The next morning Emmett was packing up his bedroll in the frosty dawn when Monty hunkered down beside him. Jack sat a few feet away, busy with his own blankets, but watched the two carefully, ready to step in if needed. Monty placed a hand on Emmett’s arm. “Hey, Emmett. Listen.”
Emmett shrugged him away. He still couldn’t believe Jack had once been electrified by Monty’s touch, enamored with the man’s close attentions. How easy it must’ve been for Monty to break through defenses not fully in place yet. But how could he have just run away? Left Jack for dead when confronted with Lin Ji’s goons, only to show up years later as if nothing had happened?
And Jack had simply…what? Hardened his heart and given up hope? That explained a lot—all those times Jack had looked away when Emmett got t
