AllFreeNovel
Share Us
When I get out of here, I’m going to kill him.
If I let my eyes fall closed now, I can imagine what it would be like to get my hands around that asshole’s throat, to choke the life right out of him.
What the hell is his problem?
“Oh, you’re awake again.”
Emma’s sunshine voice breaks through my thoughts, her bright eyed and chipper attitude filling up the room, making it feel a million times warmer.
How is she still this happy after everything we just went through?
“Let me take a look at your injury,” she continues, completely ignoring my silence. “Sit up, so I can have a proper look at your wound. Maybe I can redress it.”
Silently, I do exactly what she asks for. I hold up my t-shirt and let her hands explore my skin.
I keep my eyes fixed on her while she carefully peels back my band aid to clean the wound. This takes me back to the times we shared in the health clinic, when she didn’t know who I was, and life felt a lot simpler.
“It isn’t looking too bad now,” Emma tells me with a sweet smile. “Thank goodness, I’ve been worried about you, but I think you’re going to be okay.”
“Good job you’re here to care for me.”
“This is a nice place. I like it. But there’s a lot going on around here. It definitely isn’t as private as the cabin in the woods. Are you sure this is a safe house?”
“It’s not my first choice,” I admit. “Obviously that’s the cabin. But I’m thinking we can blend in more here. We shouldn’t get ambushed again.”
A dark shadow crosses her face at the mention of the ambush, which I completely understand. It was a horrible time—no one should have to go through anything like that. In trying to protect her, I only ended up putting her in the line of danger.
I can’t keep this up.
Weshouldn’t keep doing this.
But as I try to imagine getting through every single day without her there, I can’t do it.
Yep, it’s official. I’mwaytoo attached to Emma.
“So we can walk around here then?” she asks as she finishes up. “Because I could use a little walk, when you’re feeling up to it.”
I nod, trying to rise to my feet, even if it isn’t the easiest thing to do. I have a lot of making up to do, and I want to start now.
I need to let Emma see that she’s safe here.
“Yeah, let’s go for a walk now. I can show you the area.”
I reach out for her hand, but she doesn’t immediately take it.
Something has definitely shifted in the air between us.
I can’t blame Emma for that, but I do want to get things back to where they were.
As I finally get hold of her hand, I can’t help but notice that her nails have been chewed right down.
Shit, I’ve made her more anxious than I thought possible.
“Wait… your monitor?” I ask as I look at her ankle.
She extends her leg, no ankle monitor in sight. “I had some time on my hands and a screw driver from the kitchen draw.”
I want to apologize for practically keeping her prisoner with it, but there’s no point in wallowing in that right now. I did what I thought was best at the time. I wanted to keep her safe.
