Page 39 of Hidden Dane
Sophie asked, “Do you want to bring home another loser that you know you don’t really want?”
Loser? Emily sat straighter and set herself up to argue, “Greg wasn’t-”
“Yeah, even you didn’t like him,” Sophie interrupted.
Dane snored as he turned.
Unlike Greg, Dane was everything she’d ever wanted. She brushed her fingers over his hand. “You’re right. I didn’t.”
“So give Dane a chance,” Sophie said while Dane took her hand and held it in his sleep.
Lying next to him, just for a little bit, might be good. She didn’t want anyone else. She swallowed and slipped her feet out of her shoes. “Will that be okay with Michael?”
Sophie said, “He’ll probably approve, but does that matter?”
Her brother-in-law wasn’t exactly her go-to for most valued opinion on the planet though he’d ensured they were all taken care of financially.
The ship’s engines suddenly shut off and they stopped moving. Emily’s heart raced as she told her sister, “No. Soph, I have to go.”
“Okay.” Sophie hung up.
Emily brushed her hand up and down Dane’s arm. Goosebumps raised as she heard the ship power down. She whispered, “Dane, wake up.”
“What’s going on?” He sat up immediately.
How did he not know? Adrenaline rushed through her as she said, “Listen.”
Emily slipped her shoes back on and stood to get her pocketbook as Dane asked, “To what?”
“Listen closer.” She looped her bag around her shoulder and pushed his shoes toward the bed.
He put his sneakers back on as he shook his head. “I don’t hear anything.”
“Exactly.” She pointed him toward the small sink.
Dane splashed water on his face, used the leather of his wallet to buffer the small jewels in his pocket, and then met her gaze with a dawning light in his expression. “Oh, that’s not good.”
“Yeah.” She mentally prepared for whatever happened next.
“Who was Greg?” Dane asked as he opened the door.
Neither Henry nor Brady waited for them outside the door. Not good either… She followed Dane out as she said, “A guy I brought home three years ago for Thanksgiving, but honestly, no one important.”
“Too bad I missed dinner.” They walked slowly to the stairs. “Emily, this time don’t do anything—I mean it.”
“I was good last time.” They stopped at the bottom step and Dane listened to sounds above them. She’d saved him from a worse injury, if not his life.
“You don’t…” A gunshot sounded above deck. Dane pushed her behind him like he’d protect her from any stray bullet and whispered, “Stand back.”
Not again. Not this soon. She couldn’t lose Dane. “You might be hurt worse if I hadn’t acted.”
“Still, this could be dangerous. I want you to be safe.” He walked her back to their room.
No. This wasn’t the best hiding spot. If there were thieves on the ship, then the first class rooms would be targeted. “I’ll be careful.”
“That doesn’t make me feel better.” Once inside, he closed the door behind him, locked it, then turned and said, “Look, Emily, you’re the closest thing I’ll ever have to a girlfriend, and it’s my job to protect you.”
Doubting him was her mistake. Tears formed in her eyes, though she wouldn’t cry. She wasn’t the emotional type. “I’m your girlfriend?”
