I drop a kiss on her lips. "What do you need?"
She looks at me, and something in her expression shifts—from desolation to something softer, more vulnerable. She wraps her arms tight around me, burrowing against my shoulder. "Just you," she says, her voice muffled against my shirt. "I just need you."
It feels like my entire chest explodes—not from fear, not from rage this time, but from relief so sharp it almost hurts.
I cradle her to me so there’s no space left between us. I lower my head, pressing my nose to her strawberry-scented hair, my eyes burning. No one’s ever needed me like this. No one’s ever chosen me.
“Yeah, sunshine, you’ve got me.” I kiss the top of her head, holding her even closer. “For as long as you want, you’ve got me.”
53
HARPER
Day one of unemployment, and I’m already at a loss.
Fortunately, Emma’s here.
She sets a mug of coffee in front of me before sliding into the chair across from mine at her kitchen table.
Taking the cup in my hands, I look into it. “This has whiskey in it, right?”
She gives me a smile that’s caught between humor and concern. “It’s ten in the morning.”
“And your point is?” I sip the hot beverage, not really tasting it anyway. I’m still discombobulated after everything last night. I can’t believe I’m here at Blackthorn.
It’s as different from the house I grew up in as you can get. Modern, understated luxury. I remember my dad saying the people who owned it before spent a fortune remodeling it and then decided they didn’t want to live here. I wouldn’t have expected three retired Delta Force soldiers to live someplace like this.
I look out the window. Luke was gone when I woke up a little while ago, and I hadn’t seen Mason or Jake this morning either. “Where is everyone?”
“Working. They have an ops center hidden in the stable.”
I raise my brow. “Like Batman?”
“Please ask Luke to dress up for you.” She leans toward me, her eyes wide with mischief. “And when he does, take a picture. I’d pay big bucks to see that.”
“When?” I say doubtfully.
“Babe, that man would do anything for you.” She sits back, studying me over the rim of her mug, her expression turning serious. “So how bad is it?”
Staring down at my coffee, I exhale. “I resigned. I haven’t turned in my badge yet, but I’ll do that when I go to pack up my stuff.”
Her expression doesn’t change. No pity, no shock—just understanding. Six months ago, I would’ve sworn she was the soft one out of this group, but I’m starting to see soft and strong are synonymous.
I swallow hard. “I’m sorry, Emma.”
She frowns at me. “For what?”
“My dad knew.” It’s been bothering me for weeks, but especially since I saw all the other cases loaded up behind it. “My dad knew yours was in trouble and didn’t do anything.”
She reaches across the table and wraps her hand around mine. “I’m not sure it would have made any difference in the end. Even if your dad had done something, I think we’d be sitting right here, in the same situation.”
“It doesn’t make it right,” I muttered.
“It doesn’t make it your responsibility.” Her grip tightens on my hand. “Let me tell you something I had to learn the hard way. The people we love can make terrible choices, but it doesn’t mean those choices become yours.”
I look up at her and see the belief shining from her eyes, and for the first time since I found the files hidden in the evidence room, I let myself believe that might be true.
Then something shifts.