Page 69 of Sebastian

“I can have Natalie handle everything with your insurance.”

“No,” she was certain that going back was the right choice. “We need to go back. If he’s determined to keep hurting people, to burn down my business and my home, I need to go back and face him myself.”

“Fuck no.”

“Absolutely not, Em…”

“Are you out of your mind, Sprinkles?”

Well, apparently this was going to be more difficult than she thought. Nash, Gage, and Sebastian all seemed to be on the same page, and that page did not match hers.

“I’m not a princess. You can’t keep me locked away in this castle, guys. I want to go back and help catch him. I’m aware of the dangers, but I think we can figure out a way to keep me safe.” She turned to Sebastian. “Do you think he’ll be on the security footage? Is that why you were telling Hank you’d have Nat send over the files?”

Sebastian nodded. “Although, he always seems to be one step ahead of us. So even if we see someone on the footage, I doubt there would be any identifying factors that would implicate him.”

Emma stood. “We have no choice then. I’m going to pack and we’ll need to head back.”

Seb, Gage and Nash spent the next few seconds looking back and forth at each other.

“You guys know I’m right. So figure out the plan and let’s get going. I want Marco out of my life. I’m willing to do whatever that takes.”

Emma walked out of the office, but that didn’t stop her from hearing the heated voices of all three men carrying throughout the house.

* * *

Emma was busy getting everything ready for the trip back to Bell Ridge when a sullen voice in her doorway startled her.

“You’ll stay with me when we get back.”

“Absolutely not.”

“What?”

“I said, absolutely not.”

“Your apartment isn’t safe to live in right now from the fire damage, and even if it wasn’t damaged, with Marco out there, clearly after you, I’m not taking any chances with your safety.”

“I don’t want to take any chances with my safety either. That’s why I’ll be staying at a hotel.”

“You think a hotel has enough safety? No. You’ll stay with me.”

“Sebastian, listen to what I am saying. There is no way I’m moving in with you right now. What we have is new, and I’m enjoying exploring that, but it’s too much, too soon. I’d like to keep a little bit of my independence and just a little bit of mystery right now, okay? I’ll stay at the same hotel as the guys. I can make sure it has an adjoining room. If you are really concerned about it, the guys can take turns staying in the room next to mine. They’ll be able to keep me safe.”

“No, I can keep you safe at my place. And if you need to go out, for whatever reason, then Gage or Hawk or even Gunner could go with you if I’m not available.”

“Seb, I know you are used to controlling the situation. I’m sure it’s not only ingrained in you from all your corporate stuff but from when you lead your team. But you cannot control all of this. I’ll be safe in a hotel with one of the guys staying next door. It’s enough. Now, use that incredible brain of yours to figure out how we are going to lure Marco out and take care of this monster once and for all. I won’t let him hold power over me anymore. Okay?”

“I’m not happy about this, Em. I’ll need to install some temporary security measures, like cameras in the hallway and room, and sensors on the windows. And I want you to promise me that one of the guys will always be with you.”

“I can agree to that, I think.”

“Good.”

Twenty-One

A sharp knock sounded on her hotel room door. She’d already been there for a few days, the guys all taking turns staying in the room next door, just as she promised Sebastian. Of course, he’d gone completely overboard with the security measures, but at least he’d finally been okay with her keeping just a sliver of her independence.

Daisy had nearly bowled her over the minute she got back, and they’d been meeting every day to talk about her best friend’s upcoming baby shower. Emma was supposed to be baking all the sweet treats, but with her bakery in burnt shambles, she didn’t know how to pull that off. Luckily, Daisy didn’t seem worried at all, but Emma didn’t want to let her down. Since the shower was in the special events room at the hotel where Emma was staying, she’d asked the hotel manager if she could utilize their kitchen after hours to bake for the event. They’d been more than happy to lend her the space.

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