Page 140 of Secrets in the Deep

“You mean for doingyourjob?” Ryan asked.

Ward scowled. “You should have called me.”

“I—”

“Sheriff,” Emily interrupted Ryan, tightening her fingers around his thigh. “If Ryan hadn’t acted so quickly, I would be dead.”

“Hmph.” Ward slapped the notebook into the deputy’s chest. “We’re done here. You get some rest, Miss Prior.”

As Ryan walked Ward and his deputy out, her phone rang. She sucked in a sharp breath when she saw it was her mother.

“Mom, are you okay?”

“I’m okay.” Her mother’s voice was different. Low. Almost defeated. “I had to get some stitches in my head, and I’m staying in the hospital overnight for a concussion. How areyou?”

“I’m at home, on Ryan’s couch. I got some stitches in my leg, but I’m on some pretty strong pain meds. I’m mostly just tired.”

“Me too.” There was a short, almost awkward pause before her mother spoke again. “I’m glad you’re okay.”

“You too. Get some rest, Mom. We can talk again tomorrow.”

She hung up as Ryan crouched in front of her. “Your mom?”

“Yeah. She’s spending the night in the hospital but says she’s okay.”

“That’s good. Did she say anything about inviting that asshole into the house?”

Emily shook her head. “She didn’t know.”

His gaze shifted between her eyes. And even though he didn’t say it, she knew there was a lot hecouldhave said. About her mom. Roscoe. Ward.

And yeah, she was feeling it all too.

“I’ll make us something to eat.” He went to stand.

She grabbed his arm. “Wait. I want you to do something first.”

He lowered again. “Anything.”

Without a word, she tugged him onto the couch. He went easily, the cushion dipping as he sat beside her. Then she leaned into him and closed her eyes. The feel of his strong arm wrapping around her, holding her close, almost allowed her to forget the day from hell. Or at least, allowed the tension in her shoulders to ease.

“How’s your leg?” he asked softly.

“Honestly? My knee hurts more than the stitches. But at least it’s all the same leg, so I didn’t damage the good one.”

He growled.

“That was a semi-joke.” She looked up. “Too soon?”

“It will always be too soon.”

God, he was beautiful. Even when angry. Even when his eyes were so dark they were black, he was still the most beautiful man she’d ever laid eyes on.

“Thank you,” she whispered.

He tucked a piece of hair behind her ear. “For what?”

“Finding me. Saving me.”