Page 167 of Sin With Me

“You’re a smart girl, Emma. That’s right, Huntz has never been caught, but we won’t let that scare us. We need to go on for our kids and for all those who never get their kids back. We were fortunate that Eric and Annabelle escaped.”

There was more to this story that my mother had skipped, and I knew I’d have to fill Emma in on it later.

“Has anyone seen Huntz since?” Emma asked. “He couldn’t have simply disappeared.”

My mom’s head shot up. She looked Emma right in her eyes and said, “No, we haven’t seen him since. And neither has anyone in thistown.”

Emma held her gaze, and for the first time tonight, I got the feeling that my mother was lying. Had Emma caught onto it as well? Had Huntz come back, and they didn’t tell me? Had he threatened my parents again? God, I hoped Emma could find the bastard, so I could end this family’s years of misfortune once and forall.

“Do you know why he kidnapped the kids?” Emma asked.

“He wanted ourfarm.”

“Why?”

“I don’t know, dear. There’s nothing here, but it’s all we have. We never thought he’d go to such measures. If we’d known, we would have given him everything he wanted just to leave our children alone. But now they’re all grown up. We’re the only ones left here, and there’s no one to protect. I don’t see a reason to give up ourhome.”

“No one’s asking you to do so, Ma.” I reached over the table and took her frail hand in mine, holding it for a moment. “You’re safe, and we’re safe. Let’s change the subject, please.”

Emma shifted uncomfortably in her seat before perking up again. “I would love it if you could join us for the summer fest. I don’t know many people around here, and it would be lovely to see some familiar faces.”

I froze. My parents’ faces dropped for a moment. Pain was marked in their eyes, regret in the creases of their foreheads, and guilt near their tight smiles. While Emma’s invitation was meant to ease the conversation, it was not welcome. And even though my parents wanted to hide how they’d been affected, no one could mistake the seconds-long torture they’d just experienced.

“You don’t want two old farts there, Emma. You young kids enjoy yourselves.” My father spoke first.

“But I thought the fest was for everyone? It would really make me feel better knowing some people there, Mrs. Waters.”

My mother looked to my father, then at me. I nodded in encouragement. Perhaps Emma was right. Maybe if my parents faced their darkest demons head on, they could finally move away from their past and reclaim some sort of a future. My mother picked up her head and smiled kindly, saying, “Please, call me Joanne. We’ll try. I can’t promise, but we will definitelytry.”

A glimmer of light sparked in her eyes, like she’d somehow been set free. I couldn’t help but feel like it was Emma’s doing. She was having the same effect on my parents as she had onme.

“Thankyou.”

“We better get going, Ma. We’ve already overstayed our welcome.” I stood up from the table and helped Emma move her chair back aswell.

“Nonsense, Eric. This will always be your home, no matter how far away you move. And you must promise to bring Emma over for dinner as well. A family dinner.” She sighed, looking younger by at least a decade since Emma had walked into the house.

“I’d love that, Joanne. Because I really want to meet the pigs and see the lake. Will you take me to the lake, Eric?” She hung onto my arm, full of expectation. How could I say no to her? She could have asked me to sleep with the pigs and I’d have agreed.

“Of course I will.” I leaned over and planted a quick one on her lips. The kiss was so unexpected but appropriate. It felt good not to pretend that we were an actual couple, because the kiss had truly come from the bottom of my heart, and those were the only kind of kisses I wanted to giveher.

I strolled over to my mother and kissed her on top of her head before wrapping my arm around Emma’s waist and pulling her closer to me. This felt too fucking good. Her soft curves pressed into mine, immediately infusing my veins with lust. I could already picture her body writing underneath mine as I kissed her silky skin. The smell of her and me blending, our limbs entangling, bodies rocking, and the sweet sound of her whimpers as I soothed every need she ever had. If I didn’t have her soon, I was sure my balls would explode.

“For what it’s worth, I’m glad you got your kids back safely.” Emma’s gaze lifted and she looked right at me, her long lashes flapping provocatively. “Otherwise I wouldn’t have met this wonderfulman.”

My mom drew her hand to her chest. She regarded us both before saying, “You know, Emma, maybe we will join you at the fest after all. It’s time this family regained the strength and camaraderie it oncehad.”

Emma jumped up and squealed with happiness before running around the table to hug her. “Thank you so much. This is going to be so much fun. I’d never been to a summer fest. Is there anything I should know? Should I bake a pie or something?”

“Oh, don’t worry about the food. The ladies from the town’s women’s circle will take care of it all. Just bring yourself and a good pair of cowboy boots to dancein.”

Cowboy boots she definitely had, and remembering her moves from the strip club, I had no doubt that Emma could hold her own on the dance floor.

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