“You mean a lot,” she said softly. She looked him straight in the eyes and said, “I’m so sorry that I listened to the Voice and came here under false pretenses, but I think heaven must’ve guided my path and everything about us meeting. In nine days …” She shouldn’t do it, but Emery had never been one to hold back. “I’ve gone from afraid and uncertain to comfortable and attracted to plummeting straight down the tunnel of in love with you, Greer.”
He smiled slightly, and then he kissed her. He easily lifted her onto his lap and he kissed her tenderly and beautifully. She savored every moment of it.
When he pulled back, he said, “You don’t hate me?”
Emery ran her fingers through his hair and then down to his broad, strong shoulders. These shoulders would protect her and shelter her from any storm. She’d been right when she’d imagined the analogy of Greer protecting her from the wind, the rain, and the lightning. He was so incredible.
“Hate you? How could I ever hate you? I love you, Greer Delta. I cherish you. I treasure you. I adore you. I revere you. Isavoryou.”
He chuckled at that. Then he pulled her close and gave her a long, drugging kiss. She wasn’t sure which way was up. She cuddled against his chest after the kiss ended and just relished being close to him, his strength, his unique musk and leather scent, his patience, his goodness.
She needed to tell him all about the Voice tricking her into coming here and find out what they should do next. She needed to ask him if he knew who really killed Travis; if it was the Voice or someone who had lied to the Deltas. If so, they were both in danger. It sounded like his family could help them as well. She was so safe with him and loved him far too much.
The thought of danger was enough to bring her head off his shoulder and the drowsy beauty of peace and love to a stuttering halt. “Greer. We might be in danger. The man who contacted me about you killing Travis.” His arms seemed to tighten around her. “He tricked me into coming here. He had a video of Travis talking to me and everything the Voice said about the Navy lined up as well. So I bought into the idea of finishing what Travis had started for our country’s protection and avenging my brother’s death.”
Greer’s brow furrowed.
“The Voice—that’s what I call him because I have no name—gave me all the information and ideas. He gave me two hundred thousand dollars and a fake ID. I think he’s a bad guy, even though he tried to be nice to me. He’s been texting me. He wants whatever weapon you and your family are protecting.” She drew in a breath and pursed her lips, trying to think how they could find the voice. “Can you trace a text?”
“Papa could.”
“Oh, good. Your papa can help keep us safe from him?”
“Yes. My family can.”
She breathed out in relief and stared at his handsome face in the dimly lit room. He was so appealing to her. “I know the Voice lied to me about everything. Claiming you killed Travis. How could anybody claim that? You’re so good and genuine and pure.”
His body stiffened against hers.
“Greer?” she stared at him, and a dart of horror went through her. “Greer?”
He stared at her, but said nothing.
“Greer?” she squeaked.
“Emery,” he said softly, his blue eyes filled with pain and regret. He searched her gaze and the seconds dragged on painfully. Emery was terrified of what he was going to say. She wanted to put her hands over her ears and run away screaming.
Greer swallowed and then admitted in a low, gravelly voice, “I did kill Travis.”
The thin dart of horror became a raging, massive river of molten lava. Emery shoved herself off his lap. She fell to the floor in a painful heap. Greer reached for her, but she batted his hand away and sprang to her feet, backing up.
Greer stood and faced her. His expression was full of remorse and sorrow, but she could read his face so well and she knew one thing for certain. He was telling the truth.
“You killed my brother?” she gasped out. “Why?”
“He was going to kill my cousin and her boyfriend. I had to.”
“Youhadto shoot my only brother in the head, execution style, like some monster? There was no other option to protect your cousin and boyfriend?”
Greer opened his mouth, but she overrode him.
“How could you? How could you murder a loyal, devoted patriot to his country? My brother and protector? How could you?” She was shrieking now. “I talked myself into believing the Voice had lied. I talked myself into believing you were a good guy.” She put a hand to her mouth. Her body shook. “How could you kiss me? Pretend you cared about me? You lied to me, betrayed me. Youmurderedmy brother.”
Greer only shook his head. He didn’t say a word.
Emery wanted to yell at him, rant and rave, hit him a whole bunch of times, but she was so sick to her stomach and heartbroken. She had to escape. She’d fallen head over heels for this man and he’d killed her brother. What was wrong with her? What was wrong with him? How could he be so hardened and awful and calloused and devoid of any integrity or emotion to invite her into his house, lie to her that he’d protect her, make her fall in love with him, kiss her like he had? He’d known the entire time that he’d killed her brother. Greer Delta must be a hardened killer and the most impressive liar she’d ever met.
She ran into the bedroom, slammed and locked the door. Sadly, she knew that wouldn’t keep him out. She dragged an overstuffed chair in front of the door for good measure. At least that would slow him down. Then she ran to the bathroom and shoved anything of hers into her backpack.
Looking at her phone, she saw she had texts from the Voice, but she didn’t know if she could trust him either. She didn’t know who she could trust. She had lots of friends, but no one she could turn to in an emergency like this. She had never felt so alone, bereft, scared, and angry in her life.
Kneeling quickly, she prayed for help, strength, protection, and the ability to see clearly. Standing, she stared at herself in the mirror. Her lips and cheeks were red from all the kissing. Her eyes were red, and she hadn’t even started the crying fest she wanted to have.
She had to get out of here. That was all she knew. Sadly, she’d have to wait until Greer was asleep to sneak out. She couldn’t handle facing him again, and if he tried to touch her or make excuses or claim he cared about her … she might strangle him.