Emma POV

Lucas didn’t blink. Didn’t move. Just watched us like he’d already decided how this night would end.

Daniel’s fingers tightened around mine. “Emma,” he murmured, voice low, protective. “You don’t have to deal with him alone. I’m here. I can handle him.”

I shook my head, heartbeat slipping into a painful rhythm. “Daniel… don’t. Please.”

My voice cracked. “Let me—let me handle this.”

He stared at me, searching my face. “Emma, he’s ...