Page 85 of Emmy's Ride

I took a step forward. “I can help. I know what to look for.”

“I don’t care. You’ve been through enough. You need to heal, not march into another war zone.”

I heard what he was saying, and he was probably right. I was too fucked up in the head to deal with anymore. Even the chanceof being taken prisoner by The Ghost again left me shaken and weak. The need to stay near Austin and not be left behind was a stronger force.

“I understand, but…” I pressed, desperate for him to understand. “What if I stay back with Jax. Please, Austin. The thought of you walking out that door without me, leaving me behind, is emotionally crippling to me.”

Austin stared at me for a long time, muscles ticking in his jaw. I could see the battle inside him—his need to keep me safe versus the truth of what I was saying.

Finally, he let out a slow breath. “Fine. But you stay with Jax. And you do exactly what I say.”

I nodded. “Thank you. You have my word.”

The fight left him all at once, his shoulders slumping. He reached for me then, pulling me against him. He tried to kiss me, but I turned my head at the last second. His lips landed on my cheek instead.

Austin froze, pulling back just enough to search my face. “Emmy?”

I couldn’t do it. Couldn’t let his mouth touch mine. Not after what I had done. Not after what I had willingly done.

“I can’t,” I whispered, wrapping my arms around myself. “Not yet.”

Pain flickered across his face, but he didn’t push. He just nodded, stepping back.

I let out a breath. “Let’s just focus on getting Luke and Raven back.”

“You’re still mine, Emmy. Whatever’s in your head right now, whatever you think—you’re still mine.”

I didn’t say anything in response. Because the truth was… I didn’t know how to recover from what I’d been through. I wasn’t sure I ever would.

The mood at breakfast was tense but focused. Austin had gathered the men who’d come with him to Mexico, the ones he trusted with his life. Jax stood at the head of the table, pulling up a satellite image on his laptop.

“I did some digging last night,” he said. “Based on what Emmy described and what Riot’s contact said, we’ve confirmed Luke is being held here.” He tapped a section of dense jungle. “It’s a high-security compound. Heavy arms, cartel muscle, and The Ghost’s personal guard.”

Austin leaned forward. “We need more men.”

Riot nodded. “I know some guys. Mercenaries, ex-military. They don’t come cheap, but they don’t ask questions either.”

“Get them,” Austin ordered.

Tank pushed back from the table. “We’ll head out now to get them on board. Be back by nightfall.”

Austin nodded. “We leave at dawn.”

I needed to sleep, but I lay in bed and stared at the ceiling, turning over all the plans for tomorrow in my mind as well as worrying about Austin and Luke.

Austin lay beside me, but there was an invisible wall between us since I wouldn’t allow his kiss earlier.

He turned his head toward me. “Talk to me.”

I shook my head.

“Emmy.” His voice was raw. “You’re shutting me out.”

“I just need time,” I murmured.

He sighed but let it drop. Instead, he rolled onto his side and pulled me against him.

I didn’t fight it. Didn’t fight him. Because even if I couldn’t handle his kiss, I needed his warmth. Needed the steady, comforting strength of him.

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