Free Hunted by Denise Grover Swank Page A

don’t know what it means, but I think it confirms your father has something to do with who you and Jake are. Especially since he looked for you when he knew you were pregnant with Jake.”
    She turned around and leaned her back against the wall. “But how did he know? I hadn’t told anyone . I was too embarrassed and ashamed.”
    “I don’t know, maybe Alex?”
    She shuddered. “What kind of sick twisted man would condone a man raping his daughter?”
    “I’m not saying he did and even if he did know, you don’t know that he condoned it. For all he knew, it was consensual.”
    “Still…”
    “Emma, I’m not making excuses for the sperm donor who fathered you twenty-seven years ago. He left you with that bitch of a mother and never showed his face. I think the man’s a piece of shit. I’m just saying you don’t know what his motivation was.”
    She sighed, suddenly weary. “Finding out about my father was supposed to make me happy. I’ve wondered about him my whole life. Why am I so upset?”
    Will slid next her, his back against the wall. “It’s a lot to take in. That night in the cornfield you told me you’d always wished for a father when you were a little girl. I suspect you created a fantasy about who he was and why he couldn’t be with you.”
    Her throat burned. How did he know her so well? She’d daydreamed that her mother stole her from him and he searched the earth looking for her. But her father never came. It was a stupid childhood dream.
    Will laced his hand through hers. “Bottom line is he didn’t live up to the fantasy. Of course you’re torn finding out about him.”
    She closed her eyes and a tear fell down her cheek.
    “But there’s one positive thing.”
    Emma lifted her chin. “What?”
    “Jake got his affinity for fire from you, not Alex.”
    She hadn’t considered that aspect. He was right and it gave her comfort. She squeezed his hand and leaned her head into his arm. “We should probably go back inside. Grandma’s going to wonder where we are.”
    “Oh, I suspect she knows, but you’re right. Besides, we should probably leave for Kansas City soon. I’m concerned the Cavallo and Warren’s men are close, watching for us. The sooner we get out of Missouri the better.”
    She nodded and Will pulled her into his arms and kissed her gently.
    “What was that for?”
    He brushed the hair off her cheek, staring in her eyes with a look of affection Emma couldn’t deny. “I just want you to know I’m here.”
    She allowed herself this moment, hating herself for being weak enough to want more. Yet she couldn’t commit to him, no matter how much part of her wanted to. Whatever Will felt for her wasn’t real and she couldn’t let herself forget it. If the mark were to disappear tomorrow, who was to say he’d still love her?
     
    They told her grandmother goodbye and Will gave her his cell phone number in case anyone came looking for Emma. She watched the house as Will pulled away, doubting she’d ever see her grandma again. It was too risky to come back. She couldn’t jeopardize her safety.
    Once they were back on the highway, Will reached into his pocket and placed the necklace in her palm. “You should probably keep this.”
    She took the pendant, surprised that it felt so warm. “Did this feel hot when you held it?”
    “No. If anything, it felt cold.” He turned to her. “Why? Does it feel hot to you?” He took it from her and turned it in his fingers. “It’s cool.”
    She took it back and held it in her fisted hand. Within moments it became unbearably hot, burning her skin. “Feel this.” She grabbed his hand and placed his fingertips on the area on her palm.
    His eyes widened. “Maybe you shouldn’t hold that thing until we figure out what it is.”
    “My mother wore it for months and nothing happened to her.”
    “She got pregnant and became a bitch.”
    “Some might argue I got there without a heated medallion.”
    He looked straight ahead but