The Edge of Trust

The room's air felt heavier than it ought to have. Emily Hayes sat in a dimly lit conference room across from Ethan Knight, the tall windows letting in the glow of the city skyline. There was a noticeable tension between them, but it had to do with more than just the case. Something that isn't said. 

Working with people she hadn't personally screened wasn't something Emily was used to. Ethan was an unknown variable, and trust was a resource she used sparingly. His presence made her skin prickle in ways she wasn't comfortable acknowledging, and he was perceptive and sharp. 

Are you certain you can manage this? With a smooth yet challenging tone, Ethan posed the question. He studied her while leaning back in his chair and crossing his arms over his wide chest.

Without hesitation, Emily looked him in the eye. "If I couldn't, I wouldn't be here."

He didn't say anything, but a smirk tugged at the corner of his lips. Rather, he moved a file in her direction across the table.

"I investigated Collins," he said. It turns out that he is more involved in this mess than we initially believed. He is a liability in addition to being a witness. Some people are against him speaking.

Before opening the folder, Emily's fingers briefly touched it. She felt sick to her stomach when she saw the pictures, surveillance logs, and some redacted documents inside. She looked up.

"Where did this come from?

With a hint of amusement in his dark eyes, Ethan cocked his head. "To put it simply, I have my ways."

For a moment, Emily looked at him, trying to figure out what was going on. He was too cool, too polished. Individuals who exuded such ease had either seen too much or had too much to conceal.

She acknowledged, "Collins is in more danger than we thought." However, that does not imply his innocence. He continues to play both sides.

Ethan gave a nod. Thus, we must maintain a strict leash on him. This whole case collapses if he runs away.

Emily rubbed her temples and let out a slow breath. She detested the uncertainty and the sense of being left behind in a case that had the potential to make all the difference. She detested the fact that she could see Ethan sitting across from her more than anything else. Although not totally unwanted, his presence was unnerving.

She sat up straight, returning attention to the case. "All right. I need to know that I can trust you if we're going to do this."

Ethan stopped grinning. He leaned slightly in and his face became serious. "You can."

She wasn't prepared to admit the warmth that flickered through her chest as he said it.

Later on in the evening

Emily's heels clicked on the pavement of the almost deserted parking garage as she made her way to her car in the crisp evening air. The weight of her briefcase pressing against her shoulders made her grip it more tightly than was necessary.

Her thoughts were still focused on Ethan and the way his eyes met hers when he assured her that she could trust him. That shouldn't be on her mind. Distractions, particularly from ruggedly attractive private investigators, were not an option because she had a case to win.

She arrived at her car and unlocked the door when she was startled by a noise behind her.

A faint scuff of a shoe on the sidewalk.

She stiffened. She turned her head slowly, her pulse accelerating.

A man with a face hidden by the dim lighting stepped out of the shadows and approached her methodically.

The instinct took over. The man lunged as she stepped back, about to grab her phone.

She was pulled backward by a gloved hand that grabbed her wrist. Emily twisted and poked her elbow into his ribs with her free hand. Despite his grunt, the man held on tight.

Another pair of hands grabbed the assailant and slammed him against the car with a sickening thud before she could react once more.

As she registered what had happened, Emily staggered back, her chest heaving.

Ethan.

He twisted the man's arm painfully by pressing it against the car, his face a mask of rage. Growling, "Big mistake," he said.

The assailant growled and attempted to pry away, but Ethan's hold was firm. With a quick, accurate move, he rendered the man unconscious.

Emily's erratic breathing was the only sound in the garage.

Ethan turned to her and glanced at her. "You okay?"

Emily nodded against her will. "Yes. Simply put, I was taken by surprise.

His eyes were dark with an unidentified substance, and his jaw was clenched. Worried? Fury? It made her stomach turn, whatever it was.

"You shouldn't be by yourself," he said softly. "Not as long as this case is pending."

Emily forced herself to ignore the adrenaline and squared her shoulders. "I am capable of caring for myself."

Ethan took a step forward. His voice was quiet as he said, "I don't doubt that." "But I'm not letting you do it alone just because of that."

The distance between them seemed to vanish in an instant.

She was too conscious of his proximity and the way his body heat seemed to radiate in her direction. It was impossible to turn away from the intensity of his gaze.

She briefly forgot about the case, Collins, and everything else besides the fact that she had just been saved by Ethan Knight, and she wasn't sure which was more dangerous.

those who pursued her.

Or how he affected her emotions.