Chapter 31 The Way Home
THE WAY HOME
EMMA
The elevator opens directly into the penthouse. I step out and stop.
Floor-to-ceiling windows span the far wall. The city sprawls beneath us, a glittering grid of streets and buildings stretching to the horizon. The living room alone could swallow my apartment twice. Modern furniture in neutral tones. Art on the walls I recognize from museum catalogues.
I turn in a slow circle, take in the space. My shadow catches in the polished floor. I don't quite belong here, surrounded by all this glass and money. But Kai hobbles in behind me on his crutches like it's just another room, I try to see it through his eyes. Just home.
“What do you think?” he asks.
“It's beautiful.” I mean it, even if beautiful feels inadequate.
Someone clears their throat.
I spin around. The man standing by the kitchen island is built like a wall.
Broad shoulders, shaved head, tattoos climbing his neck.
He wears a leather vest with patches. I don't know what they mean, but everything about him reads motorcycle club.
Massive and intimidating. The kind of presence that fills a room just by existing.
“Emma,” Kai says. He shifts his weight on the crutches, won't quite meet my eyes. “This is Tank. He's been... watching over you. Since the night James showed up at your apartment.”
I step closer so he can't avoid looking at me. “Define watching.”
“Protection detail.” Kai's gaze finally lifts to mine. “After what happened, I needed to know you were safe.”
I turn to Tank. “You've been following me for weeks?”
“Yes, ma'am.” No apology in his tone. Just fact.
I think about the figure I saw that night, walking home from the hospital. The shadow that kept pace with me, then vanished.
“The night I walked home from St. Catherine's,” I say slowly. “That was you.”
Tank nods once.
“Has James...” I swallow. “Have you seen him? Near me?”
Tank's expression doesn't change, but his jaw tightens. “Three times.”
The floor tilts. “Three?”
“First night, he was waiting outside your building. Saw me, changed his mind. Second time, he followed you from the dance studio. Got within half a block before my brother intercepted him. Third time was outside your office. He sat in a car across the street for two hours. Left when I approached.”
Three times. James was that close, three times, and I never knew. The panic attacks, the checking locks, the constant looking over my shoulder. I thought I was being paranoid.
I wasn't paranoid enough.
“Why didn't you tell me?” I ask Kai.
“I didn't want you to be more afraid than you already were.” He holds my gaze. “And I didn't want you to feel like I was controlling your life.”
“There's a difference between controlling and protecting.”
“Is there?”
The question hangs between us. He's genuinely asking. After James, after everything, he doesn't trust himself to know where that line falls.
I turn back to Tank. “Thank you. For keeping him away from me.”
Tank's eyes sweep over me. Assessing, but not unkind. Cataloging details out of habit.
“No need.” His voice is deeper than I expected.
“Rhodes.” He turns to Kai. “Place is clear. Swept it twice.”
“Thank you. Anything I should know?”
“Building security is solid. I added a few upgrades. Motion sensors on the terrace, secondary lock on the service entrance.” He pulls a card from his pocket, hands it to me. “My number. Anything feels off, you call. Day or night.”
I take the card. “Thank you, again. For everything.”
The corners of his mouth lift. Not quite a smile, but close.
“Just doing my job, ma'am.”
“Emma,” I say. “Please. Ma'am makes me feel old.”
This time, warmth flickers in his eyes. “Emma, then. I'll be around. You won't always see me, but I'll be there.”
He nods to Kai, lets himself out. The elevator doors close behind him with a soft chime.
And then it's just us.
Kai sways slightly on his crutches. I'm at his side before I can think.
“Hey. Time to sit down.”
“I'm fine.”
“You're about to fall over.”
“I'm not—“ He stumbles. I catch his arm. “Okay. Maybe sitting would be good.”
I help him to the couch, a massive sectional that could seat fifteen comfortably. He sinks into it with a sigh of relief, propping his boot on the coffee table.
“Better?”
“Much.” He watches me as I stand there, uncertain what to do with my hands. “Guest room is down the hall, second door on the left. There's an en-suite.”
“Thank you.”
“I can give you a tour later. When I'm less likely to collapse.” He sighs, leans back. His throat bobs when he swallows, and I want to press my lips to it.
I grab my duffel, rush down the hall. The guest room is gorgeous. King-sized bed, plush carpet, windows overlooking the city. The en-suite has a rainfall shower and a tub deep enough to swim in.
I'm here. In his home. For the next two weeks.
I take a breath. Then another.
On my way back to the living room, I pass an open door. I peek inside. A home office, sleek and minimal. A painting on the wall. Oh my god… he didn’t…
The blue streak. Bold and electric against the muted background. The piece from the museum, the one from the night we met.
I rush back to the living room.
“Kai.” My voice comes out strange. “The painting in your office.”
He sits straighter. “Yes?”
“When did you buy it?”
“That same night.” He watches me. “After you left.”
I press my hand to my sternum. “You bought the life-changing painting?”
His mouth curves. “It lived up to that.”
“Kai, that must have cost—“
“Every time I see it, I think of that night.” He shifts on the couch. “The way the light caught your hair. The way you focused when you were sketching.”
I don't know what to say. My throat feels tight.
“Come sit with me,” he says softly.
I settle onto the couch beside him. Close but not touching. The city glows through the windows as the sun begins its descent.
“Emma...”
The elevator chimes.
We both jump.
Logan steps out, grocery bags in his arms. “Honey, I'm home! I brought provisions. Figured you two would need actual food, not whatever sad takeout golden boy was planning to order.”
Kai groans. “Your timing is impeccable.”
“I know.” Logan grins, unrepentant. “You're welcome.”
I laugh, the tension breaks. Whatever moment we were about to have will wait.
That's okay. We have time now.