"Do you think she did it?" I ask. I don't have to say her name. He knows who.

Jerome sighs and makes a bend before pulling the car to a stop.

"Most probably." He says. Reaching into his pocket, he pulls out a familiar Manilla rose scented envelope. "I nicked this before the cops came."

"Jerome!" I shriek. "You tampered with the crime scene."

"Yeah so?" he asks. "I thought you didn't want the authorities involved?"

"Well I don't but-

"No buts Emma. I already did it and there's no way we're turning it over now."

"I wasn't going to ask you to." I reply, a small smile playing on my lips. I force it away though. I shouldn't be smiling considering the present circumstances.

"Do you think we're suspects?"

"That can't happen." He replies coolly. "We were all out together."

"Why do you think she chose him?" I ask.

Jerome shrugs. "Probably just to scare you. She didn't want to strike too close."

Something about his words send chills down my spine.

"I hate her." I growl, trying but failing to hold back my feelings. "How could she do that?"

Jerome says nothing; only places his hand on mine, trying to calm me down.

Memories of all the good times Travis and I shared flood my mind. He wasn't perfect, I'll say that at least but he was Travis. He was mine once. He was a good guy. He had his moments and he was dealing with stuff but he really wouldn't hurt anyone; not ever.

I remember how we'd first met, our first date; the sparkle in his eyes as I stuck my tongue out trying to catch a falling snowflake, making him laugh. That was our first Christmas together. I remember the arguments we'd had and how they measured up against the good times.

His death takes a heavy toll on me and my resolve finally breaks so I scream.

I scream profanities about my aunt, sobbing until my throat runs dry but still Jerome says nothing and Travis doesn't come back. His eyes look bloodshot but he continues to comfort me silently.

He unbuckles our seat belts and comes over to my side of the car, holding me close as I seek solace in his company. Slowly, my emotions begin to ebb away, leaving me numb and exhausted.

"Do you want to open it now?" he asks when I'm calm again.

I shake my head no.

"Let's open it when we've told Edward about it."

"Okay." he replies, half smiling even though there's no reason to.

He helps me back into my seat and returns to put the car back in gear.

Soon, we're on our way again with nothing but street lights and the odd car down the road to keep us company.

When we arrive at the Gyllenhaal's my mind is clouded over with exhaustion but Jerome backs the car into their enormous garage and we head for the door.

Edward's face, when it lands on mine, is etched with worry lines and his eyes glisten with concern. He makes a beeline for me and I rush into his embrace.

"You're safe now Em." He whispers as I bury my face deeper into his neck, letting all my emotions flow into the hug.

"Eh erm." Jerome clears his throat, signalling towards the door.

"Oh, Yeah." Edward gives a nervous half smile. "Thanks for taking care of her Jerome. You should both come in and make yourselves comfortable. Mum's out of town."

I breathe a sigh of relief, pulling reluctantly away from Edward as he leads us inside.

His living room is much like my own; decorated ornately to exude affluence with its pristine white walls and coffee coloured sofas. An opulent frosted glass table sits squat in the middle on a shaggy crème rug and large vases with an array of flowers stand guard on both sides of a gigantic looking TV screen.

We make ourselves comfortable and Edward gets us some drinks; a hot coco for me and something stronger for Jerome.

While we help ourselves, he starts questioning us about Travis's case. I haven't the heart to do it so Jerome updates him on everything he skipped when they talked on the phone.

"I found this." He says, pulling out the envelope. "Emma didn't wan-

"You tampered with potential evidence?" Edwards cuts in.

"Yeah." Jerome shrugs. "So?"

Edward opens his mouth to speak but I beat him to it.

"I know this is weird for you, being a lawyer and all." He narrows his eyes at me. "But we can't let the police have it."

"Why not?" he asks, the muscles in his jaw tense up as he speaks.

"Edward, I think you know the answer to that question."

Edward doesn't say anything. He paces the room and appears to be thinking. After a while he stops and sits on the sofa across from both of us.

"Fine." He says, jaw letting up a bit. "Let's see what's in it."

Tentatively Jerome passes the envelope to me but I shake my head no; giving him the go ahead to read it.

Nodding his understanding, he smiles sadly and as fetches the letter within the Manilla case, his deep voice soon fills the room.

"Timeless love doth stand perpetual

That is what you should remember.

Now look upon your former lover

And know his love for you stood eternal.

Careful where your love doth fall,

For where it drops it just might hurt."

Silence ensues when his voice fades away. Jerome folds the letter and places it on the coffee table, not giving it a second glance.

After a moment's thought, I pick up the folded letter and go through it again. I can feel the eyes of both men on me, gauging my reaction.

"Well." I say as calmly as possible. "I think the message is pretty clear."

Edward looks up from his hands and Jerome quirks his eyebrow.

"I can't see any of my friends anymore or she'll hurt them; not even you two."

"Are you kidding me?" Edward asks incredulously.

Jerome takes on long sweeping look at me and laughs.

"This isn't funny." I chide. "Fia means business."

"Yeah and so do I." he states menacingly, folding his arms across his chest.

"You can't avoid us." Edward says. "That's out of the question. What do you want to do? Go into hiding?" he looks like he might want to rip his hair off.

"Maybe." I shrug.

"Are you insane Emma?"

"Does it matter?" I shoot back. "Do you think I want to see anyone hurt?"

"Someone already got hurt." He backfires and I flinch.

"Emma." He says when he notices how his words affected me. "I didn't mean-

"Yeah I know." I reply, brushing away a stray tear.

Edward comes to sit next to me and places his hand gently on my leg, giving it a squeeze.

"The more you run the greater this will become." He says.

"I know Edward, believe me I do but there's just nothing I can do about it right now."

"How about we compromise?" Jerome asks his voice deep.

"How?"

"You avoid going to school and meeting up with your friends to keep them safe. You don't talk to them at all costs; just Edward and I."

I consider his words, growing even more tired by the minute.

"Fine." I nod my head in affirmation. "I think I can manage that."

"You sure?" Edward asks.

"Positive." I reply getting up off the sofa.

We talk for a while more before a yawn escapes me and Edward decides it time for us to turn in.

He shows Jerome to the guest bedroom downstairs and leads me upstairs to mine.

Edward gives me some time to freshen up, and although I brought enough clothes with me, he lends me a t-shirt of his to change into after my bath. It smells so much like him that I immediately feel more relaxed.

Tiredly, I fall onto the bed after turning up the heat and prepare for oblivion but it proves harder than it seems.

After a few minutes Edward pops in and heads for my seemingly sleeping body. He pulls the comforter over my body, gently tucking me in. I let him and pretend to be soundly asleep.

"Night Angel." He whispers, kissing the top of my head before turning off the lights.

As soon as I hear the door shut behind him, my lips curve into a small smile.

Good night Edward.