Page 52

She huffs, but there’s no heat behind it. Instead, she looks away, her shoulders slumping further. The fight in her seems to drain out, replaced by the exhaustion that weighs heavy on her.
“We’ll just chill for tonight,” I say gently. “You can get some rest. You don’t have to decide anything right now.”
Ember bites her lip, her gaze darting to the door and then back to me. The weight of her exhaustion seems to settle deeper in her bones.
“Just tonight?” she whispers, her voice barely audible.
“Just tonight.” Relief floods me, and I nod. I offer her a small smile. “Let me at least make you something to eat, okay?”
She hesitates, then nods, managing a weak smile. I head to the kitchen and throw together a simple meal of sandwiches. When I return, Ember’s curled up in the corner of the sofa, my shirt pulled tight around her like armor.
Aria has retreated to one of the bedrooms to try and get some sleep, leaving Ember and me alone. I hand her a plate, and she takes it, her fingers brushing mine.
“Thank you,” she murmurs, her voice so soft I almost don’t hear it.
“You don’t have to thank me.” I sit beside her, careful to keep some space between us. “I’m here for you. Whatever you need.”
“I just want to forget.” She looks at me, her eyes searching mine, and something softens in her expression. “I just want it all to be over.”
I nod, my heart aching for her. “I know, and until it is, I’ll be right here.”
She doesn’t respond, but she doesn’t pull away either. And for now, that’s enough.
We eat in silence, the weight of the day hanging heavy between us. As Ember finishes her sandwich, a knock at the door makes her jump.
“Stay here.” I’m on my feet instantly, my hand going to my weapon. I move toward the door and peer through the peephole, tension coiling in my muscles, but it’s just Aria’s father, flanked by Charlie and Brett. I open the door.
Marcus Holbrook bursts in, his eyes wild. “Where is she? Where’s my daughter?”
“Mr. Holbrook, please calm down.” I try to keep my voice steady. “Aria’s resting.”
But Holbrook doesn’t listen. He pushes past me, calling Aria’s name. I share a concerned glance with Charlie and Brett before following him.
“Daddy?” Aria emerges from her room, looking groggy and disoriented.
What happens next is a flurry of tears and embraces. I give them space, but something nags at the back of my mind. Something is off about Holbrook’s behavior, but I can’t quite put my finger on it.
As father and daughter reunite, Ember watches from the sidelines, her expression unreadable. The contrast between Aria’s tearful reunion and Ember’s solitude is stark, and it makes my chest ache.
Holbrook insists on taking Aria home despite our protests that the safe house is the most secure option. In the end, Jenny relents, but only after he agrees our team will escort them home.
With Aria clinging to his side, Holbrook steps toward the waiting SUV. Brett and Charlie are already in position, watchingthe surroundings with sharp eyes, ready to escort them to safety. Jenny, Mac, and Jon stand by, ready to join them. When I don’t move, Jenny approaches.
“You’re staying with Ember,” Jenny says, her tone sharp and final. “She seems to trust you. We’ll head back to HQ once Aria’s home safe. You can stay with Ember tonight and escort her back in the morning. You good to stay?”
“I’m good.” Relief floods my chest, steadying the storm inside me. The thought of letting Ember go now feels wrong—reckless, even. She’s been through hell, and the idea of leaving her unprotected twists like barbed wire in my gut.
Jenny studies me for a long moment, her eyes narrowing, as if she can see every unspoken vow etched into my expression.
“She needs to open up about Wolfe. We need the intel she has.” Jenny’s gaze flicks over to Ember, who stands off to the side, her arms wrapped tightly around herself. “Work on her, but just so we’re clear—that doesn’t mean screwing her. Keep your dick in your pants, got it?”
I blink, caught off guard by the bluntness. “That’s not?—”
“Uh-huh,” Jenny cuts me off, her smile turning sharp, almost mocking. “You’re a protector, Blaze, but you’re also walking testosterone—a player with a higher-than-normal sex drive. So keep it in your pants, alright? She’s fragile, and she doesn’t need you complicating things. Don’t screw this up.”
“I won’t,” I say, shaking my head with a sigh.
Jenny pats my shoulder, her expression shifting back to serious. “Good. Get her to trust us. We need her. More than she knows.”