Free Jade Crew: Fallen Bear (A BBW Paranormal Shape Shifter Romance) (Ridgeback Bears Book 7) by Amelia Jade Page A

her voice; even the earlier sadness seemed to be gone. In its place was a thoughtful pragmatism. She wasn’t telling to leave her alone, but that she needed to be alone with her thoughts for the moment. Strangely enough, Evan realized he felt the same way.
    “Me, uh, me too,” he said awkwardly. “I think I have somewhere I need to be.”
    Victoria smiled at him, the expression mixed with sadness and understanding. “I know. I’ll be at the apartments later, I think.”
    He didn’t like the last few words, but he couldn’t fight her. Wouldn’t fight her. Victoria was an adult, capable of making her own decisions. If she used logic and rationale and came to the decision that she couldn’t be with him, he would have no choice but to let her go. He hoped it wouldn’t come to that, and that they could work it out.
    Evan swore with a silent, savage growl that if any outside forces tried to interfere he would tear them to shreds before they bothered her.
    With one last, lingering look, she turned and disappeared into the bush.
    The sun was below the mountains by then and darkness was quickly settling in for the night. That didn’t matter to Evan though; he could find his way to his destination blindfolded and with only one leg. He’d certainly spent enough time there, sneaking off at every opportunity.
    “Hi,” he said at last, sitting down, his back leaning against solid stone. “It’s been a long time. Too long. I wish I could have made it here before, but I wasn’t free to.” He proceeded to retell the story of what had happened.
    “I’ve thought about you though,” he said. It was true. In his cell, every waking day and sleepless night, she had been in his thoughts. Memories of their time together, her big, easy smile and effortless laugh. The way she shrieked when he tried to tickle her armpits. The way she felt up against him, and the passion that they had shared in their most private moments.
    “I’m so sorry,” he said at last, after a long moment of silence. “It was my fault. I did it.” Hot tears stung his cheeks as they trickled down, his emotions overwhelming him in the shadow of Emily’s grave.
    “I screwed up so bad, Em. So bad. What the hell is wrong with me?” he asked, looking up at the sky, seeking an answer, a sign. Anything. “How do I make this right?” he asked plaintively. “How…”
    His voice trailed off as he closed his eyes, leaning back against her tombstone. He didn’t need to read the lettering on it to know what it said.
    Emily Jane Singer
    Beloved Friend, Sister, Daughter
    Every Journey Starts with a First Step
    The last line had been her favorite saying. She even had a tattoo of it on her arm.
    “Em,” he whispered at last. “I’m on a new journey now, but this first step, it’s the hardest of all. I—” his voice failed him.
    He inhaled deeply, before slowly exhaling, trying to release some of the stress.
    “I met someone,” he said at last, admitting it out loud. “I like her. A lot.”
    Evan shook his head. “I’ll always love you. I hope you know that.”
    Overhead a star shot across the night sky, lighting a trail that started at the mountains and ended in the Valley, pointing back toward Origin.
    He stared at the sky for a long time after that, wondering if that had been a sign.
    “Thank you,” he said at last. “I can’t undo what I’ve done, but I promise you, I will make the best effort I can to do right by the rest of my life.”
    His phone buzzed. It was Victoria.
    “Yes, and I promise to do right by her as well,” he said with a smile at the not-so-subtle sign. Whether it was just a quirk of the fates or not, the timing was impeccable.
    “Thank you Em. I love you.”
    He got up, turning to face the grave marker at last. Bending over, he placed both hands on it before pressing his lips softly to the top. “I’ll always remember you.”
    Evan stood up, took a deep breath, and nodded to himself. Then his phone buzzed again, this time