Page 72 of Unbalanced

“Maybe you didn’t understand me the first time. I’m not interested in your theories, keeping secrets, or teaming up with you in any way.”

I tug on my jacket cuffs, annoyed.

“Please, just tell me if he mentioned anything to you that night about a case.”

“He didn’t mention anything to me regarding a case.”

Jen glances down the hallway where Emily disappeared.

“Do you think he would’ve told Emily?”

I chuckle.

“Even if he did, I doubt she’s going to tell you, considering what you and Rob were doing on the side.”

Jen doesn’t even have the decency to look embarrassed now.

“I loved him,” she says, sounding as pathetic as the expression on her face.

“I don’t care.” I let my words sit with her before stepping back. “Now…you’ve overstayed your welcome and need to leave.”

She hesitates a beat, like she’s still considering going after Emily, so I step into her line of sight.

“I said leave. Do I need to call the sheriff to have you removed? That is certainly going to look embarrassing in your file.”

Her hands clench, but she turns quickly and walks out the door.

I stand sentry, watching until her car is gone before searching for Emily. God help Jen Hiller if Emily has snuck out the back door and left without me.

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

ALDEN

Soft piano music drifts into the hallway from the parlor where my brother’s casket sits. My shoes echo, but my stride slows when I spot a shadow moving under the coat room door.

I grab the handle and pull the door open. Emily jumps and turns to look at me. Without saying a word, I step inside.

“Alden…I know this must look odd, but I just needed a moment away from…” Emily waves her hand. “All of this with Rob, and…her.”

I usually keep the darkness inside me on a very short leash. It’s a vicious little beast wherein jealousy and rage become indistinguishable. Emily has ripped the fucking chain from my hand.

She is mine.

Whether Emily remembers that night is irrelevant. I remember. My body remembers. And apparently that deranged part of me has decided that once is enough to make the ruling permanent. We signed in blood.

Watching my brother’s mistress get under her skin does something violent to me. Because jealousy means she cares. And the possibility that Emily has even a scrap of feeling left for Rob makes me want to tear through every civilized layer I’ve spent years perfecting.

Emily isn’t leaving this coatroom until there is no confusion left between us. No fucking question about where she belongs.

Last time, she was too out of it.

This time, I’ll make damn sure I’m unforgettable.

Reaching back, I turn the lock. The click is loud in the quiet space. Emily’s eyes widen, and she wets her lips when I step toward her, unbuttoning my suit jacket. She lifts her chin despite visibly trembling.

I slip the jacket off and leave it on the coat rack, then remove my cufflinks and roll up my sleeves.

“Alden…”