The sound of soft male murmurs, coming from outside my bedroom, pulls me from my thoughts. Getting up, I throw on my cozy, grey wool cardigan over top of my camisole and sleep shorts then take a quick glance in the mirror and groan at my appearance. Good grief, I look like hell. Knowing there is nothing I can do about my swollen, puffy eyes, I run my fingers through my sleep-tumbled hair, trying to tame the craziness, then head out of my bedroom to see who’s here.
As I walk down the hall, I instantly recognize the other male voice as Nick’s. I stop at the edge of the living room to see both him and Ryder on the couch, their heads bent over a piece of paper as they quietly talk back and forth. A half-eaten box of pizza sits on the coffee table in front of them, and I’m happy to know Ryder hasn’t starved the entire time I’ve been sleeping.
I have to admit both men are lethal to a girl’s hormones, especially when in the same room together. Nick may not make my heart beat faster, the way Ryder does, but he’s definitely in the same class when it comes to his looks. He also has tattoos, and is built much the same as Ryder – tall and lean with solid muscle. His brown hair is darker than Ryder’s, and where Ryder’s eyes are green, Nick’s are a unique grey color with a hint of blue. Both men exude a lethal confidence that seems threatening, yet at the same time makes me feel safe.
Summer sits on the floor next to Ryder’s feet, her chin propped up on his knee while his fingers run through her fur. The sight of them warms my heart.
I clear my throat awkwardly, suddenly feeling like I’m intruding. Both heads snap up and Ryder’s eyes immediately collide with mine. My heart pinches at the guilt on his expression, knowing I’m the one who put it there. “Hey,” I greet lamely.
“Hey, Em.” His reply is soft and we watch each other for a long moment, a silent exchange happening between us. I’m not sure what it is but it has my throat feeling tight. I tamp it down, since I have done enough crying over the last two days to last me a lifetime.
I look away and over at Nick. “Hey, Nick.”
“Hi, Emily.”
Summer comes over and I lean down to pet her. “Hi, baby. Sorry I slept the day away. You’re probably in major need of a washroom break and exercise.”
“I’ve been with her in the back most of the day, throwing the ball around,” Ryder says, bringing my gaze back to him. “I know it’s not a very big space, but I tired her out pretty good.”
That explains her being so close with him moments ago; she normally isn’t really affectionate with people, other than Rosa and me. Especially those she doesn’t know well. “Thank you.”
He nods and Nick clears his throat, breaking our moment. “I brought a list of names that Cassie gave her school counselor. I was hoping you could go over them and tell us how many you know, if any at all?”
“Oh, uh sure, but, um, I can’t…”
“I’ll help you, Em,” Ryder breaks into my stammering, knowing what I was about to say.
“Okay, thanks.” They both move to make room for me, so I take that as my cue and go sit between them.
“I’ve recognized a few,” Ryder says.
“Really? Who?”
“Prescott.”
“Kyle?” I ask aghast.
“No, his father, but it wouldn’t surprise me if that prick is involved in all of this too. I mean, just look at the shit he pulled with you back in high school, or hell, what I walked in on yesterday.” His jaw flexes in anger.
I remember that time vividly, and realize he’s right; Kyle is very capable of something like this. “Anyone else on the list you recognize?”
“Other than your father, just one more.” His cautious tone has my nerves even more on edge.
“Who?”
“Paul Kensington.”
I gasp. “Cece’s father?” He nods. “Oh my god.” I drop my head in my hands; my heart breaking because I know this is going to kill Cece when it all comes out. She is so close with her father. He’s always been so protective over her; he would kill anyone who hurt her. How could he possibly hurt someone else’s daughter?
“I’m sorry, Em,” Ryder says regretfully while his hand finds its place on my back. His comforting touch brings a small measure of peace to my heavy heart.
“I know,” I reply quietly, then blow out a deep breath and pull myself together so he can go through the list of names. He reads off at least twenty. There are a lot I don’t know, but a few I do. They are men who I have been in the same room with many times before. Politicians, judges, lawyers – men who are in positions of power and who are supposed to help protect our country, not corrupt it. The last name he says is a big one: Archer Benedict. “You know he’s the Attorney General, right?”
Ryder frowns. “No, I didn’t, but this is the first time I’ve seen his name mentioned in all of this.”
I nod. “He and my father have been friends for a long time. His nephew is also the Chief of Police.”
“What?” he snaps in shock. “Are you sure?”
“Yes, I’m sure, and before his nephew it was his cousin or something.” He exchanges a look with Nick.
“Well now we know how it’s been kept quiet for so long, and the quick ruling of last night’s events,” Nick says, making me confused.
“What do you mean last night?”
“The shooting was on the news earlier. They’re saying it was gang related.”
“Well maybe it was.”
I can tell they don’t believe it. “No, Em, even if they suspected this was gang related they wouldn’t rule it out that quick, especially without seeking us out and talking to us first.”
“Maybe no one told them about us being there, Ryder. Have you thought about that?” I ask, a little panic-stricken, grasping at anything so I don’t have to think those bullets were meant for Ryder or me.
“I spoke to the doctor today.” My attention swings back to Nick as he cuts in. “He thought I was a cop with the Atlanta PD since I was asking questions. He asked me if we found you guys. He had told one of the officers about speaking with the two of you, and seeing you guys leave just before the cops got there.
Defeat washes over me. I close my eyes and drop my head back against the couch. On top of this entire horrific situation, I now have to come to terms with the possibility that someone attempted to kill me last night. Why? What do I have to do with any of this? Is Ryder right and it’s my father, or is it someone else? The thought that it could be my father, and that he hates me this much, has a sharp pain slicing through me.
I sense someone hovering over me, seconds before I hear the door closing. Opening my eyes, I stare into Ryder’s intense, green gaze. His hands are on either side of my hips, and his face is only a breath from mine. I quickly realize we are alone and Nick just left. “Talk to me, Em.”
“I’m having a hard time wrapping my head around the fact that someone hates me enough that they want me dead, and that person could be my father.” My throat begins to ache. “I’m left with a million questions as to why, and the scary truth is, if he wants me dead, he will make it happen.”
Cupping my face, he drops his forehead to mine. “No one’s going to hurt you, Em, I fucking promise I will not let anything happen to you.” His eyes burn with intensity and his words ring with truth. “Tell me you believe me, baby. Tell me you trust me to take care of you.”
I think about the way he ran at me yesterday. The way he jumped into action at a moment’s notice, and the fact that he took a bullet to save my life. “I do,” I whisper truthfully. No matter what has happened between us, there is no one else in this world I feel safer with than him.
“Good.” He leans in and briefly presses his warm lips against my cheek. I get the urge to wrap my arms around his neck but I hold myself back. “We are going to figure this out, Em. I promise.”
“How? I know you want in that charity function, but that’s two weeks away.”