Those were the words I have been waiting to hear since our fight the other night. For the first time in two days I feel like I can finally take in a full breath, because I know she believes me. “Good. Now no more fighting, baby. Let’s go to Rosa’s so we can come back and makeup.” What I really want to do is fuck her right here, right now, but there isn’t enough time because I plan to be inside of her for hours.
Her eyes narrow in annoyance. “I told you I believed you, Ryder, I never said I forgive you.”
“Trust me, baby, by the time I’m done with you, you will forgive me,” I reply with a smirk.
Rolling her eyes, she pushes away from me and I let her down to her feet. “You are so full of yourself, Ryder Jameson,” she quips as she grabs her purse off the couch.
I can’t help but bait her. “You like it, Em, and you know it.”
Stopping at the door, she turns back to me and gives me a saucy smile. “Maybe.”
My dick twitches at her remark; it’s taking all my fucking control not to claim her now. She chuckles at my expression before walking her sassy ass out the door. In a few short hours that ass will be mine.
*
An hour later we’re sitting at Rosa’s kitchen table. Emily holds her trembling hand comfortingly, trying to ease the lady’s fear. She hasn’t stopped shaking since Emily told her everything. “Don’t be scared, Rosa. I won’t let my father hurt you.”
That causes tears to begin streaming down Rosa’s face. “Oh, Emily, honey, it’s not me I fear for, it never has been. It’s you I’m worried about. Do you have any idea what your father will do to you if he finds out just how badly you are betraying him?”
“Nothing, because I won’t let anyone fucking hurt her,” I state firmly, cutting in for the first time.
Emily glances over and gives me a small smile before turning back to Rosa. “Ryder’s right, he won’t let anything happen to me. This has been really hard to take in, and I’m still trying to wrap my head around this. But those girls need us, Rosa. Please, if you know anything… please tell us.”
Releasing a deep breath, she shakes her head in defeat. I see the moment she makes her decision to finally open up and tell us something. “I really don’t know much. I have suspected what you just told me for quite some time now, but as awful as it is I minded my own business.” Her expression turns remorseful. “Do you have any idea what happened to your nanny before me?”
Emily frowns in thought. “I’m pretty sure she ended up moving back to Puerto Rico. I really don’t remember much about her. Actually, I don’t remember much of anything before you.”
I can tell by Rosa’s expression that the previous nanny never moved anywhere. “About a year after I came to live with you, I walked in on your father in a meeting with someone in his office. I overheard them talking about something to do with payment and the price of a girl. When he realized I might have heard their conversation, he stopped me in the hallway and told me it was in my best interest to keep quiet about anything that happens around the house. He said he would hate for what happened to the last nanny to happen to me because I got too nosy, like she did. That’s when I realized just how ruthless your father is.” She visibly swallows and cups Emily’s face affectionately. “You are all I have ever cared about, Emily. There were so many times I thought about taking you and running. I hated that you had to live in that house with them, hated the way they treated you. But I didn’t have the resources, and I knew it would only be a matter of time before your father found us. So I stayed and minded my own business, because if I hadn’t he would have taken me from you, and I couldn’t let that happen. I had to protect you no matter what.”
“Oh, Rosa,” Emily chokes softly, trying to rein in her emotion. “I’m so sorry you had to live with them just for me.”
“Don’t be sorry, sweetheart. I’m not. You are my girl, in every way that matters, and I thank God every day for you. Putting up with them was a small price to pay.”
Emily drops to her knees in front of Rosa, and wraps her arms around her waist. “I love you so much, Rosa. Thank you for loving me and taking care of me. You made me who I am today and I could never picture my life without you.”
“Me too, honey.”
I have to admit I respect the hell out of this lady, and I am selfish enough to say I am so fucking glad she stayed to take care of Emily. I hate to even think about what would have happened to her if Rosa hadn’t been there for her. Emily stands to get back in her seat, but before she can sit I grab her hips and pull her down on my lap, needing to hold her. I fucking hate seeing her upset, but it’s all she’s been the last few days.
I kiss her bare shoulder. “You all right, baby?” She nods.
Rosa watches us, her expression softening. “Like I said, I really don’t know much, but I have heard some talk about a party after the functions. At first I just thought it was a party for your father and his friends to talk business. I caught on once I realized these parties only happened if the girls were in attendance.”
Hearing that has me asking one question I have been mulling over for the last few days. “Why are these girls at the function in the first place? If the charity is for the group home, wouldn’t the only representative be the director?”
Emily answers. “No, not usually. Most of the time you will raise more money when the contributors can meet who the donations are going to. It gives them knowledge on who they are helping, and gives them a chance to connect with them. I always assumed it was an image thing for my parents – getting pictures with the organization and the girls they are helping – but obviously that’s not the case.” She turns back to Rosa. “Do you think my mother is in on this?”
“I believe she knows, how could she not? But no, I don’t think she is a part of it. I think it’s one of the reasons your mother drinks as much as she does. She likes to be oblivious and live in her own world.”
“Do you know where the party takes place?” I ask.
She shakes her head. “It’s on the property somewhere, but not the main house, at least I don’t think so. There might be a way of finding out though.”
My interest piques at that. “How?”
“There’s a key Mr. Michaels keeps in his office, in the top drawer of his desk. It’s always there except for the night of the functions. I believe he keeps it with him, as I assume it unlocks wherever they have their after-party.”
Emily turns to me. “I could go home and sneak into his office to get it. If we have it we can search the property and see what it opens.”
“No!” Both Rosa and I say at the same time.
“What? Why?”
“Because I don’t want you going to that house, especially without me. Not with everything that has been going on.”
“He’s right, honey, it’s too dangerous.”
“I could go when my parents aren’t there. How else are you going to get it if I don’t?”
I’m just about to tell her we’ll think of another way when Rosa speaks up. “I can get it. I’m working a small dinner party your parents are having in a couple of days.”
“I don’t know, Rosa, what happens if my father catches you?”
“He won’t, honey. I’ll sneak in while they’re eating.”
I’m thinking it may be our best chance. If not, Nick and I may need to look at getting in on our own, which will be a lot more difficult.
“Why do you still help them out?” Emily asks quietly. “I’m gone now, you don’t have to still work for them, Rosa.”
“I worry your father will think I know more than I do and get suspicious. I also want to stay close so I know you’ll be okay. If I didn’t stay then maybe they would take you from me.”
Emily reaches over and grasps Rosa’s hand. “No one could keep me from you, not ever.”
Rosa smiles sadly at her. “Have you thought more about the hypnotherapy?”
She nods. “A little, but I haven’t thought much about it since everything went down. I want to do it, but I’m not sure now is the right time. I’m feeling really overwhelmed with everything as it is. Ryder thinks what I saw that night could have something to do with all of this.”