Page 40 of The Soul that Redeems Me
Leaving Emily laying in bed, looking like a goddess was one of the hardest things I had to do. I wanted to crawl back into bed, crawl between her legs, and show her how much I loved her until we both passed out from exhaustion. I needed to stop thinking about how badly I wanted her before my semi grows thick and I have to explain my hard-on to the other train passengers.
The Uber took me the last two miles into the office and I walked through security, nodding to the guards as I made my way onto the floor I shared with everyone. They could have put me on the level below with all the other staff but I had been given a small office just up the hall from Jason’s office.
I got started looking over the signed contracts as well as drafting an email regarding the notes Emily had taken and the suggestions she had made regarding the Literacy Program and the expanding outreach MSJ Media was now undertaking. It had started out with adding physical fitness but with Emily’s recommendations, I was hoping we could explore the food pantry and social services that seemed to be lacking in our current endeavor.
Looking up, I realized I had about fifteen minutes before my scheduled meeting so I called Emily to see where she was and what time she expected to be home with Jake. I was still worried about her feeling of being followed, even though she had not repeated her worry to me since the night with the drunk asshole trying to get into our apartment.
She answered on the second ring, “Hello.”
“Hello, beautiful. Have you finally crawled out of bed or do I get to still envision you laid out like an angel?” I husked into the phone.
“I’m up but you can imagine me however you want.” She purred through the phone.
Since Friday night, she had become a new woman, her boldness shining through as she fought her demons and won, finally being able to open herself up to me intimately. I was in awe at her ability to push the past back and focus on the future she wanted.
“When are you getting on the road? I’ll text Mom and Dad and let them know you are on the way.” My need to know where she was growing with each second I was away from her.
“I texted your Mom and let her know I’d be there after her salon appointment this morning. I’m going to run a few errands then I’ll be headed up to get Jake.” She laughed into the phone, her joy coming through in her voice.
“Call me when you get there so I know you made it safely. The traffic shouldn’t be too bad for you this time of the day. I love you.” I told her.
“I will. Don’t worry, Josh. I’m going to get my guard dog. I love you too,” she replied before disconnecting the call.
Noticing the time, I grabbed my files and notes before heading into the meeting in Jason’s office. I walked in to see my family sitting around the couch area, drinking coffee, and sharing pictures of Lillian and James since they have been born. I noticed Carol had joined us and I thought it was weird but shrugged it off, expecting her to take notes since we had so much information to cover.
Jason started the meeting by welcoming the new parents back into the office, laughing since Maddie and Lucas had spent some time last week going over the paperwork before I left for Chicago. I filled them in on the developments from my meetings before I went over the recommendations from Emily.
They all sat taking notes while I explained how she felt the program could use a food pantry and the addition of social services. A special counselor to work with the participants to help with home issues, personal problems, or potential legal needs. There may be a time when someone in authority may need to help and we should be prepared for any and all outcomes.
“Emily found an area we are lacking in and I, for one, think we should spend some time looking into adding a licensed counselor into each city. We can pilot the program here and expand it in the same order we rolled the initial program out in,” Jason remarked, a smile on everyone’s face at her insight and ability to spot another area we can help in. “As far as a food pantry, we can get corporate sponsors to donate as well as allocate funds to make sure no one goes hungry. Smart girl.” Jason remarked.
Andrew and I looked like the cat that ate the canary as Maddie and Caroline chattered about how they needed to convince her to return to college. Not wanting them to gang up on her, I started to say something when Jason started talking, cutting all other conversations off.
“If Emily wants to go back to college, she’ll go. If she doesn’t, you two won’t push her. Let her decide what she wants.”
I was taken aback by his gruff tone, having never heard him even speak cross in front of his daughter and her sister. Maddie and Caroline swung their heads toward him as Lucas shifted in his seat, his anger evident from the look on his face.
“What the hell, Jason. What’s wrong with you lately?” Lucas asked, the silence spreading around us.
Jason looked at me and raised an eyebrow, indicating he was about to spill the secret I was hoping would never see the light of day.
Shanking my head, I uttered, “Shit. No, Jason. Don’t tell me that…” As I sat forward, my hands clenched into fists.
“I’m afraid so. It’s not as bad as we were thinking but, yeah…” he trailed off, his eyes downcast at the news he was about to share.
“Can someone please tell us what the hell is going on?” Maddie asked, her head swinging back and forth between her father and me, a look of fear and anger starting to form on her face.
I shook my head and stood, needing to pace before I hit something or someone. I didn’t know what exactly Jason was about to tell us but I knew it had to do with my Emily and what the fucking monster did to her. That sick fuck’s desire to walk free again.
“Does the name Shane Montgomery mean anything to you?” Jason asked as Andrew stood up and roared into the room.
“What the hell does he have to do with anything, Jason? That lunatic is locked behind bars, where he deserves to rot for what he did.” Andrew yelled, knocking over the chair I had been sitting in, causing Caroline to jump up, trying to calm him and Maddie moving away from the flying furniture, Lucas shielding her with his body.
“He has everything to do with whatever Jason is about to tell us because the sick bastard is trying to get a new trial. Am I right, Jason? Did a judge actually agree to this madness?” I yelled as Caroline whispered to a visible shaking Andrew.
“You knew?!” Andrew bellowed as I felt his body crash into mine, our bodies falling onto the floor as Jason and Lucas scrambled to pull him off of me. He managed to get a good shot across my jaw before Lucas had him restrained and Caroline jumped in front of him, trying to stop his advancements.
“Who is Shane Montgomery?” Carol asked, standing up behind Maddie who had tears rolling down her face, her hands gripping her shoulders tightly as Maddie reached up and linked their fingers together.
