“Actually, the case is on your father.”
“Back off, Stone.” Not that I don’t intend to tell her, but he can be a little more sensitive about the situation.
Emily glares at me. “I think it’s time I know the truth, Ryder. Now what the hell do you want with my father?”
Nick glances over at me, waiting for me to explain. I run a hand through my hair, trying to think of a way to tell her this without hurting her, but I realize it’s inevitable. “Come sit down, Em.” I gesture to the living room. She looks ready to fall over.
“No, I’ll stand.”
I grind my teeth at how stubborn she’s being. “There is a lot to tell you. So if you want to know the entire story then go sit down, now!”
We glare off at one another for a long moment before she finally relents. With a huff she makes her way toward the couch, but stops and looks back at Stone. “Can I get you something to drink, Nick?”
I don’t miss the fact that she doesn’t offer me one and neither does Nick, by the amused smirk that is plastered on his face. Asshole!
“No, I’m good, but thanks for asking.”
She nods before sitting down then looks back at me. ‘Tell me what’s going on.”
I take a seat at the other end of the couch and face her. “As you heard earlier, Nick and I are FBI Agents. Last week we were given a case to investigate that involves your father.”
She swallows thickly, hurt and anger darkening her expression. “What has he done?” She doesn’t even question if he has done something. Her knowing he is capable of breaking the law makes this a little easier, but I know it’s going to be hard for her to hear just how twisted he is.
I start to explain the story, first telling her about Cassie’s allegations and the group home, only to have her cut me off by throwing her hand up. “Whoa, just wait a minute. There has to be a mistake. I know my father is capable of a lot of things, but not this. He and my mother are huge advocates against human trafficking. Also, the group home you are talking about is one of many my father donates to, and my mother runs charity functions for.”
Before I can explain further, Nick speaks up: “The allegations have the assaults taking place after the charity functions.”
“What? No way.” She shakes her head, discrediting the accusation right away. “I’m at most of these functions. I would know.”
“I don’t know how it’s happening yet, Em, but there have been a lot of incidents to back up Cassie’s story.” I tell her about Senator Adams being threatened when he tried to look into the allegations, and everything Nick learned earlier tonight from the school counselor. I also mention how Cassie has been missing since she came forward. By the time I’m done she looks like she’s going to be sick. She looks so lost that I don’t hold back any longer. Moving in next to her, I wrap an arm around her shoulders and kiss the side of her head. “I’m sorry, baby, I know this isn’t easy to hear.”
Nick clears his throat. “Did you ever see anything unusual happen at any of these functions?”
Emily’s head snaps up and I quickly realize I never told him about her disability. Thankfully, she doesn’t seem put off by it. “No, up until a month ago I was blind.”
Nick rears back in shock then glances at me before looking back at her. “Oh sorry, I didn’t know.”
She shrugs. “Nothing to be sorry about. But to answer your question, no, I never encountered anything unusual at any of the charity functions, and I have been going to them for as long as I can remember.”
That one statement has me suddenly remembering something she said a long time ago. “Didn’t you say the night you lost your sight your parents had a charity function?”
She ponders it for a moment. “Well, yeah, I was put to bed early, like usual, but I snuck out to the well and…” Her words stop abruptly and she looks at me, pure fear washing over her expression. I know her mind is going where mine is.
“Do you remember anything at all from that night, or the nightmare you had?”
She shakes her head. “Nothing from that night. All I remember from my nightmare are screams, but they could have been mine as I woke myself up that way. We really don’t know if my dream was even a memory, I mean the possibility is slim.”
“I don’t know, Em,” I tread carefully. “Too much shit is happening for it to be coincidental, and tonight…”
“What do you mean tonight? Why would anyone want to kill me, Ryder? Maybe it’s you. Or hell, maybe it’s someone else who was walking out of that theatre at the same time!” Her voice rises and I know she’s scared of the thought, but right now I can’t sugarcoat anything. We need to look at this from all angles, but the thought that those bullets were meant for her has a dangerous violence rushing through me.
“I saw that car pull out just as you began to walk away. Earlier today you told your father that you’re going to try hypnotherapy, to see if you can remember what happened that night, and he goes fucking ballistic. Then we just happen to be part of a drive-by shooting. If you ask me, it’s a big fucking possibility.”
Getting up, she moves away from me to the other side of the room and crosses her arms, looking lost and alone. “I know my father doesn’t care about me, but to suggest him having someone try to kill me?” She shakes her head sadly, as if she can’t fathom the possibility.
Nick cuts back in. “Your parents have another charity function in a few weeks. Do you know anything about it?”
She nods. “Yes. I’m attending it. It’s actually to raise money for the group home you guys are talking about.”
“I need you to get me in there, Em.”
Her gaze snaps to mine, betrayal and anger darkening her expression. “Well, Ryder, all you had to do was ask. You didn’t have to pretend to want to fuck me.”
I tense at her words, my temper igniting hot and fast. “Watch it, Emily, you don’t know what the fuck you’re talking about!”
“Okay, well that’s my cue,” Stone breaks in awkwardly. “I’ll talk to you later, Jameson. Call me if you need a ride back to your vehicle.”
“Actually, you can take him with you. He isn’t staying.”
Nick stops halfway to the door then turns back to me, but I don’t take my eyes off Emily. “I’m not fucking going anywhere.” We glare off at one another, and I hear Nick eventually let himself out. Mentally preparing myself, I get ready for the shit-storm that’s about to hit.
Emily
I stare at the man who broke my heart all those years ago. I gave him the benefit of the doubt when he walked back in, only to be slapped in the face again. Hurt, fury, betrayal and a big dose of utter disbelief at this entire situation storms inside of me. I feel close to breaking, but I keep myself in check. I refuse to let him see how much he has hurt me for a second time.
“I was planning on telling you.”
I scoff, not believing a word he says. “Before or after you fucked me?”
His jaw flexes in anger. “Before. I had planned to tell you everything when we got back here.”
“How convenient.”
“What do you expect, Emily? I haven’t seen you in six years, I couldn’t tell you until I knew where you stood with your parents. This is a big fucking deal. A lot of people’s lives are at stake over this. I had to make sure I could trust you!”
“What I expect would have been for you to keep your fucking hands to yourself and not pretend to care about me!” Just thinking about the way he touched me only a few hours earlier has my stomach twisting.
“Em, baby, listen. I…”
“Don’t call me that! I don’t care what you have to say. Leave now!”
“I am not fucking leaving you. Not until…”
“Why not? You did before.” Guilt flashes in his eyes, but I don’t fall for it and I finally ask the one question that has been burning inside of me since seeing him again. “Did you take the money?”
His eyes narrow dangerously. “What the fuck do you think?”
I swallow thickly and try to keep my voice level. “For six years I said no, but now I don’t know. I don’t know you at all. I don’t think I ever did.”