The penthouse was still quiet when Jesse pushed the door open, but the sense of relief at crossing the threshold into the cool darkness was palpable for both of them. Though he had changed the course of their conversation to something lighter, it wasn’t until the door closed behind them that Emma felt the weight lift from his shoulders. They had needed to get out, to escape the somber atmosphere, but they had needed to return just as desperately once some of the confusion had lifted.
“I think Gideon’s still asleep,” she whispered, glancing down the hall toward the dungeon. “Do you want to go wake him?”
“No, not yet.” He tugged her the opposite direction. “Let him sleep. He probably didn’t come in until around dawn.”
Emma followed without hesitation. Instead of stopping in the bedroom, h
