“You okay?” He lifted her into the seat instead of expecting her to haul herself up. He could tell she didn’t have her usual strength. She was so rattled he even had to help buckle her seat belt.
She nodded and attempted to smile, but she was blinking rapidly, obviously fighting tears.
“We’re going to get that bastard. Don’t worry.” He wanted to unclick the seat belt he’d just buckled and pull her into his arms—hold her close until she could stop shaking. That felt like a much more natural reaction. But, at this point, he wasn’t sure she’d welcome it.
She nodded again, and he took off his coat and draped it over her to give her an added layer of warmth before walking around to the driver’s side.
“Wh-what made you come look for me?” she asked as he climbed in, her teeth chattering—more in reaction to what she’d been through than the cold, he guessed.
“I was worried about you,” he admitted. “When you didn’t come home, I couldn’t imagine where you were.”
“Th-thanks for going to the t-trouble of c-coming out.”
He hated the formalness that’d sprung up between them, especially when he was rattled and upset himself. “Why didn’t you call me? Tell me about that dick pic and have me come with you tonight?” he asked, but he already knew the answer.
“Your brothers just got into town,” she said, looking out the window instead of at him. “And it’s your mother’s wedding tomorrow. I didn’t want to impose.”
“Impose?” he repeated, bringing the van to a stop right in the middle of backing up. “Really? We’ve been fucking each other almost since I got home, Emery. You didn’t think I’d be willing to help you? If you’d called me, this wouldn’t have happened!”
He regretted being so harsh when the tears she’d been battling welled up.
“I’m sorry,” he said, speaking more calmly. He was only yelling at her because he couldn’t hold her, which was stupid. “I just... I can’t believe you tried to take care of it by yourself. You didn’t call me even after it happened. What’d you think, that you’d report it to the police and then drive yourself home?”
She didn’t answer. He got the impression she was struggling to hold herself together and didn’t dare get into an argument with him for fear she’d fall apart.
“He’s not getting away with this,” he said a few minutes later—to himself as much as her. “He has to be held accountable.”
“You should’ve seen the guy who did it,” she said dully. “You never would’ve guessed he could be c-capable of that.” Her hands went to her throat as though she was remembering it. “He seemed so nice.”
“I hope the police find that asshole. But even if they don’t, I know where Ethan lives.” She’d given him the address when he’d driven her to LA. He probably still had it in his maps, but he didn’t have Ethan’s phone number. “Share Ethan’s contact record with me, will you?”
She wouldn’t accept his phone when he tried to hand it to her. “No. I...I don’t want you getting involved. This thing is already bad enough.”
“Ethan and his friends won’t do anything to me. I’m going to put a stop to it.”
“You don’t know that.” She pulled the coat he’d given her up until only her eyes showed. “Maybe I should just drop the suit,” she mumbled, more to herself than to him.
He looked over at her. “Are you serious?”
“I don’t know. When that guy had his hands around my throat, and I...I couldn’t breathe, it didn’t seem worth it. The damage is already done. Everyone I ever cared about has seen that video. And I can’t get my old job back.”
Dallas didn’t say anything. He hated the idea of her dropping the suit. He wanted Ethan and the station to pay for what they’d done. But he couldn’t blame Emery for being tempted, not after tonight.
“You don’t think I should?” she guessed when he didn’t comment.
“Only you can make that decision,” he replied.
As soon as they reached the house, he told her to wait so he could come around and help her out. She allowed that, but once they reached the porch and could hear the movie playing inside, she pushed him away so she could proceed on her own.
“Sleep with me tonight,” he whispered, catching her hand before she could go in. “I promise I won’t try anything. I just want to keep an eye on you. You could have a concussion.”
“I’ll be fine,” she insisted. “You need to get a good night’s rest. Tomorrow’s a big day for your family.”
“Come on, Emery—this sucks.” He was referring to the distance between them as much as anything else, but she didn’t answer. All of her defenses had gone up; she wouldn’t allow him to get close to her again.
He missed her more than he’d ever missed anyone else. But he didn’t get the chance to tell her so. She didn’t wait any longer before opening the door, and the moment she did that, his brothers looked up and Ryan, once again, paused the movie.
“Everything okay?”
“Fine,” Dallas replied as he watched Emery cautiously navigate the living room, as though she was afraid her knees might give out on her.
“This must be Emery,” Taylor said, obviously surprised that there hadn’t been any introductions.
Emery stopped when she heard her name. “It’s been a rough night for me, guys, but I’m looking forward to meeting you all in the morning,” she said, and grabbed onto the railing to help her climb the stairs.
“What happened to her?” Seth asked after she was gone.
With a sigh, Dallas shoved a hand through his hair. “Her ex-boyfriend put the fear of God into her.”
“What does that mean?” Ryan asked.
“It got physical—at the Blue Suede Shoe,” he admitted.
Taylor sat up. “She okay?”
“She’s a little freaked out. Anyone would be. But I think she’ll be fine in the morning.”
“It’s a good thing you went over there,” Seth said. “Who was it?”
“I
