Chapter Two
‡
“What are you talking about?” EmmaLee asked.
Breathing heavily, Connor stepped back, putting some space between them. “A few years ago someone died under my watch, and it was my fault. I never want a repeat of that experience for as long as I live.”
The pain in his voice nearly sliced her heart in two. “How was it your fault?”
He scrubbed a hand down his jaw. “My first job in the security business was to protect a woman who had a restraining order against her abusive ex-husband.”
The abusive part resembled her situation, making her inwardly wince. “I take it that piece of paper didn’t stop him?”
“No.”
“What did he do?”
“He killed her.”
Her heart snapped. “How? Weren’t you there?” She hadn’t meant to blurt that out.
“No. I’d received a tip about his location, and because he’d already tried to speak with my client twice, I needed to find him and drag his ass to jail. I told Mrs. Andrews I’d be gone less than an hour. Mind you, I insisted that she lock her doors and not let anyone in, no matter who it was. When I didn’t locate him, I rushed back to her house, but Caroline was already dead.”
EmmaLee sucked in a breath. “I’m so sorry.”
“So am I. The lead detective claimed rumor had it that someone had purposefully lured me away. The saddest part was that there was no sign of forced entry.”
“Which means that she let him in, right?” EmmaLee stepped over to the small living room sofa and sat down.
“Yes.” He moved next to her, short-circuiting her thoughts once more.
This Caroline woman probably couldn’t say no to her ex-husband any more than EmmaLee had been able to turn down Slater. “It wasn’t your fault.”
She reached out and stroked Connor’s arm to comfort him, but he pulled away. That hurt. His touch affected her more than she thought possible.
Connor huffed out a breath. “I should have asked for backup or not left her in the first place. Hopefully, you can see why I am not going to have another beating or death on my conscience.”
So Connor was here out of guilt, and not because he’d grown fond of her. That was just as well. Regardless, she couldn’t ask him to put his life on hold for her. Damn. What was she to do?
*
EmmaLee glanced away, probably trying to decide if she trusted him enough to truly protect her. A moment later, she returned her gaze to his face.
“I’ve been selfish,” she said.
That wasn’t what he thought she’d say. “What do you mean?”
“I can see you’re determined to stay if I don’t leave town with you, so I’m going to ask my boss if he can handle losing another waitress. He’s been struggling to keep his staff, and I didn’t want to be the one to add more pressure to his life, but it can’t be helped.”
He hadn’t expected that concession either, but he was pleased. “Thank you. I don’t understand your change of heart, but I’m glad for it. When do you think you could speak with him?”
She chuckled. “I hadn’t realized you were in such a hurry.”
“I’m not. It’s just that—”
EmmaLee held up a hand. “I get it. You’re in charge of a lot of cases. I appreciate all the time you’ve spent with me already. I owe you.”
He didn’t need her sympathy, though he enjoyed her gratitude. “Just so I’m clear, this means you’ll come back with me to Silver Lake, right?”
“Yes,” EmmaLee said, lifting her chin.
His animal howled, rejoicing in the fact they could be together for a while longer. “That’s great.”
She pressed her lips together. “I doubt I’ll need to be there for long though since I’m sure Slater will be caught soon.”
She acted as if it would be unpleasant to have him watch her longer than necessary. Here he’d thought her reluctance to move had been because of her research and not because she didn’t care for him. No one could blame him for thinking otherwise. She always seemed to watch him with hunger in her eyes.
His wolf harrumphed. You actually believe that? You’ve been nothing but an ass to her.
Connor did not respond to his horny animal. “I can’t promise we’ll catch Slater in a few days though. You might have to stay there for a while.” A long while.
She lifted one shoulder. “I know, but I can hope, can’t I? In case the cops are successful, I won’t cancel my lease here right away.”
“It might take months to bring him down.” Connor was pleased he succeeded in hiding his disappointment. He wanted to spend more time with her and get to know her better, especially when they’d be in a place where she didn’t have to look over her shoulder all the time, wondering if Slater would come back.
“You think?” She pulled her ponytail over her shoulder and pressed the ends against her lips. It made him lose focus, wanting it to be his lips that touched hers.
Then kiss her, his wolf begged. She’s our mate.
Stop it, he warned his horny animal.
I didn’t do anything. I just wanted to remind you how important she is to us.
Like he could forget?
“Tracking people who want to avoid being found takes time.”
“So does finding a cheap apartment, especially one so close to the diner.”
Her logic was sound. “You’re probably right. Besides, if Slater does return and peeks inside, he’ll believe you’re coming back. Maybe he’ll hang out in Billard and wait for you.”
She wrapped her arms around her shoulders. “Thinking about him skulking around here gives me the creeps, but I have no reason to believe he will return.”
“We can’t chance that.” As much as Connor yearned to give her comfort, he couldn’t. His wolf would go wild if he pressed her against his chest.
“I know.”
“I realize this is hard for you, but it’s for the best.” He cleared his throat. “Ready to see what your boss has to say?”
“Sure.”
EmmaLee and Connor drove over to the diner to discuss her imminent departure. Halfway there, she twisted in her seat to face him. “Now that I’m feeling healthy again, do you think I could work a few days before we leave, so I can earn some money? If I don’t have an income source, it’ll be expensive to pay for this apartment and be on the run.”
“No can do.”
“Why not?” There went that challenging tone again.
“I can’t watch you every second when you’re at work. At some point you’ll have to step into the kitchen to pick up an order. Slater could lure you away.”
“I won’t let him.”
Of course she’d say that. “What if you have to empty the trash in the back alley and he jumps out at you, injects you with some drug, and then kidnaps you?”
She turned back around and stared out the window for the next two miles. “Fine. We can leave whenever you want.”
“Thank you.”
To his delight, her boss, Drew Nemlin, agreed with him that EmmaLee should leave town. Slater wasn’t a good man, he’d said. “Take as long as you need, but I can’t promise your job will be here when you return,” her boss said. “I still remember that Vinea thought she’d only be gone a short time, and she left for good.”
“I know. That’s why I’m okay with you hiring someone else if you need to. I’ll understand.”
Connor could almost feel the disappointment pouring off her, but to her credit, she held her head high.
“Thank you,” Drew said.
“I don’t want the girls to have to take extra shifts just because I have to hide out for a while, anymore than you do.”
They chatted a bit, and Connor finally had to place a hand on her back. “EmmaLee, it’s time we get going.”
She nodded. “Give me a sec, okay?” She rushed up to each of the waitresses and hugged them goodbye. Even he was moved when a few tears were exchanged. It was clear her kindness had affected so many people.
For a moment, he wanted to give in and let her stay a little longer, but common sense reminded him that they should have left last week. He’d only remained because his damn wolf had insisted on it. His animal claimed that being in such close proximity with his mate would help them bond.
That had been a big fail. All the delay had accomplished was make Connor grumpier. Her lilac scent and cheerful ways had caused him to want her even more. But damn it, he couldn’t act as if she meant a lot to him when he had a job to do.
Bullshit, his wolf threw out.
What are you talking about? His wolf was growing more discontent by the day, and Connor was tired of his constant interference.
This isn’t really about the job and you know it. You just suck at dealing with your emotions, his wolf chided. You want to tell her she’s our mate, but you’re chicken.
You’re wrong. Not only is she not ready for another relationship, it’s my job to protect her, not have sex with her. Once we take down Slater, I’ll show her what she means to us. Assuming she wants us.
Be in denial, his wolf shot back.
Whatever. Connor would explain to EmmaLee at some point why he kept his distance and why it had been pure torture being so near and not touching her. Knowing her history with men, he couldn’t just blurt it out. She’d run. Then he would be devastated.
After giving him the cold shoulder while EmmaLee packed, they piled into his SUV, ready for their three and a half hour drive to Tennessee. While he was thankful she’d only taken two suitcases and not half the apartment, he was concerned she believed she’d be returning shortly. Now wasn’t the time to discuss their future however.
“Buckle up,” he said.
Without a word, she did as he asked. Seeing her miffed made leaving all the harder, but it couldn’t be helped.
EmmaLee stared out the window as he pulled down her drive. “Just so you know, I don’t have enough money to pay for an apartment in Silver Lake,” she said with a curt tone.
It wasn’t as if she could move in with him. He’d never get any work done if she did.
“I’ve got it covered. My parents have a guesthouse you can stay in. It was where Vinea lived when she was there.”
EmmaLee twisted toward him. “I thought she had rented a trailer.”
“Only at first.” His brother Devon had seen to her change in accommodations once he admitted they were mates.
“Then thank you. That would be wonderful.”
At the sudden cheer in her voice, he glanced over at her, and EmmaLee’s smile lit up his insides.
While she was usually a chatterbox, once they were on the road, she clammed up again. She seemed to be having second thoughts. He wanted to remind her again that if she had stayed behind, Slater might return and either beg her to take him back or make certain she wasn’t around any longer to prosecute him.
Connor could only hope the man lacked the skills to find her. If Slater did locate her, Connor would make sure it was the last thing the man ever did.