Protecting Hope : A Contemporary Fantasy Shifter Romance by Hart Bess

Author:Hart, Bess [Hart, Bess]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2016-12-20T08:00:00+00:00

***

Music and heat radiated through the back door as Emma stepped inside. The snowflakes melted off her skin as she pushed through the crowd of pulsing bodies.

She recognized faces from summer, and they eyed her with interest as she slipped past them. If what Jake said was true, then she couldn’t trust anyone.

But then again, if what Jake said was true, than the house of her ally would be better than the snowy dark with her sworn enemy.

She pushed her way into the main room, where the built-in fire pit in the center of the floor lighted everything. Emma could see people lining the balcony of the second level, drink in their hands as they danced to a thumping beat. Emma stayed close to the wall before slipping up the stairwell. She passed a couple making out on the stairs and slipped into an empty bedroom. She’d been there several times with Evelyn, so she knew where the lights witch was. With a sigh, she closed the door behind her and pressed her back to it. It was a smaller room. There was a tree right outside the window that was perfect for sneaking in and out. Evelyn and Emma had waited for Kevin at the base of that tree many times. Emma pulled her cell phone out of her pocket and dialed her sister’s number.

Evelyn picked up on the second ring. She was laughing, and the noise behind her was thick. She must be with her entire law firm at a bar.

“Emma, darling,” she said, her voice lilting. “Shouldn’t you be studying for midterms, young lady?”

Normally, Emma would’ve joked back, but she didn’t have time. “I’m not at school, Evelyn. I’m at the cabin.”

“What?” Evelyn’s voice lost all humor. It sharpened. “Emma, what do you mean you’re at the cabin?”

“I needed to get away. I just…needed some time. I came up here, and–”

“Emma, get in the car right now and get out of there.”

Something about the panic in her voice chilled Emma’s blood.

“Why, Ev?”

“It’s not safe, Emma. Don’t move. I’m coming to get you.”

A knock sounded on the door behind Emma’s head.

“Hurry,” Emma whispered. She wanted to sound strong, to tell Evelyn that she didn’t need her help. But she did.

The knock sounded again, and she opened the door.

Kevin stepped inside, closing the door behind him. “Emma? You okay?”

Emma stepped back, covering her hand with her mouth. She pressed her back against the wall by the window. Tears pricked the back of her eyes, but she shook them away. “It’s been a weird day, Kevin,” she whispered when she brought her hand from her mouth. “A really weird day.”

Kevin stepped further into the room, setting his beer on the dresser before crossing and sitting on the bed. “Can I do anything to help?”

“Can I stay here until Ev comes to get me?” she asked.

“Ev’s coming up here?” Kevin asked, running his knuckles against the scruff of his chin.

Emma nodded, and Kevin looked down at his lap.

“Yeah. You can stay here, Em.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.