13. The Edge of No Return
Chapter thirteen
The Edge of No Return
Melina
My eyes drift down to the notepad in front of me. His name rests there, heavy on the page, heavier in my chest—the weight of it lives inside me.
Darren.
I told Matt he hurt me. I’m sure he’s drawn his own conclusions about what that means, but the reality is far beyond anything he could imagine.
“How exactly does Steele do all this?”
He smirks. “You don’t want to know, babe.”
A shaky laugh slips out. “That illegal, huh?”
“Let’s just say, if someone’s looking for you, Steele will find them first.”
It should make me feel better. Instead, my pulse spikes, comfort replaced by something jagged pressing under my skin. Not the same kind of fear as before, but fear all the same.
Only a few people know what really happened that night—those directly involved with the case and hospital staff. Luckily, Darren took a plea deal. He knew he was facing a life sentence, so I never had to testify in open court.
I haven’t discussed it in almost twenty years. I buried it deep, built a life around it, and convinced myself that if I didn't touch it again, it wouldn't feel real anymore.
But if Steele digs into Darren, he’ll discover the truth. Matt will too. I don’t know which scares me more—the fact that he might find out or the way he’ll look at me when he does.
I take a steady breath, trying to keep my voice level. “Do you think Steele will run all the names at once?”
Matt shakes his head. “No, he’ll prioritize.”
A flicker of hope grows in my chest. “Prioritize how?”
“He’ll focus on the most likely threat—someone local, someone with access.” He taps the pen against the notepad. “If they’re in your life now or have been recently, they go to the top of the list.”
I nod, feeling the pressure around my ribs loosen just a little. Darren wouldn’t be a priority. Steele won’t waste time on someone in prison.
I swallow the lump in my throat and lean against the counter. “That makes sense.”
Matt studies me for a moment, like he senses something’s off. His fingers brush my wrist, warm and grounding. “You okay?”
I force a smile. “Yeah.” The tension in his jaw eases, but not completely. His eyes linger, sharp and assessing. He isn’t convinced. Still, he lets it go. I keep my expression calm. Steele will start with the others. I have time. For now.
I opt for a subject change. “You know you can’t stay the night when the kids are home.”
Matt holds my gaze, nodding once. “I know.”
It’s not lost on me that he doesn’t argue, doesn’t push, doesn’t try to convince me otherwise.
He studies me for a moment, then reaches out, tucking a loose strand of hair behind my ear. “You need to talk to them, Melina. They need to understand what’s going on.
“You’re right. I will.”
I was supposed to tell them the morning after the alarm went off. That was two days ago. And yet, all they know is that the system tripped in the middle of the night. They deserve the truth.
Before I can dwell on it, my phone vibrates on the counter. A FaceTime call from Declan. His face fills the screen, framed by the familiar mess of his dorm room behind him.
I exhale and pick up. “Hey, kiddo.”
“Hey, Mom.”
“How are you? How’s school?” I ask.
“I’m good. Busy.” He shrugs. “I heard there was some excitement the other night.”
I sigh. “Harper or Spence?”
“Harp.” He grins.
Of course. Harper and Declan talked almost every day.
His grin tilts, turning sly. “So… who’s this rugged soldier guy hanging around the house?”
Heat creeps up my neck. Matt catches my eye and mouths rugged soldier guy, like it’s the funniest thing he’s ever heard.
My eyes widen. “She told you that, too?”
“She might’ve mentioned it.” He leans closer to the camera, lowering his voice like it’s some big secret. “Tall. Broody. Eats nails for breakfast. That one?”
I press a hand over my face, groaning. “Oh God.”
Declan laughs, but there’s an edge of curiosity in it. “Seriously, Mom. Who is he?”
I huff. “That would be Matt.” I turn the phone so Declan can see him. “Say hi, Matt.”
“Hey, Declan. What’s up?” Matt gives him a bro nod.
Declan’s voice comes through the speaker. “Hey, man. Thanks for looking out.”
“Anytime. Also, for the record, I don’t eat nails for breakfast.”
Declan laughs at that, and Matt does too. I, on the other hand, want to sink straight through the floor. I flip the phone back toward me. Declan’s grin is still there, but the protective sharpness in his eyes hasn’t gone anywhere.
My laugh comes out thin and nervous. “Okay, that’s enough of that.” I hesitate, then draw in a slow breath. “Listen, Dec… you should know. This is a little more serious than a tripped alarm.”
His expression changes instantly. “What are you talking about?”
I tense up. Saying it out loud makes it feel real. I force the words out. “I… I have a stalker.”
Declan’s face drops. “Jesus, Mom. What the fuck?”
I tell him everything. By the time I finish, his jaw is clenched, knuckles white around his phone.
“I’m booking a flight.”
I shake my head. “No, Dec. It’s okay, really—”
“No way in hell I’m leaving two women and a kid in that house alone with some psycho after you.”
We go back and forth—me reminding him about school, him insisting he doesn’t give a damn. His voice vibrates with fury, nostrils flaring like he’s ready to swing on the bastard responsible.
Matt seems to realize we’re at a stalemate because he steps into the frame. “Listen, man. I get it. I’ve got a mom and two little sisters.” His tone is calm, steady.
“I know it’s not my call, but here’s what’s in place: tomorrow morning, a state-of-the-art security system will be installed. Tonight, I’ll be across the street running surveillance, walking the perimeter. Nobody’s getting inside. You have my word.”
Declan’s breathing stays measured, eyes steady.
Matt continues, voice calm and confident. “We’re gonna find this guy. I’ve got the best tech genius in the world chasing down every lead, and the police are involved, too.”
Finally, Declan exhales sharply. “Okay. But promise me you’ll say something if I need to come home. I can be there tomorrow.”
I soften, nodding. “I will, honey. Thank you.”
His shoulders ease, just a little. “I love you.”
“Love you too, baby.”
He hesitates, eyes flicking toward Matt. Then, quietly, “Thanks, man. I appreciate you.”
Matt nods. “I’ll keep them safe.”
The call ends, leaving me staring at the screen, my chest tight and heavy.
I cross my arms, arching a brow. “You aren’t seriously planning on watching this house all night?”
He looks at me like I’ve lost my damn mind. “Of course I am.”
I groan. “Matty, you have work tomorrow.”
He chuckles, shaking his head. “I’ve run seventy-two-hour watches in the dirt with no sleep and no food. One night in my truck, with AC and decent coffee? That’s a beach vacation, babe. Trust me—I’ll sleep when I’m dead.”
My stomach twists at his words, my face betraying me. He exhales, then pulls me close. “Hey. Come here.” His lips brush my forehead. “Nothing is going to happen to me.”
This all happened so fast. It’s intense. I see it in his eyes, too—realization hitting both of us at once.
A nervous laugh escapes me. “This is crazy, right?”
“Do you think we should slow down?” he asks.
I don’t respond. He leans back slightly, searching my face.
“You do.” Not a question.
I exhale, the storm inside me pushing for release. “If I’m being honest? I don’t know what to think. I just know that whatever this is, I don’t want to rush it and ruin everything before we even get a chance.”
His hands cradle my face, fingers tracing the line of my cheek, memorizing me. “That’s fair.”
His gaze drops to my mouth, lingering for a beat before flicking back to my eyes. “I don’t want to screw it up either.”
I swallow. I feel like I’m standing on the edge of something dangerous—something I'm willing to dive into headfirst.
Then he smirks. “Besides, the sexual tension? It’s fucking hot.”
A surprised laugh escapes me. “Oh, it is now?”
“Hell yeah.” His voice dips lower, teasing. “I like watching you squirm.”
My stomach flips. “Well, that’s rude.”
He doesn’t answer—just grips my waist, guiding me back until the counter presses into my spine. My breath catches as his body follows, closing the gap between us. I gasp, palms pressed against his chest, the hard lines of muscle tense under my touch.
His lips brush the shell of my ear. “You really want to slow things down?”
My response is stolen as his teeth nip sharply at my earlobe. Desire twists deep in my core. His mouth finds the tender spot behind my ear, then moves lower—leaving a trail of hot, wet kisses down my neck. My fingertips curl into his shirt, tugging him closer.
By the time he reaches the hollow of my throat, I’m trembling. His tongue dips in, unhurried and deliberate, a shiver ripping through me.
“Oh, Matt…” His name slips out, ragged, desperate. He groans, fingers biting into my hips.
“Christ, Melina. His breath lingers, scorching my skin. “Hearing you say my name like that? It wrecks me.”
He presses closer, pulling me flush until there’s no space left—his arousal hard and insistent against my belly.
“Do you feel that, baby? His tone scrapes low, thick with need. That’s what you do to me.”
My hands slide under his shirt, dragging up his back, then down the firm planes of his stomach. He goes rigid, all tension and restraint. Before I can reach further, he catches my wrists, holding me at the edge of no return.
His eyes glitter, mischief sparking. “I thought we were taking things slow.”
My voice stutters. “What the hell do you call this?”
His smirk deepens as he finally lets go, fire flashing in his gaze. I dig my nails into his ass, grinding harder against him. A guttural sound rumbles out as he braces himself on the counter behind me.
“Fuck, Melina.”