Chase takes the photo from Beau, studies it for a long moment, then pockets it without a word. When he looks up, his expression is stony.
“We still need to clean this up,” he says, but his voice has changed. Harder. More urgent. “But I’ll get Van on it immediately. See if he can track down Dimitri or figure out where he took her.”
I nod numbly and watch Beau and Chase work in grim silence, and the extent of what I’ve done eats away at me.
Kozlov knew where she was. He was the only one who knew. And I ended him before we could ask.
If something happens to her now, that’s on me.
Emma reaches for my hand and tangles her fingers with mine, the blood on my skin not stopping her. My insides twist. How is she not afraid?
“Hey,” she whispers.
“Hey.” My throat feels tight, and my tongue is thick in my mouth. I don’t know what to say, what to do with all these emotions swirling around inside me. My need for her battles with my shame at what I’ve done and the desire to protect her, even if it’s from me.
But Emma seems to be completely oblivious to the torment inside me.
She leans her head against my shoulder and closes her eyes, her grip tightening in mine. “Take me home.”
Which makes it even harder when I shake my head and pull away.
“I can’t, Emma. Not like this. There’s something I have to do first.”
28
EMMA
Bodhi’s broad back disappears into the darkness between the trees. Fumbling for the door handle, I’m ready to go after him until a gentle hand on my shoulder stops me.
“Don’t.” Her voice is soft but firm. She’s crouching beside the open car door, her expression full of sympathy. “He needs space right now. Chasing him will only make it worse.”
I’m torn. All I want is to go after him.
“He said I’m not safe with him. That’s insane.” It’s hard to fathom that he could feel anything other than proud. He saved me.
“I know.” She climbs into the driver’s seat Bodhi vacated, angling her body to face me. The resemblance is clear. Same dark eyes, chocolate brown hair, and tanned skin. And the very same serious expression. “But right now, his bear is... it’s hard to explain to someone who isn’t a shifter.”
A shifter. Is that what he said they’re called? It’s all a blur.
Through the windshield, I see Chase and Beau standing near the cabin’s entrance, their conversation hushed but urgent. I catch fragments on the still evening air.
“...never seen anything like it...”
“...completely lost control...”
I return to staring at the spot where Bodhi vanished into the shadows, willing him to reappear. But he doesn’t.
“Did they...” Natalie pauses delicately. “Did anyone touch you… inappropriately?” The clinical way she asks tells me she’s done this before. She seems to sense my surprise. “I’m a deputy. Anything you tell me will be in the strictest confidence and won’t be repeated to my brother. You’re my greatest concern.”
Reassured, I sink back into the leather seats and close my eyes. He’s really not coming back.
“No,” I mumble. “Ashworth was going to, but Bodhi got there first.”
Relief flashes across her features as she takes my hands in hers. “Okay. That’s good.”
It is good. Yet I feel numb. Lost.
“Where did he go?” The question bursts out of me. “What if something happens to him? He got shot… he needs medical attention more than me.”
