You didn’t come to see me all these years.

“You don’t need to be concerned about my well-being.” I ran my free hand over my arm as chilling air kissed my bare skin.

A muscle of his jaw ticked. Shrugging off his jacket, he placed it over my shoulders. I tried to go away from his overwhelming presence but he held me in place and secured it around me. His intoxicating scent filled my senses.

“I will always be concerned for your well-being, Emerald. I can’t stop doing it even if I want to. And I won’t.”

“Why?” I looked up into his intense gray eyes. His arms were still around me.

Why wasn’t I pulling away?

“Because I care for you.”

As a little sister? A sourness rose in my throat.

“And why do you care for me?” I asked. My tone was bitter.

Leaning in, he nuzzled my hair, breathing me in. A shiver ran down my spine. Then he pulled away and peered into my soul, briefly glancing down at my parted lips.

“Let’s keep the answer for another day. Let time unfold the inevitable of its own.” Tucking a strand behind my ear, he turned around and strode away, leaving me there. Cold and confused.

What did he mean by inevitable?

Whatever, I didn’t care. Looking back up at the sky, I took a deep breath to calm myself down. Composing myself, I sauntered back inside.

I found him at the feet of the huge staircase, talking to a bald middle-aged man. But his gaze was on me.

Averting my stare, I stopped a passerby waiter.

“Yes, ma’am? What’d you like to have?” He pointed to the variety of drinks on his tray.

“Nothing, but I need you to do something.” Shrugging off the jacket, I handed it to him. “Would you please return it to Mr. Valencian? He forgot it with me.”

The waiter followed my gaze, and seeing the tightness of Ace’s jaw, the color of his face drained. He fumbled in his place with the tray and jacket in both of his hands. Before he could object, I thanked him and left.

The more I’d be away from him, and things related to him, the more it’d be good for me.

“Em? Where were you? You okay? I was about to go to you, but Tobias said to give you some time alone. Is everything all right?” Warner fired as soon as he saw me. Standing beside him, my brother eyed me with concern.

I gave him a tight smile. “Everything is fine. Don’t worry. I just needed some fresh air.”

He didn’t look convinced, but nodded, anyway. That’s what I liked about him, he never forced me to do anything I didn’t want to.