“I didn’t tell you.”
Ryder’s features soften as he makes his way to me.
“Just promise me this, no more secrets, no more hiding things.”
“I promise.”
His large arms engulf me and hold me close to him. He’s trying to protect me, and I’m reveling in the affection of a man who wants to save me, not destroy me.
“So, what do we do?” It’s not like I understand what in the hell I’m doing or how to even protect myself from a man like Devlin. Clearly. If that were the case, I wouldn’t be in this mess.
“You stay here. I protect you.”
Funny thing, he doesn’t realize that’s what he’s been doing this whole time. Never in my life have I felt safer than I have with him.
“And what, we just sit here and hope he goes away?” I shake my head. “No, I can’t do that.”
“You don’t really have much choice.”
“Yes, I do. I leave. I go someplace he can’t find me.”
Ryder rolls his eyes. “He’s looking for you, Ember, and I got the impression he won’t stop until he finds you.”
Tears roll down my cheeks.
“It’s going to be okay,” he tells me. “I will never let anything happen to you.”
As much as I believe him, I fear the extent to which Devlin will go. The danger I’m putting all of us in, including Amelia.
Hazel walks into the kitchen, stopping dead in her tracks when she sees me in tears.
“Hey, what’s going on? What is it? What’s wrong?”
“Devlin’s here.”
Her arms wrap around me. “Oh, Em…”
“It’s going to be okay. We’re going to put this to an end once and for all.” Ryder sounds so confident, I almost believe him.
Almost.
Guys like Devlin don’t go away that easily. They don’t give up or relent.
I’m his, and he’ll do whatever is in his power to keep me like that.
“See, it’s all going to be okay,” Hazel says, still trying to comfort me.
I nod, pretending I agree when I know for certain they’re both wrong.
With all the new circumstances and Hazel’s involvement, Ryder thought it best for her to take some additional safety precautions as well. When Officer Joe arrives, Ryder fills him in, and they go over safety protocols before he and Hazel head home.
Exhausted, I ascend the stairs.
“Where are you going?” Ryder asks.
I stop, my hand on the railing. “To bed. I’m tired.”
“I’ll be up in a little while.” He meets me on the steps, pressing a kiss to my shoulder. “I just want to get an update from Mark.”