“As smart as you?”
Dash shrugged. “Maybe smarter. My dad runs the province’s Crime Lab, and my brother works for him there, too.”
Emerson gasped. “Fuck, I didn’t even connect that. Dan and Oak are your dad and brother?”
Dash stiffened, appearing irritated that Emerson knew that. “That’s right. You’ve likely brought evidence to them for testing. Make sure you don’t mention you know me the next time you’re there.”
Emerson’s smile faded. “I can tell them I know you without sharing we’ve been intimate, you know? We met via Harrison.”
“I suppose but just… don’t.”
“It’s not against the law to know one another.”
Dash shrugged. “Why open it up to scrutiny?”
Emerson shook his head. The more minutes that ticked by, the farther away Dash seemed to grow. “I couldn’t imagine only having one brother. There’s eight of us.”
“Are youallclose?”
“As close as I allow,” Emerson said. “Harrison and I were, of course,superclose when we were young, but we drifted apart. We’ve all drifted to some extent. Even when I’m there, I feel it. A few months ago, Rand told me that I only called him when I wanted something—and the sad part was, he was right. I’ve hurt him, and I could hear it in his voice, but I couldn’t tell him why we weren’t closer. That I feared letting him in would give him more chances to learn the truth about me.”
Emerson sighed, scrubbing his face. “Tonight, he found out anyway. He could’ve arrested us. He didn’t. He chose to protect us, even though I’ve hurt him.” Emerson paused, fighting a waveof emotion. The backs of his eyes burned as he fought tears. “That doesn’t necessarily mean he’ll accept me for who I am, but it proves he cared about me more than the law andthatmeans something. But it might also show that I’ve pushed them all away for no reason—and that makes me sick inside. So, yeah. Maybe it’s time I told them who I really am and see where the chips fall. Maybe they won’t care. Either way, I’m tired of living this way, Dash. I don’t want to lie anymore.”
Dash met his gaze, a shine glittering in his eyes.
“Aren’t you lonely? I am—and I don’t deny myself like you do.” Emerson searched his face. “Have youeverbeen in a relationship?”
“Have you?” Dash countered. “Or do you consider your long line of bedmates relationships?”
Emerson tensed. “They might not be relationships, but they’re better than spending every single night alone.”
“You get used to it,” Dash muttered.
“Why should we have to?”
Dash met his stare, pain in his eyes.
“Why?”Emerson pressed.
“Because that’s the only way to stay safe!”Dash barked.
Emerson paused. He’d known that would be the answer. He wished he hadn’t.
“I never should’ve gone to the Dragon tonight. I should’ve listened to Mason and let him do it instead of me.”
“Who’s Mason?” Emerson asked, frowning.
“My partner.”
Emerson narrowed his eyes, his fists curling tight.
“Mybusinesspartner,” Dash said. “Calm down.” Dash eyed him for a few seconds. “You met him. MasonDavis.The beta bigger than you who was protecting your twin’s mates when Charles attacked them.”
“Ahh,”Emerson said. “I liked him.” He nodded, unclenching his fists. “A beta. That’s good.”
Dash gave him a sardonic look.
Emerson dragged Dash into his arms. “Is it wrong to check if you’re in a relationship before moving forward?”
