Page 34 of Emma's Element

Not that there should be any fallout. Even though he was a uber celebrity, he was entitled to a life outside of the public eye. Dating a woman shouldn’t be such a big deal. But for some reason, he’d never been able to maintain a private life. Other celebrities managed to succeed at that; why was it so different for Marcus? His publicist should have been doing more to provide a buffer between him and the media. At least now that he’d fired her, maybe he could find someone new to help guard his personal life.

Her thoughts continued to circle around her concern for Marcus, all alone, with no friends to comfort him. Emma was never one to cry, but when she thought of his isolation, a single tear slid down her cheek, this time, she let it fall.

There was a knock at her door. Upon seeing Emma’s face, Jolene gathered her into a huge hug, and Emma felt the hopelessness overwhelm her again. Jolene was soon joined by Natalie, Maddie, and Annika. Her new friends. She prayed they’d stay her friends.

Jolene sat next to her, holding her hand. “What is it? What’s happened?”

“He’s leaving,” she said simply, twisting her father’s watch repeatedly around on her wrist.

“What do you mean he’s leaving?” Natalie asked.

“He’s convinced, now that the word got out, that the press would ruin my life and the rest of the Nighthawks.”

“Word of what?” Annika wondered.

“Jolene didn’t tell you?” They all shook their heads. She stood and brought her laptop over to show them the images. They were just as shocked to see her picture and the accompanying article as Emma was.

“I’m sorry, Emma. I had no idea telling you about the pictures would chase him away. I just wanted to warn you that a photographer was lurking nearby,” Jolene said contritely. Emma understood Jolene meant to shield her so she wouldn’t have to endure what the press had put her through after the accident.

“I know, JoJo. And you have nothing to be sorry for. But those pictures made him confront what it would be like for me to be in a relationship with him. The press, the paparazzi. Everything that came along with his fame. He didn’t want to put me through that. And he especially didn’t want to put the Nighthawks through it.”

“So, he’s leaving to protect everyone?” Natalie guessed. Emma nodded. “That’s rubbish!”

“I know,” she admitted. “But I don’t know how to fix it.”

“Don’t worry, Emma, we’ll think of something,” Jolene sympathized, patting her hand. “Does he know about what happened last year?”

Emma stared at her hands clasped in her lap. “No, I never told him.” She’d never been able to bring herself to do it.

“Know what?” asked Natalie.

Jolene looked at Emma, who nodded, giving her permission to expose all the skeletons in her closet. The women were shocked upon learning what she’d lived through. Being the sole survivor of a team of four from a Coast Guard rescue boat accident had been bad enough, but what had happened after had been pure hell. She had not been at the helm that night, but the press still held her accountable. They assumed there was a nefarious reason she’d survived. She was the Coastie Siren who had lured unsuspecting men to their deaths. Complete rubbish, but the grieving families had piled on, needing someone to blame.

Her best friend had been one of the men to die that night. Paul Rothman had been her partner since the very beginning of her career. After her father had been killed, he and his wife, Ginny, had been there for her every step of the way. They’d been like family. Ginny had been lost in her grief and firmly rooted in the anger stage when the press spewed their lies. She’d grasped those lies and burrowed inside them for comfort. When Emma had tried to attend Paul’s funeral, Ginny had turned on her, choosing to believe the lies that were spewed around about her relationship with her husband. Her anger and grief had fueled everyone else’s until Emma had become a pariah. Not a single person had come to her defense.

“What complete balderdash,” Annika contended. “Someone’s character should never be judged based on the words of another. There is always a motive behind the words of the person casting the bad judgment. That is what people should pay attention to, dissect, and study.”

Natalie agreed. “Their sole job is to sell their stories, newspapers, whatever. They will make up any salacious story to achieve that goal.”

Their support bolstered Emma. She’d been worried about how they’d react, and she shouldn’t have been. These women had each been through their own particular hells and come out stronger. She would do the same.

Annika placed a soft hand over hers. “I’m sorry you had to endure that awfulness. But I’m not sorry it brought you to us.” The sudden sting of tears struck the backs of her eyes. Having their support meant more to Emma than they would ever understand.

Pushing her shoulders back, she inhaled deeply, gathering her courage. She would not let the mother-hairball press break her. “Okay, so we need a plan. These vultures are not going to feed in my backyard.”

“Thatta girl,” praised Jolene.

“Maybe we should bring the guys in on this?” Annika said.

Emma shrugged, she wasn’t sure there was anything any of them could do, but she was willing to try. It had been such a wonderful day. She had been deliriously happy, what with the fencing duels followed by that intense make-out session. Now she was devastated, as if her heart had been torn to shreds; just as she’d predicted would happen. She was angry that Marcus wouldn’t stay to fight even if he was doing what he thought was best to protect her. It remained to be seen if his plan would work as he hoped. She had a feeling they were both in for a dreadful time. And that made her incredibly angry and sad . . . for both of them.

Marcusstoodatthelarge window in his rental house the next day, staring out across the lake but seeing nothing. He should start packing, but he couldn’t bring himself to do it. He’d certainly made a mess of things.

He couldn’t get Emma’s face out of his head. Both before and after. Before, she’d been so happy. Flushed with excitement from their kisses. She’d been so responsive, had felt so right in his arms. And so gorgeous it made his heart ache. The desire in her eyes had been everything. She’d wanted him just as much as he wanted her. She’d wantedhimand him alone.

But, like the idiot he was, he had to go and break her heart. The catch he’d heard in her voice as she’d called after him nearly sent him to his knees, even now. He hadn’t wanted to hurt her, but she’d be hurt so much more if the paparazzi got their hands on her. He didn’t want to see that happen to her; his only choice was to leave.

Seeing those horrible words splashed across the computer screen about Emma had been just like Marci all over again. He couldn’t witness another woman he cared about be branded with the worst labels, most contemptible words a woman could be named. He never understood why the people who wrote the articles tried to paint every person he met as the worst of human society when the complete opposite was true. He recognized they were trying to sell their stories, and the more salacious the better, but they shouldn’t have to tear down another human being to accomplish their goal.

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