Page 16 of That Emerald Vow

“I’ve seen it done in so many movies. I thought it must be bullshit.” He laughs as he hands me my helmet.

“Apparently not.” Going to grab the helmet, the green of the fake emerald reflects in the light, reminding me I have it on. I bring my hand back to pull off the ring to give back to him. After all, he was the one to find it.

He puts his free hand up. “No, you keep it. What I said in there was real, Char.”

My eyebrows furrow slightly as I twist my head. “Excuse me?”

He whips his head back, laughing. “Calm down. I mean, we’re in this together, my little gem. I really do vow to care for you—the good, bad, and ugly. One of us is chaotic. Now, two of us together?” He winks at me. “Imagine the anarchy of both of us against the world. What do you say, Charlie?”

“In chaos we reign, baby,” I say. “This friendship is going to be wild.”

“I like that.” He smiles at me. “In chaos we reign!”

Ismile down at the mundane paperwork I have to do at the main office as I remember my night out with Charlie. I love hanging out with my guys—drinking, talking shop, kicking ass, and whatever else we want. Exploring mutual benefits with consenting women also makes for a great night. But something about being around Charlie drives me mad in the best way. Our flirty banter excites me down to my core.

There is definitely a sexual attraction between us, but that’s not what’s drawing me closer to her, and honestly, I can’t fully pinpoint what it is. There’s something inside her that mirrors the pain reflected in my own soul. When she fainted, there was such fear in her body, all I wanted to do was hold her and kill the person who put it there.

Charlie is such a force to be reckoned with. Strong. Wild. Beautiful. The vow I made to her I plan to keep. Just like I would for Lily. Through Adrian, they have become honorary family. I will make sure no harm comes to them as long as I can help it.

I text Charlie a random motivational quote, “Every day is a chance to be better” along with my little addition, “Unless you’re me—I was born awesome.” This started the morning after our hangout when I saw one on my feed and thought she could use a little pick me up.

Charlie:

What about me?

Me:

I guess you’re alright. ;)

Charlie:

Ass!

Me:

You were already born fierce and awesome. You know this.

While I wait for her response, my screen fills with the picture of my younger sister, Daniella.

“Hey, Dani,” I say as I put the phone to my ear.

“Hey, big bro,” she says, hesitantly.

Uh-oh.I sit up straighter in my seat. “What’s wrong?”

“What? Nothing’s wrong. How are you? Any new prospects for a girlfriend?” I can practically hear her shaking with nervous energy.

“Daniella Hayes,” I demand, worry lacing my tone as I start pacing the entire length of my office.

“Why would something need to be wrong?” she asks in a huff.

I rub my face with my free hand. “Because you sound likethat.” I take a deep breath and ask in a calmer voice, “Is everything okay? Tell me. Is it the house? Your health?” My mother stopped taking care of us when I was only ten and Daniella was seven. I filled in those gaps of a parent at an early age—never letting her need for anything. “Talk to me, Dani.”

She hesitates before saying, “Can you come over?”

I barely finish hearing the request before I abruptly stop my pacing and turn to walk towards my truck. “I’m on my way, but tell me what’s going on.”

When I pass by Adrian in the shop, I stop to tell him I’m taking the rest of the day. He nods, knowing that it has to be family related. He says, “Call me if you need me,” as I continue to make my way outside. I nod in agreement.

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