Page 53 of The Finder

Emma screamed and tried to run towards the back door, but Alec tackled her to the ground. She looked around desperately for her phone. She sat up to grab but he kicked her hard, sending her back to the floor. With his knee on her back to keep her from moving, Alec reached out and picked it up. “Looking for this?” he asked with a smirk. Emma reached for it, but he pulled it away and put it up to her ear. “I’m sorry. Emma’s not going to be able to talk to you right now. She’s a little busy,” he said with a smile directed towards her. Emma heard the roar of rage through the phone.

“Garrett!” she screamed. Alec grabbed her hair and yanked her head back.

“Miss me?” he asked. Fear coursed through Emma. She tried to remember her training, but her mind was blank with terror. Alec bent over her, holding her head back at an awkward, painful angle. “You made a big mistake running away. You have no idea what you are messing with. This is bigger than you or me, little sister. There’s no way you’re escaping what’s coming to you. I’ll be back for you when you least expect it, and next time those wolves won’t be around to do anything about it.” He kicked her one last time and she curled into a fetal position.

The door to the shop crashed open. Emma opened her eyes, looking wildly around and saw that Alec was gone. Liam was next to her a moment later. “Check the back,” he thundered. He dropped next to Emma. “Emma, where are you hurt?” She tried responding, but couldn’t get her tongue to work.

She couldn’t talk; she was trying to suck in air from the hit she had taken. Liam gently rolled her over. “Take a breath, Emma,” he said. “There you go.”

The next thing she knew, Liam was pushed aside and Garrett was next to her. He was in her face a moment later. She could see the fury in his eyes, but he was gentle with her. “Where all are you hurt?”

“Just my stomach and ribs,” she managed to get out while taking shallow breaths. It hurt to breathe.

“Paul will be here any moment. Once he gives the okay, we’ll get you out of here,” he said. He stood up and started barking orders. Emma just closed her eyes, willing the world to disappear.

Paul showed up at some point. Emma was vaguely aware of him checking her injuries, but she didn’t open her eyes. She felt him wrap her ribs; then he made her take some pills. Through it all, she didn’t respond. She just wanted to escape the nightmare that had become her life. Sometime later, she felt herself lifted. Once again, she didn’t open her eyes. She knew it was Garrett by the smell and feel of him. She wanted to open her eyes, but they were too heavy. She heard Garrett barking out orders again; then they were moving.

It wasn’t long before she was in the backseat of a Land Rover. She heard Liam and Max’s voice up front. She sat in the back across Garrett’s lap. She lay perfectly still against his chest, trying to calm the churning in her stomach. Eventually, they stopped. Garrett slid out of the car easily, still carrying her. Emma managed to open her eyes briefly. She didn’t recognize where they were. Garrett began walking up the sidewalk towards a beautiful log cabin. “Where are we?” she asked softly.

Garrett looked down at her. “My place,” he said. Emma wasn’t really sure what that meant. Was it another place he owned, similar to the one she had already been living in, or did he actually live here? She closed her eyes as he carried her inside the house.

Soon, she felt herself being lowered. She felt the softness of a bed. She tried to open her eyes, but any energy she had was depleted. “You’re in my home, Emma. I’ll watch over you and make sure you’re safe. Just rest now; let your body heal while the pain reliever is working.”

Emma wanted to say something, but whatever Paul had given her was too strong. She closed her eyes and let the darkness take her away to a place where there was no pain and terrifying step-brothers.

Emma woke up sometime later. She tried to move and gasped as pain thrummed through her body. Garrett stood in front of her. “Let me help you sit up and you can take these painkillers Paul left for you.” He put his arm behind her and propped her up gently. Even though he was careful, it still hurt. Emma grimaced in pain. Emma quickly took the pills and Garrett lowered her gently back to the bed. Within moments, the pills knocked her out again.

Chapter 30

Finally, Emma woke up with a little more clarity and not as much pain. She looked around the room. It was a good-sized room, a little plain; but kind of what you’d expect in a bachelor’s spare room. She managed to sit up. Her body ached, but it wasn’t nearly as bad as it had been. Emma glanced down quickly and saw she was dressed in her long-sleeved pajama set.

A moment later, somebody knocked softly at her door. “Come in,” she said.

“Hey, you‘re awake,” Garrett said in a much gentler voice than she was used to hearing from him. He leaned against the doorframe. “How are you feeling?”

“Better than I was,” she said.

“You want to get out of bed for a little bit and see the rest of the house?” Garrett asked.

“I need to take a shower. I’m sure I stink,” she said with a grimace.

“You always smell amazing, Emma,” Garrett said in a deep voice. Emma knew she didn’t right now, but she let it go. “If you’re up to it, let me give you a tour of the house and get you something to eat. Then you can take a shower if you’re still feeling okay.” Emma agreed, and Garrett swept her into his arms a moment later, carrying her out of the room.

“I can walk,” Emma protested; he didn’t respond. They walked down a hallway and out into a huge open area.

Emma looked around at what she could see while Garrett was holding her. She was smitten. It was the most beautiful home she had ever seen. The walls were made of huge logs, and the ceiling was the same. It was all open concept. There was a large living room that centered around a huge stone fireplace. A large wrap-around couch and two recliners were situated around the fireplace. A roaring fire lent heat to the room, taking away the chill. A huge tv was mounted above the fireplace. The living room faded into the huge kitchen with stainless steel appliances and a long island that ran the length of the kitchen. A large dining room table sat off to the side near the open windows that overlooked the wraparound porch. There were stairs leading to a large loft area that overlooked the living room.

“This is beautiful,” Emma said softly.

Garrett looked down at her. “You like it?”

Emma laughed; then grimaced at the pain it caused. “Like it? It’s like one of those giveaway dream homes. It’s incredible!”

Garrett gave her one of his rare smiles. “Good,” was all he said. He carried her over to the couch and set her down carefully.

Let’s get you something to eat,” he said.

“Okay,” Emma said.

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