Third Chance Read Online Free Page B

the least. No, right now his Mistress was struggling to keep her iron self-control intact while the police told her about the surveillance equipment that had riddled her home. Emma gripped Ryan’s hand hard enough that her nails dug into his palm, but he didn’t try to loosen her grip. He was here for her, however she needed him.
    Detective Hornbeck, the same woman who’d talked to them at the hospital, glanced down at her notebook, then back up at Emma. “Our crime lab will go over the devices we’ve found, but I can tell you right now that it’ll take time, and we may not find anything.”
    “Or we could get lucky and lift a print,” Officer Daniels said, with a small smile for Emma.
    Ryan narrowed his gaze at Officer Daniels, but Detective Hornbeck ignored him. “We’ve got an abundance of evidence, but like I said, it’s going to take time to dig through it all.”
    Emma nodded, her movements slow and controlled despite the faint tremble running through her. “Do you have any idea who could have done this?”
    With a sigh, Detective Hornbeck set her notepad down and leaned forward so her elbows were resting on her knees and gave Emma a level look. “We have theories, but that’s all they are at this point — theories. What we do know is that someone out there is very likely obsessed with you and obsessions don’t just stop.”
    “But we’ll keep you safe,” Officer Daniels added with a gentle smile for Emma that Ryan didn’t like one bit.
    Detective Hornbeck gave Officer Daniels and exasperated look before continuing, “I’m assuming you’ll be staying here?”
    Ryan squeezed Emma’s hand. “Yes.”
    “Good. I’ve talked with Mr. O’Shay and he’s assured me that your home will be well protected at all times.”
    “Who’s that?”
    “Justan.” Emma gave him a questioning look. “Justan’s last name is O’Shay.”
    “Very smart man, despite looking like he belongs in a heavy metal band.” Detective Hornbeck relaxed a little bit and leaned back against the couch. “He found some things at your home that our techs missed.”
    Emma shifted next to him. “Like what?”
    “Some listening devices and a GPS tracker on your car.”
    “A tracker?” Emma took in an unsteady breath and Ryan hated the look of fear twisting her face. “Jesus Christ, is there any part of my life he didn’t invade? Any time he wasn’t watching me?”
    Officer Daniels leaned forward, and his hand twitched as if he wanted to reach for Emma. “I’m sorry, Ms. Simonov, I really am. I can only imagine the sense of violation you must feel right now, but please know that I will personally do whatever I can to make sure this guy gets caught.”
    Giving her partner a censoring look, Detective Hornbeck sighed. “So, Emma, will you be staying with Ryan, just in case we need to contact you?”
    Ryan said yes while Emma said no, then turned to look at him with narrowed eyes. “I can stay with Moira.”
    “No way.”
    Oh, Emma did not like that, and her shoulders came up straight while a familiar, determined glint flashed through her eyes. “I’m perfectly capable of—”
    “We all know you’re perfectly capable of taking care of yourself. That isn’t the point. I’m not letting you out of my sight until this psycho is caught, and I’m certainly not letting you make yourself twice as tempting of a target by staying with Moira. Two beautiful women like yourself, alone in that big house? Not gonna happen.”
    Ice wreathed her voice as she leaned forward. “You don’t get to tell me what to do.”
    “Yes, I do, because I’m your man, I love you, and if anything happened to you I’d never forgive myself. Please, give this to me.”
    Emma blinked once, twice, then her shoulders relaxed and she titled her head to the side. With a quick glance at an impassive Detective Hornbeck and a scowling Officer Daniels watching them, a hint of pink came to her cheeks. “Yes, well, we can discuss it later.”
    Something