Page 59 of One Forbidden Moment

He squeezed back, fierce and protective."We don't let it take you."

She looked up at him, eyes wide and trusting."Or you."

He swallowed hard."Or me."

The darkness had found them.Moe wasn't going to let it take them back to Everstill.Not now.Not ever.

Chapter 22

Jillian

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Finn and Kallie arrivedso quickly it made Jillian wonder if they'd been ready to rush over the moment Moe called.The headlights swept across her living room walls, casting long streaks of light that made the corners look deeper, darker, as if the shadow still lingered there.Moe stood near the window, shoulders tight, jaw locked, watching the driveway like he expected the darkness to return before Finn even reached the porch.

When Jillian opened the door, Finn stepped inside without hesitation.He skipped all greetings and gazed immediately to the far corner of the room.The shadow had stretched itself thin and tall before snapping back into nothing.He scanned the space with the kind of intensity that made Jillian's skin prickle.Kallie followed him, her presence softer but no less alert.She touched Jillian's arm gently, and Jillian appreciated the comfort.

"Do you feel it?"Kallie said quietly, her voice carrying a weight that made Jillian's throat tighten.

Jillian nodded."It was here.It...left, I think."

Finn approached the corner slowly, like he was walking toward a wild animal that might bolt or attack.He didn't touch the wall.He didn't crouch or lean in.He simply stood there, staring at the space where the shadow had flickered.His breathing was steady, controlled, but Jillian could see the tension in his shoulders.

"Show me exactly where," Finn said without looking back.

Jillian pointed."There.It stretched up the wall.Like it was trying to stand."

Finn's jaw tightened."That's not good."

Moe moved closer to her, his hand brushing her back, protective and instinctive.Jillian leaned into him without thinking, grateful for the solid weight of him behind her.Still shaking, she sensed the darkness had left a cold fingerprint on her spine.

Finn finally turned around and motioned for everyone to sit.Jillian sank into the couch beside Kallie, while Moe remained standing behind her, one hand resting on her shoulder.She could feel the dread radiating off him, a silent promise that he'd put himself between her and anything that tried to touch her.

Finn sat, his expression grim."All right.We need to talk about what that was."

Jillian swallowed hard."The shadow."