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jerked to a start, speeding up the rain-soaked driveway headed for the local hospital. Summer could only hope they would get there in time.
    Finally, giving in to her tears, she rested her head against the offered shoulder and cried. She cried for her parents, she cried for her friend, but most of all, she cried for the lost opportunity to love the person who needed her the most.
    “Don’t cry, love.”
    Summer cried harder at the familiar endearment. How could he have known that was what Emily called her all of the time?
    The arms tightened around her, drawing her closer and Summer stiffened. This was one of her sisters’ husbands. She had no business letting him hold her so tight, no matter how right it felt.
    “Please do not cry, mate. My heart breaks at the sound of your sobs and the sight of your tears. I do not know what to do with a crying female other than hold her.” Fumbling for the switch on the door, Summer turned on the light and pulled from his embrace.
    She didn’t give a damn if she looked like hell. After what he put her through, he could take it.
    “What are you doing here?” She looked across the seat and behind him, only to realize that, other than the driver, they were alone. Her heart pounded in her chest as she looked at him. The concern in his expression nearly made her cry again. Summer wanted nothing more than to curl up in his lap with his strong arms wrapped around her and let him tell her everything would be okay.
    “I am your mate, Summer Flowers. I know you cannot stand the sight of my face, but my place is by your side in your time of need. Wherever you go, whatever you do, my place is with you just as your place is with me.” He smiled softly, again tucking that stubborn lock of hair behind her ear. “It works both ways, you know.” He glanced through the window at the passing lights. “Though I sought to acquire my mate in the old ways, I did not do so out of disrespect. In fact, I hold you in the utmost regard.”
    The pain in Summer’s chest eased a bit at his words. He sure did have a way about him. Maybe he wasn’t such an ass after all. With a small sigh, Summer leaned into him. She needed his comfort.
    The limo stopped outside of the hospital’s emergency entrance. “We will continue this at a later date. Now, you must go to your friend. I shall await you here.”
    “No!” Stopping, she made a face. “No. You need to come with me. She’ll want to meet you no matter how horrible she feels.” There was no way she would let Emily pass over to the other side without thinking that Summer had finally found her man. Even if he didn’t want her, she had to give Emily this.
    Taking his hand, Summer pulled him into the hospital and to the information desk. “I’m here to see Emily Appleton, please. She’s in Emergency and has been requesting me—us. She’s been requesting us .” She mentally crossed her fingers, hoping the security guard didn’t know that Emily had only been asking for her.
    The security guard looked at his computer screen for a moment before reaching over to hit the buzzer for the door. “Go on in.”
    Swallowing thickly, Summer prayed that they had gotten here in time. She had to see Emily before…before they sent her up to a room and visiting hours were over. Summer refused to admit there could be another reason she wouldn’t be able to see her friend tonight.
     
     
     
     

Chapter Six
     
     
    Adrian stood next to his mate, drinking in her presence. It was all he could do to keep himself from rubbing against her and wallowing in her scent. He didn’t know how long she would allow him to accompany her, but he closed his eyes and thanked the gods his brother had pushed him into that vehicle and slammed the door behind him. It nearly broke him to sit in that vehicle with her sobbing as though her heart was in pieces.
    He didn’t know how long they would stay here together, but he intended to take advantage, just the same. After what he had