Page 156 of The Wrong Brother

She doesn’t say anything, but her eyes dart to me. Does she know who I am? Anything about me?

I’m surprised by the sudden surge of embarrassment and insecurity I feel remembering every detail of my past, and thefact that soon it will be revealed to the public. And then I remember that this is probably how Shannon feels, too.

I return her gaze steadily, and she gives me a brief smile, then a nod—following Frank to the door.

“After you.”

As they disappear into the snowy night, the cabin falls wonderfully still. Only the crackle of the fire fills the silence.

Rus closes the door behind them and locks it before leaning against it for a brief moment. His shoulders drop again, as though he’d been carrying something impossibly heavy all day.

When he turns back toward me, his eyes immediately settle on my stomach.

“How’s our little passenger?”

The question is so unexpectedly gentle that my hand instinctively drifts to my belly.

“I think everything’s fine.”

“You think?”

“I don’t exactly have a dashboard with warning lights. But I’ve felt okay. Grossed out by bacon. Frank has been cooking for me.”

A smile tugs at his mouth.

“That man is a saint.”

“I’m still tired,” I say pointedly, dragging myself further back onto the bed.

“You’ve been through a great deal.”

“So have you.”

His gaze lingers on my hand for another moment before lifting to my face. “I worried about you, Emma.”

“I know.”

“I worried the entire flight. There and back.” Emotion softens his features in a way I don’t think I’ve ever seen before. “I imagined every possible disaster.”

He walks toward me slowly until only a step separates us, his tall form towering over me in the shadows of the room.

“I also learned something tonight.”

“Oh?”

He reaches for my wrist, turning it gently in his hand.

“You’re dangerous.”

Heat rises into my cheeks.

“I wouldn’t go that far.”

A quiet laugh escapes him. “I’m impressed.”

The compliment catches me off guard.

“My instructors would probably be happy to hear that.”