“But now you know the truth,” I glanced away from Drew and wound my fingers together, trying to settle my nerves, “and that puts you in danger.”
Drew placed a finger under my chin and lifted until I was looking directly into his green eyes.
“You didn’t put me in danger,” Drew said, his usually charming expression turned serious. “It was my decision tofollow you tonight. I was the one who pushed you to tell me the truth. I’m fully aware of the risks I take with my life every day as an officer. If deciding to help you is one of them, then so be it. But it’s on me, not you.”
His words didn’t stop the sliver of guilt from growing inside me.
“But Adrian is here. He found me. He sent someone to the bar tonight to deliver that note. He saw me with Leah and Tyler. He saw me with you, and he did this to my apartment as a warning.” I gestured at the wreckage around us. “He’s trying to scare me into giving him what he wants.”
“What does he want?” Drew asked. “It’s been almost a year since you left. What is so important that he’d risk coming after you now?”
“He said I took something from him,” I explained, remembering the letter and the text I had deleted in my earlier panic. “A dagger. He wants it back, and he’s willing to hurt anyone who gets in his way. I’m afraid he already has.”
My thoughts went to Pearl, thinking the worst.
I hope she’s okay.
“What do you mean?”
“My old neighbor, Pearl,” I explained. “She helped me that night after Adrian left to deal with his mess. I didn’t tell her the details, just that I had to leave, and she gave me everything I needed. No questions asked. She basically took care of me after my mom died five years ago. Cancer.”
Losing my mom was the hardest day of my life. When I lost her, it was like I lost a part of myself along with her. I wasn’t the same afterward.
But since being here with Leah and Drew, I had seen glimpses of the girl I used to be. I liked to think I was finally healing.
Suddenly, Drew closed the short distance between us and wrapped me in his arms. “I can’t imagine what you’ve gonethrough just to be standing here with me, but I’m glad you are. Thank you for telling me, Katherine.”
After the initial surprise of his hug faded, I encircled my arms around his waist and pressed my cheek against his chest.
“My name is actually Emilia,” I whispered, then held my breath, waiting for his reaction at the fact that I had lied to him about something as simple as my name.
Drew pulled back but kept me firmly in his arms. “Your name’s not Katherine?”
“Katherine is my middle name. It’s what my mom used to always call me. But Adrian called me Emilia, and when I left, I didn’t want to hold on to who I was with him. I thought changing my name would help me disappear. But I prefer Katherine or Kat.”
“Me too.” Drew cupped my face in his right hand and tucked my hair behind my ear. “Although, darlin’ suits you just fine, too.”
Heat rose in my cheeks at that nickname. It sounded so sexy coming from his lips. It made me want to grab him by the shoulders and press my mouth to his. Just to remember what it felt like.
But I had no right to do that after how I treated him.
Drew ran his thumb softly across my cheekbone. “What about your dad?”
I scoffed. “I haven’t seen him in years. I’m not really sure where he is or if he’s even alive. He left us when we found out my mom was sick. I had no one else but Pearl. If it wasn’t for her, I’d probably still be with Adrian, too scared to leave him. I owe her everything. And now she isn’t answering my calls. I’m scared Adrian got to her.”
Tears filled my eyes at the thought. It was my fault if anything happened to her.
Drew swiped away the tears that fell on my cheeks. Hisconcerned gaze met mine. “I think we should go to the station,” he said. “I can explain the situation to my captain. We can notify the local police and have them check on Pearl. We can keep her safe. We can keep you both safe from him.”
I shook my head fervently. “If Adrian found out …” I sucked in a sharp breath. “He’s part of a gang with connections to the local police. He would know the moment we said anything. I can’t take that chance if he has Pearl.”
“Okay, then we’ll?—"
“No,” I cut him off. “There is nothing you can do. He knows where I am. He knows everything. What if he gets to Leah next? What if he?—"
Oh, God.Adrian probably knew everything about my new life. I had to leave. I had to run again. Maybe then Adrian would follow me and leave everyone else alone.
I could only hope.
