Dash stepped into the light, and they both sized one another up. He couldn’t help noticing the sadness spark in Emerson’s eyes.
“What’re you doing here?” Emerson asked, his tone dull.
That hadn’t been the reaction he’d been expecting. Coming to Emerson had clearly been a mistake. “I had a question for you, but I’ve gotten the answer. I’m going to go.”
“Probably for the best,” Emerson said as Dash passed him.
Dash spun to face Emerson.“Excuse me?”
“You were right,” Emerson said, not bothering to turn around. “This is too dangerous. For both of us.”
Coldness enveloped Dash at the loss of Emerson’s warmth. What had changed since that morning?
Turn around, damn you.
Look at me!
“What’s caused this sudden about face?” Dash asked, trying to keep his tone neutral.
“Someone made me see just how much you stand to lose. I won’t be the one to cause that.” Emerson finally turned, his face a mask of pain. “I won’t hurt you like that, Dash. I wouldn’t be able to live with myself if I did.”
Dash struggled to draw in his next breath.
Emerson took a step closer, yet all Dash sensed was a widening gap.
“You can’t come here anymore,” Emerson whispered. “We need to avoid one another from now on.”
Anger blossomed in Dash’s chest.How dare he?
“You’re right. We should,” Dash snarled.
Emerson’s gaze lowered to the deck, shoulders slumping.
Why was Dash suddenly so upset? Last night, he’d told Emerson that it was too dangerous for them to be together—and he’d been right.
That didn’t mean he’dwantedto be right, though.
Emerson’s refusal had felt like a glimmer of hope amid his anxiety. The loss of that was too much to bear. He needed that sunshine. Without it, he felt nothing but cold.
“I’m sorry, but that doesn’t work for me.”
Emerson’s gaze whipped up.“Dash…”
Dash shook his head. “There’s something here. Something bigger than both of us. You know it as well as I do.”
“I do. I don’t understand it, and I doubt I ever will, but what Idoknow is—all I want to do is protect you.”
He didn’t need Emerson protecting him. He was a strong alpha who could protect himself.
Nevertheless, hewanteda hero of his very own to come save the day.
Hishero.
There was no way they’d find a way. Logically he knew that, yet without even the slightest hope, what was he left with?
“I’mthe one putting you in danger.I’mthe one who pushed you last night.” Emerson drew in a shaky breath. “I’m the one you need protectionfrom.”A shine came to Emerson’s eyes. “I can’t be trusted when you’re this close. I’ll be your downfall, Dash.”
“I know the risks as well as you do. Let me worry about protecting myself, alpha.”
