Page 7 of The Stolen Dagger

CHAPTER FIVE

KATHERINE

A s I told Drew the truth, I couldn’t stop myself from reliving it all over again.

I remembered the chill of that night as I followed Adrian into the alley between the abandoned warehouses.

And the distinct smell of car exhaust that invaded my senses. Then the three jarring gunshots that echoed in my ears.

My hands shook as I described to him the exact moment that Adrian killed Henry.

“After that,” I explained, “Adrian threatened me. He said if I told anyone about what I saw or if I went to the police, he’d kill me, too. So, I ran. I was so scared he’d change his mind and kill me anyway.”

When I finished, Drew was silent, absorbing all the new information. It was a lot to process, so I didn’t blame him for not speaking right away. In fact, I was glad for the few seconds of silence as his brow creased and his lips pursed before he spoke .

“And that’s why you pushed me away after our kiss.”

It wasn’t a question.

I nodded. “I was scared. I still am. But I was terrified of what Adrian would have done to you if he found me. It was easier to keep my distance and not form any attachments. Easier to drop everything and run again if I had nothing keeping me here.”

I had utterly failed at that because now I didn’t want to leave.

“But then I met Leah.” I smiled sadly, remembering that first self-defense class—Drew’s class.

“And I met you. And you helped me get back a little bit of the control that was taken from me. You were perfect and …” I sighed.

“I didn’t want to dump my shitty baggage on you, especially if that put a target on your back.

I never wanted to put that burden on you. ”

None of it made a difference anyway because Adrian found me. He knew where I was, and he was coming for me—for something he thought I took from him.

He won’t stop until he gets what he wants.

No matter where I went, Adrian would always be there, haunting me—forever lurking in the shadows, preventing me from ever truly living.

He was my grim reaper.

And I prayed he’d never come back to collect the life that had slipped through his blood-soaked fingers.

I should’ve known my prayer would go unanswered.

“But now you know the truth,” I glanced away from Drew and wound my fingers together, trying to settle my nerves, “and that puts you in danger.”

Drew placed a finger under my chin and lifted until I was looking directly into his green eyes.

“You didn’t put me in danger,” Drew said, his usually charming expression turned serious.

“It was my decision to follow you tonight. I was the one who pushed you to tell me the truth. I’m fully aware of the risks I take with my life every day as an officer.

If deciding to help you is one of them, then so be it. But it’s on me, not you.”

His words didn’t stop the sliver of guilt from growing inside me.

“But Adrian is here. He found me. He sent someone to the bar tonight to deliver that note. He saw me with Leah and Tyler. He saw me with you, and he did this to my apartment as a warning.” I gestured at the wreckage around us. “He’s trying to scare me into giving him what he wants.”

“What does he want?” Drew asked. “It’s been almost a year since you left. What is so important that he’d risk coming after you now?”

“He said I took something from him,” I explained, remembering the letter and the text I had deleted in my earlier panic. “A dagger. He wants it back, and he’s willing to hurt anyone who gets in his way. I’m afraid he already has.”

My thoughts went to Pearl, thinking the worst.

I hope she’s okay.

“What do you mean?”

“My old neighbor, Pearl,” I explained. “She helped me that night after Adrian left to deal with his mess. I didn’t tell her the details, just that I had to leave, and she gave me everything I needed. No questions asked. She basically took care of me after my mom died five years ago. Cancer.”

Losing my mom was the hardest day of my life. When I lost her, it was like I lost a part of myself along with her. I wasn’t the same afterward.

But since being here with Leah and Drew, I had seen glimpses of the girl I used to be. I liked to think I was finally healing.

Suddenly, Drew closed the short distance between us and wrapped me in his arms. “I can’t imagine what you’ve gone through just to be standing here with me, but I’m glad you are. Thank you for telling me, Katherine.”

After the initial surprise of his hug faded, I encircled my arms around his waist and pressed my cheek against his chest.

“My name is actually Emilia,” I whispered, then held my breath, waiting for his reaction at the fact that I had lied to him about something as simple as my name.

Drew pulled back but kept me firmly in his arms. “Your name’s not Katherine?”

“Katherine is my middle name. It’s what my mom used to always call me. But Adrian called me Emilia, and when I left, I didn’t want to hold on to who I was with him. I thought changing my name would help me disappear. But I prefer Katherine or Kat.”

“Me too.” Drew cupped my face in his right hand and tucked my hair behind my ear. “Although, darlin’ suits you just fine, too.”

Heat rose in my cheeks at that nickname. It sounded so sexy coming from his lips. It made me want to grab him by the shoulders and press my mouth to his. Just to remember what it felt like.

But I had no right to do that after how I treated him.

Drew ran his thumb softly across my cheekbone. “What about your dad?”

I scoffed. “I haven’t seen him in years.

I’m not really sure where he is or if he’s even alive.

He left us when we found out my mom was sick.

I had no one else but Pearl. If it wasn’t for her, I’d probably still be with Adrian, too scared to leave him.

I owe her everything. And now she isn’t answering my calls. I’m scared Adrian got to her.”

Tears filled my eyes at the thought. It was my fault if anything happened to her.

Drew swiped away the tears that fell on my cheeks. His concerned gaze met mine. “I think we should go to the station,” he said. “I can explain the situation to my captain. We can notify the local police and have them check on Pearl. We can keep her safe. We can keep you both safe from him.”

I shook my head fervently. “If Adrian found out …” I sucked in a sharp breath. “He’s part of a gang with connections to the local police. He would know the moment we said anything. I can’t take that chance if he has Pearl.”

“Okay, then we’ll?—"

“No,” I cut him off. “There is nothing you can do. He knows where I am. He knows everything. What if he gets to Leah next? What if he?—"

Oh, God. Adrian probably knew everything about my new life. I had to leave. I had to run again. Maybe then Adrian would follow me and leave everyone else alone.

I could only hope.

I stepped away from Drew and went to my bedroom.

“Where are you going?” he asked behind me.

I picked up a few of my clothes that were scattered on the floor. I searched for my suitcase in the closet to the right of the bed and moved around the room, packing only the essentials.

“I’m leaving.”

“You can’t just leave.” There was an edge to his voice—desperation—as he followed me.

“Watch me.” I brushed past him into the living room toward the bathroom.

“I won’t let you run away.”

I turned on him, ready to tell him off, but he was so close we stood chest to chest, breathing each other in. His gaze shifted between my eyes to my lips and back again.

Suddenly, the fight left me, and I sighed.

“I don’t have any other choice,” I whispered. “He could have Pearl. ”

“But you don’t know that for sure.”

I paused. I wasn’t sure, but why else would she not answer my calls? Something was wrong.

“Listen,” Drew said. “Leaving may have been your only option before, but now you have people who care about you, who can help. I want to help you.”

Drew didn’t understand. He didn’t know Adrian. I did. Adrian wouldn’t stop until he got what he wanted. He’d go through everyone just to get to me.

I stared at Drew with pleading eyes, trying to convey the severity of the situation. Adrian was dangerous. Period. Running again would at least mean Adrian or whoever was here would leave them alone.

A few seconds of silence passed between us before Drew spoke first.

“It’s better if you stay,” he said. “Pretend everything is normal. Go about your everyday life like none of this happened.” He gestured around my destroyed apartment.

“He’s trying to scare you into giving him what he wants.

Don’t play into his hand. But if he comes for you, we’ll be ready. I can protect you.”

I knew he was trying to reassure me, but the way he said that made me feel helpless in the situation. I wasn’t helpless anymore.

“I don’t need you to protect me, and I sure as hell won’t be a sitting duck waiting for him to come for me. You’re crazy if you think I will.”

The corner of Drew’s lips quirked up. “I know you can protect yourself. I made sure of that, but other than telling the police, this is your best option. And Adrian won’t kill you. He thinks you have something he wants. You’re more valuable to him alive.”

“I don’t know about this.” My mind raced with all of the what-ifs and uncertainties. “I just?— "

“Trust me,” Drew said. “Do you really want to leave and start over again with no support? And if he finds you a second time? You’ll just be in the same position you’re in now,” he shrugged, “minus the young, handsome cop trying to help you.”

I lightly hit his chest, trying not to smile. “That’s not funny.”

“I’m sorry,” Drew’s smile dropped, and he turned serious, “but if you don’t have what he wants anyway, then there’s not much else you can do. Your best bet is to wait for Adrian to make his move so we can stop him.”

I thought about what Drew said, and he was right. I wasn’t entirely alone this time. I had people in my life I was willing to fight for, and I definitely didn’t want to run again. I wasn’t the same girl I was a year ago.

I was stronger because of what happened.

I had to be.

Adrian ruined my life. I didn’t have a great life to begin with, but he would just come after me again if I ran. I’d always be looking over my shoulder, wondering if he was there. He would always be a threat … unless I stopped him.

I wanted to stop him, and to do that, I had to stay. For now, I wouldn’t leave.

“Okay,” I relented. “I’ll stay, but you don’t have to protect me. I can protect myself.”

I needed to prove to myself that was true.

“Oh, I know you can.” Drew rubbed the bruising spot on his face where I had hit him. “But I won’t let you deal with this alone. I promise I’ll find a way to help.”

I shook my head. “You shouldn’t make promises you can’t keep.”

Drew placed a hand across his chest as if he were offended. “Do you doubt my expert skills and badassery?”

I knew he was trying to make light of the otherwise shitty situation, but it was hard to escape the darkness that followed thoughts of Adrian.

“No. I just—” I looked down, remembering that night again. “I’ve seen what Adrian can do.”

“Hey.” Drew ducked to meet my gaze. “I’m serious when I say I’ll be here for you. Every step of the way. He can’t hurt you anymore. I won’t let him.”

Like the pull of magnets, we gravitated toward one another. We were so close. Just one more inch and his mouth would be on mine.

My lips parted in anticipation.

After everything, I think I needed this—whatever this was with Drew—because, without him, I had no one. If it wasn’t for him and Leah, I would have already left town. I never would have had the courage to go back to school or find a place that felt like home.

With our lips still only a few inches apart, Drew’s hands slipped up to cup my face before he sighed, pulled back, and whispered, “As much as I want to kiss you until your lips are all red and swollen, we should go. Whoever did this to your apartment may come back.”

Still dazed from our almost kiss, I blinked and painfully tore my gaze from his lips up to his eyes.

Drew smiled softly. “You can stay with me tonight. We’ll figure something else out tomorrow.”

The fog finally cleared, and I looked around at my trashed apartment. Drew was right. They might come back, and I didn’t feel comfortable staying here. I shivered at the idea.

“You’re right,” I said. “I can’t stay here, but I don’t need to go to your place. I’ll get a hotel.”

I pulled my phone out from my pocket to look up the closest one in town, but Drew snatched it out of my hands before I could.

“Hotels are too risky and easy to access. Whoever is after you, they’ll be expecting that if you’re not here. You’ll be safer with me at my apartment in case that guy has the balls to follow us.”

I crossed my arms over my chest, scowling at him. “Fine,” I said, not wanting to admit it. “You’re right.”

“Wait a second.” Drew grinned. “Is that the second time tonight you said I was right?”

I playfully pushed at his broad and surprisingly hard chest. “Don’t get used to it.”