Page 23 of Owning Emma

Chapter 13

ROMAN

The lookin Emma’s eyes haunted me as we dropped tonight’s girl off at her car she’d left in the bar parking lot. It haunted me as we drove in silence to R’s Auto. And even when I parked, knowing that my sole focus should be on the fact that someone committed arson on my shop, all I could think about was the look of disappointment and disgust in Emma’s eyes.

“There it is, in all its blazing glory,” Shaw stated as he threw open the door. There wasn’t sadness or anger in his voice, just a resigned defeat over something we were powerless to save now. “Think insurance would cover it?”

“God, I hope so.” I slammed my car door. “They won’t know the cause of the fire for sure until there is an investigation.”

He huffed, “I know the cause.”

“Me, too.” I sighed, turning my focus to our friend John. John had worked with the fire department for nearly two decades and in the past, had helped us with other things, like the one time Royal and I burned down a building on our property while we were in a drunken stupor.

“Boys. I see you don’t think this burning is quite as funny.”

“I had planned to keep this shop around,” I stated.

“I know. I heard business was good too. Rumor has it you do work on the local elderly’s cars for free.”

“Need some repairs done, John?” I taunted.

“Haha, I’m not that old yet, you fucker. It’s a shame to see it go like this, though. The fire is eighty percent contained.”

“How bad is the damage?” I didn’t want to know, but I needed to at the same time.

“It ahh . . .” John scratched the back of his neck. “It looks like you lost it all, Roman. I’m sorry.”

My gut balled up as the truth set in. All of it. Our first solid venture together and it burned to the ground. Shaw and I had been so proud when we first rented this hole in the wall building. Then bought it. Then turned it into something that was ours.

Before I could say a word, Shaw jumped in. “We’ll rebuild.”

“Is it even worth it?” John questioned.

And as if he knew where my thoughts had been and how vital this one building was, he said again, “We’ll rebuild.”

John shrugged, not seeming to care either way. “Well, you will always have a customer for life in me.”

And that, that right there, was what we were counting on.

* * *

The daysthat followed the burning of our building went by in a flash of paperwork, phone calls, and community support. I had become so busy cleaning up the mess, the threat against us that once again hit us on our land, that I hadn’t seen Emma once. It was probably for the best; I knew this. But still, I had to fight every muscle in my body from moving involuntarily and seeking her out.

I postponed Royal’s visit for the following week, wanting to get a better grasp on what we were dealing with and what I would need from him before making him travel out here. But the truth was, I didn’t know what I was truly dealing with, only the who. But if I stomped over to his club, like he was begging me to do, it wouldn’t end well for anyone. He was goading and trapping and there was no way he would snarl me into his net.

I had just hung up the phone with the inspector, confirming that the fire was indeed arson when a text dinged through my phone.

I think Shaw needs to go home. Do you want me to drive him and come back?

My heart stuttered at her contact. What’s wrong with him?

Her text came through almost instantly, I don’t know. He was fine. We went to lunch with some of the guys. Now he’s acting drunk and slurring his words. His color is a bit off too.

Shit. My heart rate picked up. Worry so fierce I hardly recognized it pulsed through my veins. I’m on my way.

I jumped in my truck, only stopping long enough to grab Eric to help me if I needed, then we drove as fast as legally possible to the bakery. I was worried, hell . . . terrified. But, I couldn’t let the situation get to me until I accessed it with my own eyes. We pulled into the empty space in front of their shop and got out, not even bothering to lock it up before heading toward the entrance.

When I opened the door, my heart stopped. Emma was kneeling in front of him, brushing a damp rag on his forehead. She looked up when she heard the bell, the concern apparent as she met my eyes. “I don’t know what happened.”

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