The police had insisted she take a back seat from the foundation and maintain contact only with Carrie. Conor had sent over some of his staff to learn from Jason and the other staff at the foundation. Carrie had messaged to say she was in seventh Heaven surrounded by all the hot guys who spoke her language. “Whoever thought gaming was for nerds should come into my office today. I swear, I can’t decide on who to take with me to the Bahamas.”

Emily giggled at her friend’s antics. Carrie had insisted she would need a vacation when the stress of the stalker was all over. Carrie had only been joking, trying to keep Emily’s spirits up, but Conor had taken her at her word. He had promised her a week at whichever hotel she wanted.

Conor. He was so caring to everyone. He was a tough boss and expected a lot from his people. Crystal had been clear on that front, but he was also fair and loyal. If one of his people got into trouble, Conor would help them out.

Crystal had told her of the time a staff member’s child needed a kidney donor but the parents were too broke to pay the extra after the insurance covered the basics. Not only had Conor paid the hospital bills, but he had also arranged for both parents to get paid time off. He’d even secured an apartment for them near their son’s hospital. Crystal wasn’t supposed to tell people, but she had obviously thought Emily should know.

Emily jumped as the buzzer rang. They weren’t expecting anyone apart from Conor, and he had a key. Exchanging a look with her grandmother, she walked over to the intercom.

“Hello.”

“Miss Williams, it’s Steven. Can you buzz me up?”

“Steven, is there something wrong?”

“Let me in, please.”

Emily pressed the button, her heart beating so fast it was hard to breathe. Her grandmother stood at the kitchen door, her expression suggesting she shared Emily’s fears.

Steven pushed the door open, a grim look on his face.

“What’s wrong? Is it Conor?”

“Conor is in the hospital. He’s been shot.”

“Shot? Who would want to shoot him?” Nana asked.

Emily couldn’t speak. Her vision narrowed and the sounds around her became muffled. She stared at Steven as her grandmother asked the questions.

“We don’t know who. Not yet. I think you should get your coat and I’ll take you both to see him.”

“Us?” Emily muttered.

“Yes, Ms. Williams. I think the boss would like to see you.”

“But what about his family?” she blurted out before she could think better of it.

Steven didn’t meet her gaze but looked at the floor.

“Come on, Emily, coats on. I’m sure Steven wants to get back.”

Emily let her grandmother dress her as if she were a child. When she’d steeled herself as much as possible, she asked the question that had been on her mind since Steven arrived. “How bad?”

“He will be fine. He’s in surgery – the bullet hit him in the leg. He won’t be hitting the gym anytime soon.”

Emily’s knees buckled but Steven had her before she fell. “Come on, Emily, you’ll feel better when you are near him. Are you all right, Mrs. Williams?”

“Call me Gertie, Steven. And yes, I’m right behind you. Just getting the keys.”

Emily moved away from Steven. Now wasn’t the time to fall apart. She had to be strong. For Conor.

They took the elevator to the parking garage in silence. Only once they were on route to the hospital did Emily speak again.

“Where was he when he was shot? Did the shooter get away? Why didn’t he take you with him?”

“One question at a time, Emily, darling. Steven will tell us as much as he knows.”

Emily glanced at Steven’s face. Her grandmother was mistaken. This man would only tell them what he thought they needed to know.

“I told him not to go to your apartment alone, but he didn’t listen.”

“He was shot at my place? By whom? Oh, my goodness, he was there for me. I asked him to go there. I didn’t mean to put him in danger. Why didn’t you tell me you thought it was dangerous?”

“I wanted to, but Conor said not to. He said you had enough to cope with.”

“Oh, that darn, stubborn man.”

“He was protecting you, Emily,” Gertie said. “He was doing what he thought was best.”

“He got himself shot, Nana. How is that protecting me?”

Gertie didn’t respond.

“Do the police have any clues?” she asked Steven.

“They’re waiting to see if Conor knows anything,” he said.

“You mean he hasn’t spoken?”

Steven shook his head. Emily bit on her knuckles as she forced herself to look out the window. Of all the things to happen. What if he died before she got a chance to tell him that she loved him?

She didn’t remember her walk from the car, or how she managed the maze of hallways that led to his unit, the whole thing was surreal. Before she knew it, they were waiting at the reception desk. Steven told them to take a seat before he found a doctor. She sat down and her grandmother took her hand, but she was too numb to say or do anything. She saw Steven talking to the doctor just before she spotted the policeman. She realized he must be waiting to speak to Conor.

Steven walked back to them. He seemed to move in slow motion. Emily prayed harder than ever before. She willed herself not to cry. She had to be strong.

“How is he?” she asked, standing up from her chair.

“Surgery went well. He should be awake soon.”

“Can I see him?” she asked, her voice full of desperation.

“Yes, but only for a few minutes.”

“The police want to see him, too, I guess.”

“They do, but the doc won’t let them talk to him. I had to twist his arm to let you in.”

“Thank you, Steven.” Emily surprised both of them by kissing him on the cheek, causing his face to flush. She didn’t wait for him to say anything but walked toward the room, her heart beating so loudly she thought everyone could hear it. She stopped when she got to the door. The cop stood aside to let her in.

“Go on, ma’am. It’s worse standing here wondering. Take it from someone who knows.”

She nodded her thanks, balled her fists tightly in a bid to control her tears, and pushed the door open.