Like fucking hell they’re touching her.

Shoving him out of the way, I stride across the garage and bend over to pick up Emery. Without mouthing a word, I lift her into my arms and carry her past Evan and to the door.

“I said to let my bodyguards carry her out,” he calls out, chasing after me.

Ignoring him, I hurry through the house and out the front door. When I get to the driveway, I gently put Emery in the passenger seat of my car and check her vitals before heading around to hop in the car. Evan is exiting his house by the time I have the driver’s side door open.

“Did you just deliberately disobey me?” he asks from the front porch, while his bodyguards linger in the doorway.

Battling the urge to rush over and slam my fist into his face, I lower my head to climb in.

He runs off the steps and grabs the door as I move to shut it. “I know you can’t speak, but I know you can hear. You weren’t supposed to touch, Emery. My guards were supposed to put her in the car. Not you.”

I count to ten backwards in my head. His guards are distracted by something inside. They’re not paying attention. I could beat the shit out of him right now and peel out of here before they get to me. But then what about consequences?

Calm. Stay calm. You’ll only make the situation worse if you don’t.

Evan smirks at me like he’s won some sort of battle. “As soon as she wakes up, let me know so I can come fuck the shit out of her and remind her who’s in control.”

That’s it. Something snaps inside me—all of my control. I hop out of the car with my elbow craned back. Before he can react, I bash my fist into his nose.

He stumbles back, cursing, as he cups his nose. “You fucking—”

I cut him off with a punch to the gut and then counter the move, my knuckles colliding with his ribcage. I steal one last hit to his jawline before bailing out, because the guards have taken notice.

They holler at me as I dive back into my car and slam the door. Then I drive like mad down the road, constantly checking in my rearview mirror to see if I’m being followed. I’m not sure how this is going to go. Is Evan going to come after me himself? It seems doubtful. More than likely he’ll send someone else.

So what do I do next? I could call Doc and try to explain, but from what Evan said, Doc is the reason he injected Emery. Plus, he’s the one who’s been sending her those notes to scare her. No wonder he knew about the last note the moment Emery received it, despite the fact that Emery never brought it up.

Another question plaguing me is how in the hell did Doc find out that Emery told me he is a monster, and Evan is Donny Elderman’s son? How does he seem to know everything the moment it happens? It doesn’t make any sense.

I need to text Stale, and tell him Evan is Donny’s son. Then let him know what I’ve done before I get the fuck out of here.

Shit, this is so bad. I should feel pissed off at myself for making the same mistake again, for lose control and retaliating with violence.

I glance at Emery, leaning against the car door, completely out of it, just as powerless as me. No, I don’t feel angry at all for protecting her. It was worth it. I just wish I knew how to protect us both now.

Fuck! This isn’t fair. She shouldn’t have to go through this all because I pushed her to open up to me. I never should have brought her tonight. I had a bad feeling but went against my gut. All so I could what? Pick up another stupid package. Stay on Doc’s good side?

With one hand on the steering wheel, I yank the package out of my pocket. It seems too small to be carrying drugs. I’ve never bothered looking inside the packages I’m supposed to deliver. Usually it’s all about business, but after what they did to Emery tonight, I want to know what’s in it—what I’m doing this for.

Carefully lifting the lid off the box, I peek inside.

What the hell?

My gaze snaps to Emery. Her arm is lying lifelessly to her side. Attached to her wrist is a silver bracelet with a butterfly pendant shimmering against the glow of the streetlights filtering through the window. It’s the exact same bracelet that’s in the box except Emery’s is secured by a twist tie. I’ve noticed her wearing it before, but it was never been broken. Is that what this package is for? A replacement? Or is it something more?

I flip over the bracelet in the box and squint at the inscription on the back of the butterfly pendant. So we’ll always know where you are.

A tracking device? Is that what this is? Is that how her father seems to always know what she’s doing?

Things are starting to make sense.

I put the lid back on the box, stuff it into my pocket, and race to get home, breaking every traffic law. By the time I park the car, it’s past five o’clock in the morning and the sun is clipping the peaks of the shallow mountains. I’m exhausted and confused, but I’ve calmed down enough to come up with a plan. Carry Emery upstairs then text Stale and let him know what’s happened, see if he knows what’s wrong with Emery. See if he thinks I should take her to the hospital, and what he thinks I should do now that I’ve beaten the shit out of Evan.

My “business” phone suddenly buzzes in my pocket, and my fingers fumble as I fish it out.

Doc: You’ve really messed up, Ryler. I’m disappointed you let my daughter get to you like that. I warned you not to let her. Stay put. I’m headed there to pick her up and punish you accordingly.

Fuck. I have about an hour before he shows up, and need to make sure I’m long gone before that happens.