Chapter 26

CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

She knew something was wrong the moment she laid eyes on him. Her heart tumbled into her stomach, and her words jammed in her throat as she stared at Dare’s stoic expression.

He paused in the doorway, his face inscrutable as he studied her. “Ainsley… I need to tell you something.”

It felt as if a vise had clenched around her lungs, making it hard to breathe. Something had happened, something bad. She had just spoken to Kinley yesterday. Had something happened to her parents? Was it Brynlee?

“My family,” she managed to choke out. “Are… Are they okay?”

Dare gave a tiny nod and stepped farther into the room, closing the distance between them. “Your parents and sisters are fine as far as I’m aware.”

Still, the tension pulling at his features didn’t abate, and her pulse kicked up. “What is it?”

The sympathy in his gaze tore at her soul, and his next words ripped at her heart. “It’s about Tess.”

Oh, God. Ainsley pressed one hand to her chest. “What happened? Is she hurt?”

She should have known something was wrong when she got that phone call last night. She blamed it on the connection, but now she had a horrible feeling that wasn’t it at all. What if Tess needed her help and Ainsley hadn’t been able to reach her?

“Where is she? I need to see her.”

Dare took another tiny step forward and shook his head. “Someone broke into her house. It looks like she was sleeping at the time.”

Ainsley blinked at him, not comprehending the strange undercurrent of his statement. “So she scared them off?”

Dare stared at her for a long moment before shaking his head again. “I’m sorry. She didn’t make it.”

“No.” Ainsley shook her head. Everything inside her revolted at the thought. “That’s impossible. She just called. I just talked to her.”

“You never actually heard her voice,” Dare said softly.

Ainsley refused to believe it. “No. You’re wrong. I’m going to call her right now. You’ll see.”

“Honey…”

“No!” She grabbed up her phone and dialed Tess’s number. She kept her eyes glued on the screen, heart pounding furiously as she waited for the call to connect. Before it even had a chance to ring, Tess’s voicemail message kicked on.

Ainsley stabbed the button to end the call, then immediately redialed, fingers shaking uncontrollably. It immediately rolled over to voicemail.

“I’m sorry,” Dare repeated softly.

The room swam before her eyes, and it felt like the floor had dropped out from under her feet. The phone slipped from her fingers and she grabbed the edge of the desk as she fought to stay upright. Dare’s strong hands wrapped around her biceps.

“No.” She pressed her hands against his chest. “She can’t be gone. She…”

Her voice cracked, and Dare eased her closer. “I’m sorry, honey. I wish I was wrong.”

Ainsley closed her eyes against the scalding tears and allowed herself to lean into Dare’s solid body. He didn’t say anything else. He just wrapped his arms around her and gently stroked her back, holding her as she cried.

Ainsley wasn’t sure how much time passed as they remained that way. Her eyes and throat burned, and she felt numb from the top of her head all the way down to the tips of her toes. Her muscles felt leaden as she peeled away, extricating herself from Dare’s grasp.

She kept her chin down as she swiped away the moisture that clung to her cheeks. “Thank you for telling me.”

She stood there for a moment, unsure what to do now. She still couldn’t believe it, didn’t want to believe it was real. But Dare had no reason to lie to her, and he would never have told her unless he was absolutely certain.

“Do you want some coffee? I might have some tea somewhere…”

She hated the pity that underscored his softly spoken words. Ainsley shook her head. “No, thanks. I just… I need a few minutes to… process everything.”

Dare hesitated for a long moment before nodding. “If you need anything, I’ll be right here.”

“Thanks.” She forced a smile she didn’t feel and woodenly made her way out of the house and up to the suite.

Tears blurred her vision once more as she flipped the lock into place, then crossed to the bedroom. She didn’t bother to kick off her shoes or undress. She just curled up and let the tears come once more.

* * *

Ainsley jerked awake, her eyes flying wide. They felt gritty and sore, and it took a moment for her vision to adjust. Day had given way to night, the dark lapis of evening sky visible through the window. She blinked again and stretched, every muscle protesting violently.

Memories from earlier came flooding back, and she flopped back to the bed, squeezing her eyes shut. Poor Tess. She still couldn’t believe her best friend was really gone.

A soft knock came from the direction of the front door and she jackknifed to a sitting position, heart leaping into her throat. Had Joel come for her too?

She shook the thought away. She was being ridiculous. Joel couldn’t get to her; Dare wouldn’t let him get close.

She slipped off the bed and padded toward the small kitchen area. She glanced out the window just in time to see Dare turn and head back toward the stairs. Ainsley rushed toward the door and yanked it open. “Dare?”

One foot on the first step, he paused turned at the sound of her voice. “Hey. Sorry if I bothered you.”

“You didn’t.” She cocked her head. “Did you need something?”

“I just came to see if you’d eaten yet.”

He didn’t mention Tess, and for that she was grateful. She wasn’t ready to analyze her feelings just yet. “I’m not sure I can eat anything,” she replied honestly. Her stomach still felt like it was tied in one giant knot.

“I made soup,” he said quietly, his gaze roving over her face. “I can bring some up if you’d like.”

She deliberated for a moment before nodding. “Actually, I’ll come down if you don’t mind.”

Right now she didn’t want to be alone. She took a moment to lock up, then followed Dare downstairs.

“Can you grab us something to drink?” he asked once they’d entered the kitchen.

Dare moved away to fill two bowls with fragrant soup, and Ainsley’s stomach rumbled. Even if she didn’t quite feel up to eating, her body needed the nutrients. They sat at the table and tucked into their food, a comfortable silence settling over them.

Ainsley glanced at Dare from beneath her lashes. He was so different from her ex. She was touched that he’d come to check on her and had been concerned enough to make her dinner. Even now he was caring for her, though he tried not to be obvious about it. She could feel him watching her when she wasn’t looking, his intent gaze sliding over her from head to toe.

For a moment she wished he was watching her not because she was injured, but because he truly cared about her. It was irrational, but a small sliver of her wondered what it would be like to be with a man like Dare. He was solid and steadfast, and he cared deeply for those close to him.

She bit back a sigh. It didn’t matter how she felt. She was not only his tenant, but now he viewed her as a victim. She hated that. She hated feeling broken and helpless.

Joel may have stripped her independence away, but this would be a fresh start for her. From now on, nothing and no one would hold her back.