Page 124 of Ruthless Game

“I’m so sorry,” I said instead. “I can’t imagine the pain you’re going through. What can I do?” I asked honestly, instead. “I want to help.”

Will shook his head. “The synagogue is helping with the funeral, which is tomorrow. I don’t know if the hospital will release you by then⁠—”

“I’ll be there,” I promised.

It really was the least I could do.

We sat in silence for a bit, as Emma and I held space for her parents and their grief.

“You know,” Will said slowly. “Losing one son is the worst feeling in the world, but I know Jeffrey would be glad we still have a second one.” He looked between me and Emma. “Or son-in-law, I gather, at least one day.”

“Dad—” Emma protested gently.

“Soon,” I promised, voice firm. “But I’m your son, regardless. You’re the closest thing I’ve ever had to a father, Mr. Schwartz.”

His smile was grim, but it was there. “I’m honored to be that for you.” He glanced at his wife. “We’re exhausted, and we’re sure you are, too. We’ll see you in the morning, okay? Emma, are you—” he trailed off.

“I’m not going anywhere,” she said firmly. “If the hospital tries to kick me out, I’ll sneak right back in.” She looked at her mom. “Unless you want me home with you. I’m here for whatever you need.”

“No,” Linda said firmly. “Stay with Lawson. Your father and I …” her voice broke, and then Emma was pulling her mother into her arms and holding her as she sobbed.

“Mom, I’m so sorry,” Emma murmured, as Linda continued to cry.

Finally, she pulled away, rubbing at her face. “I think your father and I need to spend some time together, to grieve. But we’ll see you both in the morning?”

“Of course you will,” I said.

They hugged us one more time, and then they were also gone, and we were alone again.

“I hurt for them,” Emma said. “And I hate that they’ll never know the truth, and we’ll have to carry this secret forever. But then I think about telling them what really happened, and how much more that would hurt them, knowing who he truly was.”

I stroked her hair. “It’s better this way. Now please, tell me everything that happened.”

She did. After I disappeared under water, Jack and Isaac had come around the other side of the gorge. They both went in after me, managing to pull me and Emma out. They untied Emma, who, barely conscious, had helped them concoct the story: Jeffrey wanted to go gorge jumping, Emma tried to stop him, he fell in, and she went after him. Worried, I’d gone to the gorge to find them. When I’d seen her and Jeffrey in the water, I’d gone in after them, somehow slashing my neck against a rock, which explained the shallow cut—but Jeffrey had “unfortunately” hit his head against a rock, and I only managed to rescue Emma.

With Jack’s billionaire brother’s … encouragement, the police had called it a “horrible accident” and left it at that. The dean was enforcing stricter rules around students going down to the gorge. Unfortunate, because it was still Emma’s and my spot, but I figured after everything that had happened, the rock had lost its sheen.

It didn’t matter. Emma and I would find a new spot.

A million of them.

“I love you,” I told her. “Now, kiss me.”

And, like the good girl she was, she did.

My good girl.

My goddess.

My Starburst.

Mine.

EPILOGUE ONE

Emma

“What do you two bitches think you’re doing?”