“I wasn’t trying to buy you, Emerson. I was trying to free you.” I reach out to swipe the tears from her cheeks. “I don’t know if I can do this.” She tries to pull away, but I don’t let her. If I give her space now, she’s going to run and I can’t risk that. I won’t risk it. “Too bad, sweet girl, because this is happening. You are mine. There’s no running, there’s no hiding. There’s just you and me.”
