My eyes welled up, and I inhaled sharply. Everything he was saying was everything that’d been in the back of my mind since I’d seen him again. “Luke…” I breathed, overcome with emotion. For a brief moment, I allowed myself to be caught up in my memories and my hopes and forgot about protecting my heart. “Please slow down, I don’t want to hurt you.”

“You’ll stay with your parents.” He sighed.

I kissed him back and clung to him. “I just need some time. Everything in my life has changed. Don’t give up on me. Please.” I stared up into his eyes.

“I’ll never give up on you. I will wait forever if I have to. In this life and into the next, I swear it.” He was adamant.

I buried my face where his neck met his shoulder and felt his soft beard against my cheek. “I love you, Luke,” I whispered.

His arms convulsed, squeezing me tighter. He pulled back, kissed my forehead, then answered, “I love you too. You taught me what love is. I don’t know what I would do without you now. When I was gone, I would remember things like this, holding you, being close to you.”

I rested my head on his chest and let him hold me. I felt his warmth seep into my skin and let him take my fear away.

The headlights of Dad’s police SUV broke our moment as he headed toward the house, with Cade’s cruiser following close behind. They parked, then headed for the front door, guns drawn. Dad put his hand up, indicating we should stay in the truck. He followed swiftly behind Cade, then they disappeared up the dark walkway and into the house.

I shuddered, suddenly overcome with cold fear. “I hate this,” I whispered. “I hate everyone being in danger because of me.”

“How is any of this because of you? And don’t say it—it isn’t even because of Will. It’s because of some asshole Will probably busted thinks he can mess with you because he’s dead. He can’t, everything will be okay, I’ll make sure of it.”

Another police cruiser pulled up behind us, and two of the officers on Dad’s force exited and headed into the house. I held fast to Luke; my eyes glued to the dark-as-pitch front porch.

The not knowing was driving me crazy. Not knowing made my tendency to assume the worst go into overdrive. My imagination conjured up some horrific possibilities—most of which were not reality based, some of which involved serial killers, and one involved aliens. I couldn’t take it anymore. I blew out a sigh and stiffened when I saw my dad come through the front door.