Page 118 of Hot Knot Summer
“I know enough.” His voice is fierce, possessive. “I know you’re brave enough to leave everything behind and start over. You’re strong enough to build a career. You’re loyal enough to put up with Chad’s shit for months. And you’re generous enough to worry about some stranger’s property even when you’re the victim here.”
His words chip away at the panic, replacing it with something warmer. Hope, maybe. Or just the desperate need to believe that this time will be different.
“We should go,” I say finally, my voicestill shaky. “If there’s going to be a legal battle, I need to start preparing.”
“There’s not going to be a legal battle,” Atlas says with quiet certainty. “Trust me on this.”
I look up at him. “Why not?”
He’s quiet for a moment, then sighs. “The cabin owner, Martin Greene, is a local businessman, owns a few rental properties around the county. He’s also got a reputation for being litigious—sues at the drop of a hat, usually settles out of court for nuisance money.”
“So, he’s going to bleed me dry.”
“No, he’s not.” Atlas’s smile is sharp and predatory. “Because Martin also has a habit of cutting corners on his rental properties. Faulty wiring, broken smoke detectors, expired fire extinguishers. Levi’s already found three code violations in the preliminary report.”
For the first time since the phone rang, I can breathe properly. “So if he tries to sue me...”
“We counter with negligence. Failure to maintain safe premises. A dozen building code violations that put his tenants at risk.” Atlas’s grin is all teeth. “Trust me. Martin is not going to want this to go to court.”
Relief floods through me, so intense, it’s almost painful. I throw my arms around his neck, pressing my face against his throat. “Thank you,” I whisper. “Thank you for not letting me face this alone.”
“Never,” he murmurs into my hair. “You’re ours now, Emma. We protect what’s ours.”
The possessive words should probably bother me,but instead, they make me feel safe in a way I haven’t felt in years. Protected. Cherished.
We pack up the picnic. When Atlas loads the basket into the truck, I catch his hand.
“This was perfect,” I tell him. “Before the phone call, I mean. This whole day… it’s been perfect.”
“The first of many,” he promises, then kisses me softly. “Come on. Let’s go home and deal with this Martin situation. Together.”
Home. The word settles into my chest like a warm glow. For the first time in longer than I can remember, I actually have one that feels like it did when my parents and grandma were still alive.
And I believe every word Atlas said about sticking by my side.
20
EMMA
I’m back in my shorts and t-shirt, the memory of our perfect morning at the river feeling like a lifetime ago as I pace the length of the watchtower. The wooden floorboards creak under my restless steps, and I can’t stop wringing my hands despite knowing it betrays every anxious thought spiraling through my mind.
Atlas is outside on the balcony when the grunt of a vehicle sounds from down below. In no time, Levi and River join us, and with Atlas, they all move indoors with me.
“Sit down, sweet thing,” Levi says softly, gesturing to the chair I’ve claimed as my writing throne.
“I don’t want to sit down.” The words tumble out sharper than I intended, edged with panic. “Just tell me. How bad is everything?”
River runs a hand through his golden hair, leaving it even more tousled than usual. “It’s... complicated.”
“The fire was definitely started by a candle,” Levi begins. “The burn patterns, the point of origin, everything confirms it, including part of the candle remnants.”
My knees nearly buckle, and I have to grab the edge of my desk to stay upright. “I knew it. I fucking knew it was my fault.”
“Emma, wait—” Atlas starts, but I’m already drowning.
“God, I’m such an idiot. I should have checked it twice, three times. I should have never lit the damn thing in the first place. Now some poor man’s property is destroyed, and I’m going to lose everything I’ve worked for, and?—”
“Stop.” River’s voice cuts through my spiral like a blade. “Just stop for a second and listen to what we’re actually telling you.”
