And there it was. The question answered right before him. The question Gavin already knew the answer to. His stomach bottomed out. Feeling his face go pale, he slowly rose as blades of wrath sliced through his chest. Blood. He wanted Dillons blood, and he wanted it now.

Emily surged to her feet, her legs shaky. Dont. Please dont, she whispered, staring into his venom-filled eyes. Bringing her hands up to his cheeks, her body trembled with his. Im here with you, Gavin, and Im fine. Silence fell, its presence suffocating as she watched Gavin try to control his features. It wasnt working though. She could see he was about to explode. I didnt tell you because I dont want you getting hurt. I dont want you getting in trouble or going through any more than you have already. Please, dont hate me for lying to you. Please dont.

Gavin had known she lied to him that night. Something deep within his gut told him she did. However, another part tricked him into believing her. Gavin gave her a look of confusion, a scowl marring his face. I could never hate you, Emily. Do you believe me when I say that?

Emily nodded, tears trickling down her cheeks.

And youre worried about me?

Yes, she admitted faintly. I have to protect you from all of this. I caused everything.

Protect me after what he did to you? he asked, the exasperation in his tone cutting through the air. Gavin lifted his hands to her face, his eyes boring into hers. My God, Emily, you didnt cause any of this, but you cant ask me not to do anything to him.

Please, she cried.

Gritting his teeth, Gavin turned away. No.

Fear shot through Emilys stomach as she watched him yank his keys from the counter. As she moved toward him, her mind on fire with images of what he was about to do, Emily broke out into hysterics she never thought possible. Shed cried many times throughout her life, but nothing held a candle to what her tiny frame was producing at this very moment. She couldnt breathe, couldnt think. Legs feeling as though she was trudging through mud, she barely made her way across the penthouse. Emily curled her fingers around the back of Gavins arm as he was about to open the front door.

Gavin turned, his expression fierce, his stare raking over her. Youre asking me not to be a man, Emily, and I cant fucking do that. I cant. Youre mine, and if I didnt leave, this wouldnt have happened. Dont ask me not to make this right in the only way I know how.

Breath seized and heart disintegrating from the notion he blamed himself, Emily hesitated a moment before lifting her hand to his face. Stroking his jaw, she shook her head, her voice a soft whisper. Gavin Blake, youre more of a man than any man Ive ever known. Youre gentle. Youre kind. Youre strong and witty. Youre personable and warm, and you can reduce most females into blithering puddles of goo with the simplest words. Dragging her fingers from his jaw, she trailed them down to his chest. You have a heart you wear on your sleeve, and you couldnt do a thing to make me fall more in love with you. Not a single thing. Pressing up on her tiptoes, she experienced a bout of nerves as she twined her hands behind his neck, bringing his face to hers. And youre not to blame for this.

Struggling against the fury burning a hole in his stomach, Gavin leaned his forehead against hers. No, Emily. If I didnt leave

And if I didnt take him back.

He shouldnt have fucking touched you, he breathed, trying to contain his rage. Its not the same thing.

I know its not. But you want to know what is? Gavin placed his hand on her hip, his fingers digging into her side as he looked away. Emily touched his cheek, bringing his gaze back to hers. If you walk out that door and go after him, youre no different than any man Ive come across. Please dont take this man away from me, Gavin. Please.

Damn it all to hell. The look in her puffy green eyes, combined with the soft plea falling from her lips, had Gavin feeling as though he was backed against a wall. His mind was fucked, completely bulldozed over by her words. Torn between the need to beat Dillon within inches of his life and not wanting to drag Emily through any more shit, tension bristled deep within Gavin.

Shed bled herself out to him, burrowing her hurt and painful memories beneath his skin. Before this, shed seemed unreachable, but today, she drowned every fear she had into a sea of trust Gavin knew only he possessed. But for fucks sake, he wouldnt be able to escape his own hostility if he let Dillon get away with what hed done. Every male instinct in Gavin screamed to demolish the man who had hurt the woman he loved. The woman who was his. Utterly fucking screwed.

Stuck in his thoughts, Gavin clenched his jaw until it ached. Staring into the eyes of the woman he knew he couldnt live without, he made a decision he hoped wouldnt haunt every waking hour of the rest of his life. I wont go after him. He cringed when the words slipped from his mouth. I promise I wont. But youre telling me where he hit you. Do you understand me? I need to know.

Emily could see the reluctance in his eyes, but sincerity rang true in his voice. Emily released a breath and nodded tightly. Yes, she cried.

Gavins chest twisted at the slice of pain in her voice. Grabbing her hand gently, he led her into the kitchen where he shut off the burner holding the seared-to-a-crisp chicken. Gavin could feel the way Emilys grip tightened when, a moment later, he made his way into the bedroom with her. Staring at one another, they stood silently, as if neither knew what to say.