Page 103 of Take Hold of Me

She picks up on the second ring. “It’s early by you, Emsy, is everything okay?”

Maman’s concern cuts through the last of my reserves and I break down.

“Oh, honey, what’s wrong? Please talk to me.”

I recount what happened tonight, earning gasps when I tell her what Wade did to me. “Oh no. I am so sorry you’re going through all this. But you’re alright? You weren’t hurt?”

I shake my head. “I am okay.”

“Dieu merci.” I can picture her placing her palm over her heart. “You said Wills beat up Wade?”

A small smile lifts my lips, but the pain from my cheek makes them drop. “Oui. He was out cold for a while. But when the paramedics took him away, he was awake.”

“Where is Wills now?”

I swallow. “I am not sure. Rinaldo pulled me away when the police said they wanted to take him to the station. I am waiting for him to join me here.”

“Rinaldo was at the party?”

“Did I not tell you?” I proceed to fill her in about my day—hard to believe less than twenty-four hours have passed since I was filming my cameo.

“Oh. I am so happy Rinaldo was there with you. He is a good man, Emsy.”

A vision of Wills with his arm cocked, ready to strike me, resurfaces. I did not know him at that moment, he was so furious. But when he recognized it was me, he dropped his fist. He would never hurt me. Ever.

“I was happy Rinaldo was able to drive me home.”

“You should rethink breaking up with him. It was only a timing issue before. Maybe you can do something to make your timing better now?”

My mind strays to conversations with my attorney about my taking more control over my schedule. “I am working on gaining more control over my calendar. And my life.”

“I’m sure Wills is a nice boy, but he seems to be very complicated. Perhaps he’s more trouble than what he’s worth. On the other hand, Rinaldo understands your life. He lives in the same world you do.”

I cannot argue with that logic. Where is Wills right now anyway? My heart wants him, not my ex. Besides, Rinaldo cannot see past the schmoozing and media attention to focus on having a real relationship. Another yawn takes over my body.

“Listen, Emsy, I’m going to let you get some sleep. Things will look better in the morning, they always do. Call me when you find out more news. I’m so happy you’re safe.”

After disconnecting the call, I check to see if I missed any texts from Wills. No. I toss the phone onto the coffee table and lean against the pillows. I will just stay here until Wills comes home. I know he will as soon as he can. My eyes flutter shut.

Sunlight streams through my window and caresses my face. The sun does not usually come in my bedroom from this angle. I must have slept later than usual. My eyes open and I blink several times. I am in my salon, not my bedroom. Memories of last night crash around me, forcing me to sit up. I call out for the one man I need to speak with. “Wills?”

Silence.

He did not come here last night. Helplessness washes over me. How can I reach out and help him when he is so closed off from me?

I need to see him.

I pull myself off the sofa, stretch my muscles and make my way to my shower. Soon, after applying quite a lot of makeup to hide the evidence of Wade’s fury, I await the car service to pick me up and bring me to my boyfriend’s flat. Despite what Val and Maman said last night, he is the man I want. We are meant to be together. I need to fight for us.

The beep of a horn announces the arrival of my ride. After checking my purse to be sure I have the surprise I told him about yesterday—a behind-the-scenes experience at “Ninja Heroes”—I lock the front door. While I head to the street, I vow to get my remaining fifty hours of driving practice in so I can get my license as soon as the six-month requirement has passed. I do not like having to depend on someone else to take me from place to place. Even Wills.

Sliding into the back seat, I give the address to the driver and text Wills. Again. He has not responded to my last dozen texts, so I have no illusion that he will respond this time. But I have to try.

McKenna texts me, sending her good wishes and asking me to call her. My finger hovers over the send button, but I close the app instead. No. I need to speak directly with Wills and not seek out any more advice. Val and Maman filled my head up enough last night.

From where I sit, I cannot watch the driver’s movements. Instead, I watch the road signs pass. With each exit, I grow closer to being with Wills again. My stomach flips with nerves. I rub my stomach and try to concentrate on the road.

Of course, my mind refuses to shut down, instead tripling the number of butterflies fighting in my stomach. What if he does not allow me in? What if he is not home? What if he does not want to be with me anymore, realizing that I am too much hassle? I am the one who brings out crazy people and, after everything he has been through, he certainly does not need that in his life.

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