Page 124 of The Truth of Our Secrets

“I’ll go.” Madyson gently pulls him to her and all I see is the tattoo on Emmet’s back.

“To Unframed Art?” he asks.

“No one wants that.” She snorts. “I’ll go take care of your mom.” She’s pulled back so the tablet rests on his shoulder and I can see a sliver of his profile.

“She’s not in a good place. She might not let you in.” He’s uncertain but not rejecting her idea.

“We’re a team now. You’re not in this alone,” I whisper, since I’m right next to his ear.

“How about this?” Madyson’s restraining herself from forcing her idea on Emmet even though it’s tough seeing him struggle. “What if we FaceTime her and you can reminder her I’m your girlfriend and I’m going to make sure the assassin left? I’ll FaceTime you when I get there, so she realizes I’m safe. Will that work?”

“You’d do that for me?”

“Yes, and whatever else you need me to do so she’s okay. I can’t ink someone for you, but I got your mom. We have an understanding.” She kisses him and all the tension in his jaw and brow disappears.

I check my watch. “If you get there before ten-thirty, will you add me to the call so I can say hi?”

His mom can’t wrap her head around Emmet having a boyfriend and a girlfriend. But I want to be included so she knows who I am in case of an emergency like this one.

As I deplane, I take my phone off airplane mode and call my lawyer back. I should call Emmet and Madyson, but I want all the details before I tell them what’s going on.

I’m dizzy with the news. What he’s telling me is something out of a suspense novel, not my life. What the actual fuck?

It’s late enough that the line for a taxi is quick and I pray that traffic isn’t insane. LaGuardia sucks, but it’s only ten miles from home. The drive could take fifteen minutes or close to an hour. I call Madyson and immediately dial Emmet when she doesn’t answer.

The danger’s gone, but I need to see them. My anxiety is irrational.

The picture of Madyson, Mrs. Asher, and Emmet is the lock screen on my phone. Madyson says they’re besties now. That brings a smile to my face. She loves Madyson and is back on her meds and doing better. One less thing to worry about.

I call them both again and no answer. Weird.

Our doorman must sense my urgency because he has the elevator open with the button pushed for my floor when I enter the building.

The door bangs open, and my greeting dies in my throat. They’re naked and yell, “Surprise!”

I collapse in their arms, so relieved to touch them. I breathe deep, bringing their combine scent into my lungs.

“Daddy.” Madyson crawls into my lap after Emmet deposits me on the love seat.

“J-Bear.” He cradles my face in his warm palms. “We got you. You’re okay.”

They’re worried aboutme.

“You knew I’d be here?” I croak.

“I checked your location when you didn’t answer my call. You were at Logan airport and I tracked you home and alerted the doorman so we could celebrate.” She says it as a question.

We should celebrate. It’s over.

“I told them I wanted to tell you.” My temper rises. I flew back as soon as I could so I could be the one to break the news.

“Shane texted,” Emmet says warily. “He said the bank booby traps worked and Peter’s been arrested. This is good news.” He also says the last sentence like a question.

“I love you so much. I hate him.” She fumes. “Jail isn’t enough punishment for him.”

Emmet yanks both of us on his lap, nestles my head in the crook of his neck, and situates Madyson’s neck next to his. It’s exactly what I need. Drowning in their pheromones and miles of their naked skin.

“Sooo I guess he’s a sore loser, huh.” Emmet tries to break the tension and I laugh with surprise.

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