Page 81 of Emma's Element

“I’m doing something different now,” she returned flatly. He’d said the wrong thing and he didn’t know how to fix it. The woman in front of him was hurting. Was she still mourning the death of her fiancé, even after two years?

“Listen, I just want to say how sorry I am?” His ringing phone interrupted him. He gave her a sheepish smile while pulling his phone out and glanced at the caller ID. He froze, recognizing the number. He swiped to answer mouthing an apology to Sutton.

“Wyatt?” The tiny voice that spoke sent his heart into his toes.

“What’s wrong?”

“I’m scared. Can you . . . can you come get me?” She sounded terrified. Her voice so shaky he could barely understand her.

“Tell me where you are.”

“In the place.”

“Good, stay there, baby girl. I’ll be there as soon as I can.” He glanced up to see Sutton still standing there, staring at him. There was concern in her gorgeous gaze, but he turned his back to her, focusing instead on the voice on the end of the line. He sensed her before he felt her hand on his arm and looked at her as he listened to his caller sob.

“Everything okay?” He nodded. “Anything I can do to help?” Surprise suffused him she’d offer since they barely knew each other, but the sobbing on the phone morphed into a terrified gasp.

That horrified sound had his heart stopping momentarily before turning over and thumping hard. He’d never suffered the type of fear he felt hearing her frightened whimpers, knowing he was too far away to protect her. “Someone’s coming,” she whispered.

He quickly moved into action. “Stay hidden, baby girl. I’m coming. I’ll leave the phone line open but don’t speak. Just stay quiet.” He rushed back out into the dining room. Graham noticed his expression and joined him as he made his way out the door of the bar.

“What can I do?” he asked.

“It’s time. Once I get her out, I’ll need that help.”

Graham clapped him on the shoulder before he could pass through the door. “I’d feel better if you’d take Jude with you. Just in case.” He waved the man over. Jude came immediately, already aware of Wyatt’s situation and the urgency. “We’re all here for you. Good luck.”

Wyatt peeled out of the parking lot hoping he’d get to her in time. Then he vowed she would not spend another moment with those monsters.

AftertheconfrontationwithCharlie, while the EMT’s checked the damage to Emma’s face, the Nighthawks had located and recovered his brother’s body. He had hit his head on a large rock at the bottom of the bluff, which killed him instantly. For a while, Marcus didn’t know how he felt about his death.

Marcus couldn’t help but wonder what would have happened if his brother had confessed to him about Harrison’s manipulation. He’d loved his baby brother and would have done everything possible to help him. But Charlie had kept quiet and allowed their father’s greed and criminal ambitions to poison him. His death felt like such a waste.

His family’s treachery cut deep, but since he’d stopped thinking of Harrison as family ages ago, he would gladly see him rot behind bars. He would mourn his brother deeply as all the what ifs swirled in his mind.

By some miracle, the new publicist he’d hired managed to keep the press and paparazzi salivating over the scandal to a minimum. Furthermore, he’d kept them away from Lake Haven and out of Emma’s past, allowing Marcus to live a somewhat normal life, finally. Which is why he had been able to join the others for a celebration dinner at Jolene’s without being hounded. The freedom from the vultures allowed him the time he needed to figure out his next venture. He was still up in the air about the Nighthawks project, but in the meantime, he enjoyed continuing his training with them. He’d even helped on a recent SAR mission to find a couple of missing hikers. Marcus had found the hikers before Jude, their tracking expert, and the Nighthawks had been merciless in teasing Jude for losing to the actor.

And now, in a little dive bar in small-town America, Marcus had found the friends and family he’d been searching for most of his adult life. The friends had quickly accepted him as one of their own. Never caring who he was or what he did for a living. He offered monetary assistance, but they encouraged him to physically help as well, allowing Marcus to feel more useful than just his ability to throw money at a charity. He felt valued, like he was where he belonged.

And that sense of belonging was due in large part to the woman who sat beside him laughing with their friends. Emma. His fierce warrior. The best thing to ever happen to him. She was the key to his happiness. And he had been a fool to think he could live without her in his life. She was his everything. His family. His life. His love.

The great love stories on the big screen got it wrong. Love wasn’t a struggle; it wasn’t an epic battle, there were no sacrifices of the things that bring you joy. It was simple, easy because the one you loved made it so. Love doesn’t begin with a single glance like the stories would have you believe. It happens with smiles, conversations, laughter, and simple touches. Loving Emma was effortless. Their love story would be about the continuing journey, not the end. No fade to black. And being the man she loved would be his greatest role ever.

Emma was officially living with Marcus in his lakeside home. He had talked the owners into selling the house to him, and Emma was in the process of filling it with myriad plants. The two of them spent as many sunsets as possible sitting together on the bench in the copse of trees, determined not to let the horrendous events that had taken place there ruin their favorite spot.

Emma noticed him watching her and reached over to grab his hand. He laced his fingers with hers and brought her hand to his lips. She smiled and squeezed his hand, her love for him shining just as brightly in her eyes as he was sure his was for her. He leaned closer to her and was about to whisper his love in her ear when Graham stood and asked for everyone’s attention.

“So, as you all know, we have a lot to celebrate tonight,” he began. “Not only is Marcus’s movie number one in the world . . .”

“Like there was any doubt,” Finch called.

“But he and Emma are also responsible for taking down a couple of criminal masterminds.” Cheers erupted from the crowd at the tables. It had been as much a surprise to him as it was to anybody that his father and brother had successfully hid their nefarious acts for so long. Authorities had discovered numerous blackmail plots they’d orchestrated. Charlie’s hacking skills allowed him to dig into people’s deepest, darkest secrets which Harrison then used to exploit their victims.

“The Titan’s powers are immense!” Finch shouted, which made everybody laugh.

“On screen and off,” Jolene teased. “Bless your heart.”

“And also, thanks to Marcus,” Graham continued. “The warehouse construction has been completed and nearly fully stocked.” More cheers and back slaps for Marcus.

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