Emily nodded, murmuring her relief, before asking, "Does my mom know?"

"No," Elizabeth replied. "I didn't dare tell her about the kidnapping. I was terrified the shock would be too much for her heart. Since you're back now, it's up to you if you want to break the news."

"Let's keep it from her," Emily decided. "I won't be discharged for a few days anyway. I'll just tell her I'm on a business trip. There's no point in making her worry."

"Got it," Elizabeth agreed.

With that settled, Emily finally shifted her gaze to Tristan, who was standing quietly off to the side.

His face was an abstract canvas of bruises, smeared with medicinal ointment, but his expression was incredibly somber. His dark eyes were locked onto her, unblinking and intense.

Meeting her stare, he walked over, took a seat on the edge of the bed, and gently took her hand.

Conscious of the audience, she felt a flicker of self-consciousness and glanced at Elizabeth and Rose.

Catching the hint instantly, Elizabeth grabbed Rose by the arm and practically dragged her out the door.

In a matter of seconds, they were completely alone.

Emily squeezed his hand back, opening her mouth to speak just as he did.

"Are you okay?"

"Does it still hurt?"

The overlapping questions made Emily pause.

Tristan lowered his head with a bitter laugh. "What a stupid question. Of course it hurts."

Emily looked down, her thumb tracing his knuckles. "Let's not dwell on that. I'm just glad to be back. What about you? What did the doctor say about your injuries?"

He clasped her hand securely in both of his. "Nothing major. Just need some ointment and rest."

A heavy silence settled over them.

It was painfully obvious that he was brooding. Emily was about to ask what was wrong when he beat her to it.

"I failed to protect you this time."

Emily frowned softly. "How is any of this your fault?"

He lifted his head and reached out, his fingertips gently brushing her cheek.

The men had struck her brutally. Even now, a glaring red handprint stood out starkly against her pale skin.

Emily froze slightly, studying his face from mere inches away.

She could feel his fingers trembling against her skin, his touch so unbelievably

feather-light, as if he were terrified of breaking her.

His voice was barely a whisper, yet it was laced with murderous intent. "If I could, I swear I would kill them all."

Her heart skipped a beat. She

quickly grabbed his hand. "Don't say

that. Benjamin and his guys are

already locked up. I'll hire top lawyers to bury them. You don need to do anything reckless. Between tonight and the stunt he pulled at the engagement party, he's going away for life."

Tristan looked at her, his gaze so suffocatingly dark that she found it hard to maintain eye contact.

"Tristan..."

Before she could finish, he pulled her into a tender embrace, holding her as if she were made of spun glass.

"I didn't protect you," he murmured against her hair. "There won't be a next time. I promise you, never again."

Emily rubbed soothing circles on his back. "Stop blaming yourself. You saved me. I haven't even thanked you for rescuing me yet."

He stayed quiet for a long moment before saying, "From now on, I'm putting a security detail on you Theyil keep their distance and won' interfere with your life. Is that okay?

She knew that yielding to his protectiveness was the only way to ease his anxiety.

"Okay," she agreed simply.

He held her close for another long minute.

Wanting to lighten the heavy mood, she patted his back playfully. "You're the hero of the night. You deserve a reward. 1. Name it, and I do my best to make it happen, alright?

He kept his face buried in her neck and shook his head. "I don't want anything."

Emily coaxed him gently, "Come on, just say it. I'll make sure you get it."

Another stretch of silence passed before he finally pulled away. He looked at her with an indecipherable expression, his lips pulled into a tight frown.

"I said I don't need anything."