“Tried?” I ask, wondering what the hell that means.
“Yeah, I grabbed her arm before she could make her escape, which made me feel like shit because I scared the hell out of her. I told her the story about my sister and that I just wanted to know what she thought of the place. She stumbled over every word she tried to speak, and her entire body was trembling. I’m telling you, Jameson, I’ve never seen fear like that before.”
“As if the cops didn’t see that when they were asking their questions about Cassie.”
“My thoughts exactly, but that’s not all. Before she could even get out whatever bullshit she was trying to spew, she glanced up at something behind me, and when I turned around I saw the old lady watching us from the top window of the house.”
“I assume that shut her up.”
“Well, it did, but before she shut up I got the first real response from her since talking with her.”
“What did she say?”
“Four words: don’t bring her here. It was mumbled since her head was down and she was walking away, but I know what I heard.”
I think about what he just said, my mind running with options. “We need to get those girls alone. If she caved that quickly with you then I’m sure you could get more from her if the old bitch wasn’t around watching.”
“I don’t know how I’m going to do that. Pike watches them like a hawk. Cassie was the only one still going to public school, and that’s only because she was the newest one there. I’m going to see the school counselor tomorrow, so we will see what stems from that.”
“What is your cover with her?”
“No cover. The Chief thinks she can know we are looking into it.” He’s probably right. She seems to be the only one who is concerned about Cassie. If anyone is going to help us get information, it’s her. “Now tell me what your plan of action is, besides banging some high school crush you have.”
I tense at his joke, not finding it funny. “Watch it, Stone. It isn’t like that.”
He grunts. “Chill the fuck out, I was only kidding. I do want to know what your plan is though. I know Chief wants you at that party in a few weeks, but after what I saw today I am not sure we have that much time.”
I blow out a heavy breath. “I know. I’ll see what I can do. I have a few ideas, but don’t have time to explain right now. Call me tomorrow after you meet with the counselor and we will go from there.”
“Will do. Have fun on your date with your non high school crush,” he adds with a chuckle then quickly hangs up before I can respond.
“Asshole!” I mutter as I make my way down the hall. Actually, he isn’t that bad. Out of all the guys at the office I probably relate to Stone the most. He’s quiet and sticks to himself most of the time. I’ve never seen him with the same girl past one night. Which is something we definitely have in common. Anytime one of the guys asks about his past he avoids the question, which I can understand. I don’t like to think about my past, let alone talk about it.
I shake myself from my thoughts as I reach Emily’s apartment. Just as I raise my hand to knock, the door swings open and I come face to face with a little Mexican lady I remember so well. Her eyes widen in surprise before they narrow sharply. She quickly glances behind her before moving into the hallway and pulling the door halfway closed. She steps into my personal space and pokes me in the chest hard enough that I am surprised her finger doesn’t break off. “What on earth do you think you’re doing back here?”
I stare down at her calmly. “I’m here on business.”
“You need to leave Emily alone.”
I shake my head. “Not going to happen.”
Her expression turns furious. “You don’t listen! Emily has enough going on right now to deal with. You should not be here making it harder on her.”
I glare back at her, my own temper starting to spike. “What the hell are you talking about? I’m not here to make anything harder on her.”
“Nothing has changed, Ryder. Her father is the same man from when you left six years ago. You need to leave before he finds out you’re back.”
“The hell I will! I’m not seventeen anymore, and neither is Emily. No one will be fucking dictating our lives, and no one will keep me from her. Not ever again!”
The same fear that I saw in her eyes all those years ago reappears as she stares up at me. “You will not win against him. You have no idea what he is capable of.”
But she does. I realize now she knows. She has to; this has to be what she meant all those years ago. “What if I told you I do know? That I know exactly what he’s capable of?”
Her gaze turns suspicious and her fear becomes more apparent. “Who are you?” she asks shakily. I stare back at her silently. I can’t tell her. Not yet. Not until I know where Emily stands. She cuts a hand through the air. “Never mind! I do not want to know. But I will tell you this. Whatever you are up to, you leave Emily out of it. I will not let her get hurt and I…”
“I am not going to let anyone hurt her. I will fucking kill anyone who tries!”
“Rosa? Ryder? What’s going on?”
My gaze snaps to the door to see Emily watching us in concern, and all my anger evaporates, leaving me to gape at the beautiful sight before me. Holy shit! My eyes roam down her perfect body, taking in her soft pink, strapless dress that hugs her in all the right places and shows off her every delicate curve. Yet the soft cotton still flows loosely from her body, and stops just at the top of her slender thighs. My dick spikes to full intensity as I remember what it felt like to be between those sweet thighs. I drag my gaze up to hers, and smirk when I see her cheeks flushed pink at my blatant eye-fuck. Walking over, I pull her against me then lean down and kiss the top of her head. “Hey, Em, you look incredible, like always.”
Her face turns redder at the compliment. “Oh, uh, thank you, so do you,” she stammers out shyly, which makes me want to chuckle. “Is everything okay?” she asks, looking between Rosa and me.
“Everything is fine.”
“It didn’t sound fine. It sounded like you guys were arguing.”
I look over at Rosa, warning her to back me up. She pastes a fake smile on her face and shakes her head. “No, we weren’t arguing, sweetheart. Ryder is right, everything is fine.” She walks over and pulls Emily from me, enveloping her in a hug. “You have a good night, and call me tomorrow.”
“Okay, I will. I love you, Rosa. Thank you for coming to see me. It brightened my day.”
Her words remind me of how upset she was after her appointment. Something I intend to push about later, I’ve been worried about it ever since.
“I love you too, my sweet girl. It will all work out. You’ll see.” Her response spikes my concern another notch.
Emily nods then leans down to say bye to her dog. Rosa glares and points her finger at me in warning. Yeah, well, I’m not finished with you yet either, lady. I have a feeling she is where my focus needs to be until I can get into the Michaels’ house. She probably has a ton of information. I’m just not sure I’ll be able to get it out of her. Not with how scared she seems of the asshole.
Emily and Rosa say one more goodbye before Rosa walks back into the apartment.
“Does she live with you?” I ask, curious since she wasn’t here the other day.
“No, she’s just hanging with Summer for a bit. She stopped working for my parents shortly after I moved out. I think she only stayed as long as she did because she didn’t want to leave me. But she still helps them out when they need her, mainly for dinner parties. Although I don’t know why she does it, they have never treated her very well.”
I file that last part away, knowing it will be something I need to question later. I have to say I’m thankful she stayed all those years. She clearly cares a lot about Emily, so I’m glad to know she had someone watching out for her. It’s something I always worried about after I left. I grab her hand as we walk out of the building so I can lead her over to where I’m parked. The gesture makes her falter but I don’t let go, or pay notice to it.