When Sawyer walks back in, Nash Brooks is with him, looking devastatingly handsome in a suit, and like he’s out for blood.
Tess flings herself into her brother’s arms, and he holds her tight.
“It’s going to be okay, Tess.” Sawyer’s voice holds a certain note to it that sends a shiver down my spine. It’s not the same coldness he spoke to me with. It’s threatening.
Nash releases his sister. The two men exchange a nod, and turn toward the door.
“We’ll be back.”
Tess and I run after Sawyer and Nash as they head for the front door, adrenaline coursing through my veins like a bullet.
“What’re you going to do?” Tess asks at the same time I say, “Let’s call the police!”
The men turn. Sawyer won’t look at me, but he answers me. “The restraining order hasn’t deterred him.”
“We need to have a little chat with him,” Nash finishes, looking at his little sister. He gives me a once-over, an acknowledgment of sorts. “We’ll be back.” His voice brokers no room for argument.
They turn, and pull the door closed behind them with a definiteclick.
I look at Tess. Her expression is a mirror to how I feel. Totally and completely terrified.
“Is your ex dangerous?” I ask.
She shakes her head, voice oddly monotonous at first. “I—I don’t know. He’s turned into something else over the years, and I really don’t know what he’s capable of anymore.” Her voice grows more frantic. “The people he hangs out with, they aren’t good people.”
My stomach seizes, and I nearly throw up. What is Sawyer running toward right now?
And will he come back?
That’s the question pumping through me, over and over again. Will he come backto me?
My nose stings as tears spring to my eyes. I can’t believe less than an hour ago he told me he loved me, and I kept my mouth shut, paralyzed.
He left without knowing how I feel.
I want him. Every day, all the time. I want his loving warmth, and his smiles, and his teasing. I want his scent in my nose and his taste on my tongue.
But I can’t tell him any of that because he’s gone. I clutch the doorframe to hold me up.
It’s too late.
I messed up. All because I couldn’t bear to show him all of me.
My sob echoes in the entryway.
I would even take his icy tone back, his coldness, if he just makes it safely out of whatever danger he’s going into.Just let him be safe, and I’ll tell him everything.
I only now realize Tess and I are clinging onto each other. As one, we turn and trudge back to the living room. My breaths stutter as I spot the shoebox.
CHAPTER 47
BRIE
Releasing my hold on Tess,I pick up the battered box Sawyer thrusted at me earlier, needing any connection to him.
I blink my tears away to examine it. It’s old and badly worn, more tape than cardboard at this point. The faded label says it’s a kids’ size seven. Carefully, I lift the lid just an inch.
Faded pink peeks back.
