The Forbidden Throb (Emma and Daniel) novel Chapter 66

Chapter 66

Daniel’s POV:

My hand tightened around the phone. “Where are you?”

A pause. The sound of her breathing, uneven and shallow. “Um… there’s a convenience store. Corner of Commonwealth and Exeter.

“Stay there.” I was already moving toward the parking garage, my footsteps echoing against concrete. I’m coming

I braced for the protest–You don’t have to, I’m fine, Don’t bother–the reflexive deflections she always offered.

Instead, the line went quiet for a beat. Then, I heard: “Okay.”

Just that. One word, soft and immediate.

The absence of resistance sent alarm bells ringing through my head. That quiet acquiescence told me more than any amount of distress her voice could have.

The phone stayed pressed to my ear as I reached the car, fumbling slightly with the keys.

I didn’t hang up. Neither did she.

In the background of the call, I could hear the hum of refrigeration units, the electronic chime of a door opening and closing. Normal sounds. Safe sounds.

She didn’t sound fine. But at least she was safe, coherent, responsive.

The drive should have taken twenty minutes. I made it in twelve.

I spotted the convenience store’s fluorescent sign and pulled into a loading zone, not bothering to find proper parking. If I got a ticket, be it.

Through the glass storefront, I could see her.

Emma sat at a small table near the window, her back to the wall, face angled toward the door.

She looked… intact. No visible injuries. Her coat was properly buttoned, hair still in its usual neat waves. A half–eaten sandwich sat on

the table beside an untouched bottle of water.

Relief flooded through me, sharp and immediate.

She’s okay. She’s safe.

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The Forbidden Throb

Chapter 66

Daniel’s POV:

My hand tightened around the phone. “Where are you?”

The sound of her breathing, uneven and shallow. “Um… there’s a convenience store. Comer of Commonwealth and Exeter.

I was already moving toward the parking garage, my footsteps echoing against concrete. I’m coming

for the protest–You don’t have

n’t bother–the reflexive deflections she always offered.

Instead, the line went quiet for a

Just that. One word, soft a

The absence of resista

her voice could hav

The phone

I dr

“Okay.”

inging through my head. That quiet acquiescence told me more than any amount of distress

as I reached the car, fumbling slightly with the keys.

I could hear the hum of refrigeration units, the electronic chime of a door opening and closing. Normal

But at least she was safe, coherent, responsive.

have taken twenty minutes. I made it in twelve.

convenience store’s fluorescent sign and pulled into a loading zone, not bothering to find proper parking. If I got a ticke

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