Page 57 of Wickedly Tainted

Emily was standingby the couch in an angry stance. Her face was red and she clenchedher fists together so tightly I was surprised she didn’t cutherself with her nails.

She was squaring offwith a man I didn’t know but assumed his last name was Cruz. Helooked to be in his mid-thirties but was in exquisite shape. Hisshaggy hair curled slightly around his ears and partially coveredhis honey-colored eyes. I could see streaks of natural highlightsin the brown mop from long days spent in the sun. His beard lookedwell-maintained and soft. He stood a good half foot over Emily andcarried solid muscle under that tight white shirt he had on. Healso filled out the faded pair of jeans that clung to his leanwaist. I took a moment to look over his tattoos that wrapped aroundboth arms, disappearing beneath his short sleeves as he held hishands up toward Emily. As if that was going to stop her fromexploding.

“Now, Emily, youneed to calm down,” he cooed in her direction. Not the thing to sayto an infuriated female, which he was soon to learn.

Em laughed but thesound held no humor. “I need to calm down? How about you get thefuck out! You have a lot of nerve showing up here, Leo,” she yelledat him.

Leo apparently wasreally bad at following directions as he stepped toward Emily.“Where is all this hostility coming from, Emy?” He stepped closerstill. I hid my smile behind my hand as I assumed what would happennext.

“Don’t call methat,” Emily gritted out behind clenched teeth. “And don’t playdumb with me, Leo. You know damn well you betrayed my trust back inNew York. Because of you, most of my family thinks I’m agood-for-nothing liar. I had to move across the country just to getaway from their scheming ways,” she seethed.

Leo lookedincreasingly confused as he stepped into Em’s space. “What? Ididn’t lie. Emy—” His next words were cutoff as Emily reared back and smacked him right across the face. Iflinched back but smiled at the same time. What could I say? I wasa sucker for good drama.

“I told you not tocall me that!” she berated him as he rubbed the side of hisface.

I could have sworn Isaw him smile at her before he crowded her once more. She didn’tback down from him as she kept the deep scowl on her face. Hetowered over her. If I hadn’t felt the sexual tension between thetwo, I would have assumed he was threatening her.

“Oh, I’ll do morethan call you a name, Princess,” he growled at her, and I almostgiggled like a schoolgirl.

She opened her mouthto say something I’m sure was venomous when Damon intervened. Heclapped his hand together, gaining everyone’s attention.

“Fun sponge,” Imuttered. He grinned down at me before pinching my ass. “Sexualdeviant,” he murmured before walking toward the couple stillholding a staring contest.

“All right, Cruz, weneed to get going. Kate, Emily, always a pleasure.” He slapped Leoon the back before looking at me. “I’ll be back as soon as I can,Red. In the meantime, Boone will keep you company.” As if on cue,Boone trotted his way to me and nudged me with his snout. I kneltto pet the furry beast.

I watched Leo stepaway from Em and break the spell they both seemed to be under.Damon kissed me goodbye and they were out the door the next second.I fanned myself as I looked at Emily expectantly.

She huffed loudlybefore settling on the couch with a plop. “It’s a long fuckingstory, girls.”

ChapterTwenty-Six

“I swear, I’m fine.It’s late and you need to get home before those men of yours comeknocking down my door.” I smiled at Kate as I walked her to thefront door. It was just past midnight and I felt the events of theday laying heavily upon my shoulders. I was ready to take a hotshower and crash.

Emily had gottenquiet after she had her blow-up with the hot PI in my living room.I could tell she didn’t want to talk about how she and Leo kneweach other, so we changed the subject. She stayed for a littlelonger before I convinced her it was okay to go. Now, I just had toconvince Kate of the same thing.

“Are you sure? I canstay until Damon gets back. Reid is working tonight anyway andHeath won’t mind,” she offered.

I smiled as I walkedher to the door. “Go. I’m just going to crash. It’s been a superlong day,” I admitted.

I opened the doorand Kate turned to look at me. “I feel like we should have asleepover, like old times.” She grinned at me with playfulness.

I chuckled before Irolled my eyes. “Really? Cause I feel like I need to fuck Damon’sbrains out when he gets home. You want to be around for that?” Ichallenged.

Kate turned on aheel and started down my sidewalk at that. “Call me tomorrow!” sheyelled over her shoulder as I laughed.

After I watched herback out of my drive, I locked the door and shut off all the lightsexcept for the porch light. I left it on for Damon.

I walked through mysuddenly quiet home, shutting the lights off as I went. Boonefollowed close behind me as if guarding me. I found itcomforting.

When I finished, Iwalked into my bedroom and sat on the edge of the bed. I let myselfdecompress for the first time since finding Fiona. I felt the backof my eyes burn as I thought about how scared she must have been. Ireleased a shaky breath as I tried to calm myself.

Boone licked myhand, consoling me in his own way. I looked at the yellow dog witha soft smile on my lips. “Hey, buddy,” I said as I pushed myfingers into his fur. He thumped his tail against the floor as ifto acknowledge my greeting.

I slid down the sideof the bed and sat on the floor with the loving animal. I let himlick me and love on me until my frown turned into a smile. He letme stroke his soft fur while I calmed my rolling emotions.

Some people say thatanimals know instinctively when we are in distress. I believed itat that moment as Boone soothed me without words.

“You’re just a goodboy, aren’t you?” I cooed at him as he wiggled his tail beforelicking my face.

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