“Oh?” I followed Ryker back to the island, where I took a seat.
“Steven was found this morning with a gunshot to the head.”
My mouth opened, then closed. I didn’t know what to say to that.
“A number of his hired help,” the last two words were spat out in disgust, “were also found dead. Whoever killed them left no trace.”
“Wonder why,” Ryker muttered. “But I’m guessing no one will look too hard.”
“Could be a murder/suicide deal.” Scarlett shrugged. “Or a drug deal gone wrong. I don’t know the details. This does mean you won’t have to testify against him in court.”
“I don’t know what I should feel.” Other than shock. Was I meant to feel relief? I didn’t. I felt more lost, knowing my time here with Ryker would be even shorter.
“You don’t have to feel anything,” Scarlett said, lowering her voice. “I just thought you should know that you can walk out that door and not fear for your life.”
“All it does is open another can of worms.” The words were out before I could stop them.
“Well, you have Ryker and me. And hopefully you can meet some new people who will be able to help you along.”
“You know you’ll be welcome here, no matter how long.” Ryker leaned his elbows on the counter, drawing my attention to him. “We’ll take it one day at a time.”
“No one expects you to figure out what to do overnight. I sure didn’t even after I was recused from my abuser. Not even when he got me a second time.”
Oh. Right. Scarlett had explained somewhat that her abuser had been like a father figure. He had kidnapped her at a young age and made her believe she was nothing. She hadn’t found her real family until her grandfather tracked her down, and it had taken her some time to accept them when she met them.
She never went into more detail than that, but it was enough to give me an understanding of what she’d been through.
She wasn’t all that much different from me, in a way. She knew the horrors as much as I did.
“It’ll still take a lot of time. Thoughts and doubts will pop up. I don’t have any plans to stop our sessions anytime soon.” Scarlett dipped her head to meet my eyes. “Heck, maybe I’ll even introduce you to three other people I know who were also in similar situations. They still struggle, and it’s been almost two years now.”
“I’ve met Silas,” Ryker hinted. “You’d like him. Sweet and quiet.”
“Collin adores him.” Scarlett smiled. “He’s also not great at meeting new people.”
“Maybe.” I highly doubted I’d ever meet them.
“Better than a flat-out no. So, how about you eat a late breakfast and I’ll be back in about,” she paused, looking at the clock on the stove, “an hour?”
I shrugged. It wasn’t like I had any plans.
I must have spaced out as I startled when Ryker pushed a plate of toast in front of me.
“Emery.” I looked up to meet his eyes. They softened. I’d almost do anything to have him always look at me like that. “No matter what happens, I’ll be here for you. Always.”
“Promise?” My voice shook, but his words settled something in me I didn’t know I needed to hear. Maybe that’s what was bothering me today.
“Promise, sugar. You’ve come into my life for a reason. It’d tear me apart if I couldn’t do everything in my power to help you when you need it.”
Not having to think, I stood and instantly wrapped my arms around him. I breathed him in, my nose against his neck. It took Ryker a moment to wrap his arms around me. His cheek pressed against the top of my head, and for a single moment, everything felt right in the world.
Ryker
It took everything in me to step back when Emery finally let me go. I wanted nothing more than to keep holding onto him, to protect him from the world outside, but I knew I couldn’t always. I’d be here for when he’d no doubt need me, but keeping Emery from living the life he deserved wasn’t going to work.
I’d be just as bad as Steven.
Speaking of whom…some things were better left unasked. Little comments from Collin had given me enough information on just how deadly Scarlett could be, when needed.
