor.
My eyes caught on the back of a familiar head. August was holding Hailey, her head rested on his shoulder, her legs wrapped around hiswaist as he rocked back and forth to the song. The sight of him with that little girl had something in my chest utterly melting.
More heat rushed my face, and I glanced toward the entrance. There was no one around, and I made a beeline for it, slipping out into the cold, dark night. I wouldn’t be long, just enough time to let the breeze cool my skin.
Outside, it was so quiet compared to the party a mere few steps away. The night songs rang through the air, mixing with the rustling of the trees and the lapping of the water on the lakeshore.
I tilted my head up toward the night sky; the stars twinkled above me. I savored the tendrils of wind that blew my hair back from my face.
I let out a content sigh as I stepped over to the lake. I couldn’t see much of the water, there weren’t any lights out here, but the moonlight reflected off the undulating surface. My toes touched the boundary where the plush grass met the rocks lining the lake, and I wrapped my arms around myself, the wind having turned my sweat-slicked skin to ice.
Something was rising in my chest, filling all the spaces between my ribs and heart. It was an aching, needy feeling that I’d never felt before. Something that I suspected wouldn’t be placated by anyone other than August Ramsey.
I wasn’t sure how we’d gotten here. I wasn’t sure how I’d let myself embrace such a dangerous feeling, but here I was.
Despite myself, my lips hitched, pulling up into a smile that wouldn’t be stanched. And maybe I didn’t want to stop it. Maybe after all this time, after all this pain and hiding from everything that could hurt me, I was ready to accept something good. Something beautiful.
I let out one final breath, drinking in the sight of the moonlight on the deep, dark water. I couldn’t be gone long; August would be looking for me. I didn’t want to worry him.
I was about to turn around and head back into the cabin, when something hard and cold jabbed into the base of my neck.
I flinched, but a voice made every bone in my body turn to solid ice.
“Don’t move,” the deep, gravelly voice barked from behind me. “You’re going to follow every word I say or else I’ll blow your damn brains out.”
The solid object pressed harder into the base of my skull, sending my heart into my throat. An image of the muzzle of a gun, pressed right against my skin, flashed in my mind.
Words evaded me, my ribs constricting in panic around my lungs. I scanned the area with wide, frantic eyes, looking for anyone or anything that could help me. There was nothing but the silent expanse of water.
“Raise your hands,” the voice behind me commanded.
I obeyed, lifting my arms slowly at my sides, palms out. “What do you want?” Only a slight waver in the last word gave away my consuming fear.
A low, humorless laugh sent a shiver down my spine.
“What do I want?” The voice scoffed, and I noticed a shred of familiarity about it. “I’ve given you many chances to save yourself. It’s your stubbornness that’ll get you killed.”
