The Edge of Trust

Chapter 3

The chaos that had occurred only seconds before was drowned out by the quiet in Emily's flat. Her fingers were still on the glass of water that Ethan had pushed into her palms as she perched on the edge of the couch. The adrenaline hadn't completely subsided, but her pulse had stabilized. Ethan was leaning against the wall across from her, his arms folded, his keen eyes following her every step. 

He broke the silence by whispering, "You should've let me drive you home."

With a sigh, Emily set the glass down on the table. "I didn't require a driver. I required room.

He tightened his jaw. Emily, you were just assaulted in a parking garage. Now is not the moment to demand independence.

Something in her was triggered by the words, and she became agitated. "I can take care of myself."

With a quiet snort, Ethan pushed off the wall and approached her. "All right. That's why you came within a split second of being pulled into a shadowy alley."

Emily's hands clenched into fists, but she leaned back and sighed instead of snapping. "I don't need saving, Ethan."

His face changed. He studied her with a small twist of his head. He answered, "I think you do," in a calmer tone. "You just don't know how to accept it."

She didn't want to acknowledge how deeply the remarks affected her.

Control had been the foundation of her life. managing cases. regulating feelings. regulating results. But she had been helpless tonight. And it had been Ethan who had rescued her.

Emily averted her gaze and swallowed. "I don't want to talk about it anymore."

Ethan laughed softly, but it was a serious laugh. "You obviously don't. I take it that's what you do? Keep people away as soon as they approach too closely.

She jerked her head in his direction. "You're not familiar with me.

"Perhaps not," he said, advancing a step. "But I know the look of someone who's been fighting alone for too damn long."

She felt cold when she heard those words. She was angry that he was correct.

Emily needed space, so she pushed off the couch and went to the kitchen. Ethan, however, trailed behind her and stopped shortly after. In both the greatest and worst ways, his presence was oppressive.

"You're right," she whispered at last, holding onto the counter. "I do exclude individuals. Because each time I've allowed someone inside, they've made me regret it.

Ethan remained quiet for a while. Then he spoke quietly but firmly. "I'm not them."

Their faces were uncomfortably close together, so she turned slightly. She gasped. Something—determination, care, something deeper—was visible in his gaze.

She might push him away. She ought to push him away.

Instead, she said in a whisper, "I know."

And she let herself believe it for the first time in years.

The familiar smell of paper and coffee calmed Emily as she entered her office the following morning. She was uneasy after spending the night with Ethan. Because of him, not only because of the attack.

He was pushing through barriers she had up for years. Furthermore, she wasn't certain if she needed or despised it.

Alison, her assistant, gave her a knowing glance. As she handed Emily a packet, she remarked, "You look like you didn't sleep." Additionally, there is someone in your office who is waiting for you.

Emily scowled. "Who?"

Alison paused. "You might want to see for yourself."

Emily walked stoically to her office and pulled the door open, feeling depressed.

Just like that, she was struck by the past.

Nathan.

His hands were in his pockets as he stood by the window, his well-known form tense. His piercing blue eyes turned toward her with something unfathomable, and his dark hair was a little more unkempt than normal.

Before she composed herself, Emily's breath caught for a fraction of a second. "What are you doing here?"

Nathan gave a half-smile that fell short of his eyes as he fully turned. "I'm glad to meet you as well, Em

"Stop calling me that," she yelled.

His face remained unwavering. "I became aware of the matter. I wanted to check in.

Emily folded her arms. "I don't need you checking in."

Nathan stepped forward. "Come on, Emily. Following everything—"

She cut in, "We have nothing to talk about," in a calm voice.

Clearly irritated, Nathan let out a breath through his nostrils. "You're still as stubborn as ever."

Emily was about to respond when there was a knock on the door.

Then it opened.

Ethan.

As soon as he entered, the atmosphere in the space changed. His demeanor was unreadable as his eyes darted between Emily and Nathan. However, Emily could see it in his jaw's ticking and the tiny stiffness in his shoulders.

She recognized it because she had seen it too often on herself.

Ownership

Nathan looked him over with a raised eyebrow. "And you are?"

Not a beat was missed by Ethan. "Ethan Knight." There was a hint of sharpness in his smooth voice. "And you?"

Nathan grinned a little. "Carter, Nathan. Emily's old acquaintance."

Emily noticed that Ethan's eyes darkened somewhat.

Nathan faced her once more. "You never mentioned having company."

Emily tightened her jaw. "Because it's none of your business."

The small curvature of Ethan's lips suggested that he was amused. "She is correct. It isn't.

Nathan's mouth tightened.

The room's energy had changed. Two men were assessing each other in a covert but evident combat that neither was willing to disclose.

Emily rubbed her temples and moaned. "Nathan, if this isn't about the case, you should go."

Nathan paused, looking into her eyes. He almost seemed hurt for a moment. Then he gave a nod. "All right. Just, Emily, watch out."

With that, he left the office, walking by Ethan.

Between her and Ethan, there was silence.

Then Ethan looked at her and grinned. "Old friend, huh?"

Emily sank into her chair with a groan. "Don't start."

Ethan folded his arms and leaned against the desk. "I didn't intend to. However, Hayes, you ought to be aware of something.

She was already tired when she looked up at him. "What?"

Something darkened in his eyes that could not be read. "I don't share."

Her heart thumped.

And she knew, deep down, but neither did she.

Cliffhanger: Ethan was already inside the walls that Emily had constructed. And more than anything else, that frightened her.