“This isn’t over,” I warn her as she makes her way over to the door.
“It is,” she replies as she flips the lock open, making me roll my eyes.
“I was serious when I said—”
“I know, you’re ‘done fucking around,’” she says with finger quotes, which if anyone else did them, it would drive me insane.
“It’s true,” I remind her. “You’re mine.”
“We’ll see,” she says as she pulls open the door, giving my meddlesome but loveable sister entrance.
Yes, we will.
“Where have you been?” she snaps as she looks between us.
Claire can’t find anything wrong, even though she’s a damn good detective and I know it. When she knocked on the door, it was all I could do to calm Emma down as I had just slid her panties and scrub pants up her legs and tied the drawstring in a neat little bow. I would have loved to have had more time with Emma to talk about what had just happened but it looks as if my luck hasn’t changed much.
But when I tucked myself back in my pants and buckled my belt, everything changed. Emma used those precious moments to re-erect the walls she previously held between us. So now she’s in a fluster to get out of my office and put some much-needed distance between us. And I’d give her that play—for now.
But as I watch her, I can’t help but think maybe Wes was right after all. Maybe Emma nees a push. So she can run, but I’m going to chase her, because this is right. I’ve never felt surer of anything in my life, and I’m done feeling guilty and fighting it.
“Well?” Claire snaps.
“I was here,” I answer. She shoots me a hard look, and I know she’s watching me for any inconsistencies, but there are none. What’s happening between Emma and me is none of her business, at least not yet.
“Dispatch is trying to page you,” she says quickly. “There was another body.”
“Fuck,” I bite out. I should not have fucked Emma in my office, but I will not regret it, because whether she knows it or not, she gave me the opening I have been waiting months for.
“I should go prep the Body Mover for transport,” she says quietly—too quietly.
“Em—” I start, but she’s already out the door. I stand up to go after her, but Claire stops me.
“Let her go,” she commands me gently.
“Don’t,” I warn my only living sister. We had grown up, just Claire and me, but after we learned of a half-sister no one knew about after she was murdered, I realized that life was too short and that I had to make the most of it. But that doesn’t mean I’m going to let Claire walk all over me now. That doesn’t mean she won’t try, but it’s who we are.
“Do you know what you’re doing with her?” The way Claire looks at me says she doesn’t exactly trust me with her only friend. And she has a point. I’m not the hero in this story. But I’m also not going to let her discourage me for going after what I want. What I need.
“Yes,” I answer honestly, looking her in the eyes so she knows how serious I take these words. “I’m making her mine.”
“But at what cost, Lee?”
“I love her.”
Her face softens. “Then go get your girl.”
“Christ. Pregnancy has made you soft,” I tease her.
“If you think I’m bad, you should see Wes,” she says with a mischievous smile. “He cries at the drop of a hat these days.”
“I know. He’s a regular water pot.”
“Love you,” she murmurs softly, wrapping her arms around my middle.
“Love you too, sis.”