Page 58 of Take A Chance

“They took me to the deli my father owns. It’s where he does his business, in one of the back offices. They held me there. I think one of them smacked me. I was so scared I don’t remember all the details. My father came in and had them take me home to Newark, where I grew up. They kept me there for days. I tried to think of a way to get out, but there was just no escaping.” I watched a tear trickle down her cheek and squeezed her.

“It’s okay, Emma. I’m here.” I kissed her temple, and she continued.

“Eventually, they sent an old friend of mine to me to convince me to eat. I’d stopped eating because I felt ill and I was scared. Anyway, when they took me out again, it was to meet my father. He demanded that I prove my worth to him and his men. They thought I was responsible for the hit on his life—I wrote about that in the statement. Anyway, they wanted me to kill my ex-fiancé’s cousin. They gave me a gun, took me to some abandoned warehouse, and sent me in to do the job. I found a hole in the fence around the building and ran.”

“Look, Grim, this is obviously very difficult for her. Can we just go?” I clenched my jaw, angry that they were making her relive this again.

Grim furrowed his brow but had compassion in his eyes. “Mr. Emmerson, you mentioned being attacked last night. Can you tell me what happened?” His eyes focused on me, not Emma, so I was happy to comply. I lifted my shirt and showed him the bandage that stretched at least ten inches across my side.

“A guy followed me to my office and was waiting for me when I came out. He came at me with a knife, and I defended myself.” I lowered my shirt and gave him a stern look. “After a firm warning, I got up and walked away, but he was in pretty bad shape because I let him have it. He demanded that I send Emma back to her father, and I told them she was mine now.”

“And this man, what did he look like?”

“It’s in my statement. Now, if you don’t mind, I believe we’ve been more than helpful, SSA Grim. I’d like to take my future bride home and comfort her where it’s safe.” I stood, and Grim nodded at me.

“If we have any further questions, I’ll come to you. If you’d like, we can send a police escort with you.” He stood too, followed by Emma. She still clung to my side.

“I told you before, that isn’t necessary. I have resources.” I eyed him, and he seemed to understand what I was saying. I didn’t need him or any other law enforcement official or agency to protect what was mine. After my past dealings, I knew how these snakes worked. I could handle myself.

“Let’s go,” Emma muttered, tugging at me, so I went with her.

With my arm wrapped around her side every step of the way, I guided her to the car parked directly in front of the station where Gary waited. I fully expected there to be some sort of scuffle or attack, but we made it home without any drama. Emma collapsed onto the couch in a ball, but I could tell she wasn’t feeling well. I chalked it up to the stress of the circumstances.

I let her lie there while I went to the bathroom and filled the bath with hot water, pouring a capful of shampoo under the flow to give her some bubbles too. Then I poured a glass of wine, started a nice instrumental song on my Echo dot, and laid out a towel for her. When I returned to the living room, she was sitting up, sipping a glass of clear soda. She had a few crackers in her hand too, which I thought was an odd choice for a snack, but it wasn’t like I had taken time to stock this place for visitors. I knew what I liked and had those things ready. Emma, however, was still a bit of a mystery.

“Come with me,” I told her, wiggling my fingers, arm outstretched. She glanced up at me then stood, placing her cup on the table. She shoved the last cracker in her mouth and took my hand, and I led her to the bathroom.

“Oh, Blake, this... You didn’t have to do all this.”

Emma looked on the verge of tears as I started to undress her. I was careful not to touch the bruise on her face, but as the shirt slid up over her head, she winced and reached for it. I held her hand away, kissing it gently. “I’m sorry they hurt you. I’m going to make them pay for that.” I lingered there, inches from her face, and she tipped her chin up to touch her lips to mine.

“Just knowing you accept me for who I am is enough, Blake. You don’t have to jump back into that world again.”

I kissed her more eagerly, feeling a very protective notion swirling in my gut. I wanted her, but this moment wasn’t about me. It was about her. I reached around her back, unhooking her bra and letting it fall to the ground. Then I unbuttoned her pants and pushed them down. She kicked her shoes off and stepped out of the clothing, now naked before me.

“Get in,” I said, nudging her toward the bath. As she turned, I saw a bruise and a scrape on her side, ones I hadn’t seen yet in the darkness of the car or my bedroom. I lightly touched them as she passed, and she held my hand to her skin.

“I’m okay, Blake...” Her eyes were full of pain, but I knew she was right. She was strong. It was in her blood—not like me. I’d been forced to learn this. It came natural to her.

Emma sank into the water, letting the bubbles cover her body. I shut the water off and grabbed a washcloth, plunging it beneath the surface of the water. She looked at the glass of wine but laid her head back and closed her eyes. I used the soft cloth to wash her body, sensually rubbing it over her breasts and stomach. My dick throbbed, aching to be in her, but I was gentle, caressing her hips and thighs, waiting until I had washed every inch of her front side before sliding it between her legs. She spread them for me, and I found no moisture there, none of the sticky fluid I had expected. She wasn’t feeling the way I felt, so I washed her and then kissed her forehead.

“Lean forward and let me wash your back,” I told her as I picked up the glass of wine and handed it to her.

“I’m sorry,” she whimpered, setting the wine glass back on the stand by the tub. “I’m not feeling well. I don’t want to drink right now.”

I swirled the rag in the water, then smoothed it across her back, scrubbing her and massaging at the same time. “You’ve been feeling off since before this whole incident. Are you okay?” I asked her, now a bit worried.

“Just stress, I’m sure. It will go away,” she said, patting my arm. “I’m honestly tired. This bath was so thoughtful, but I think I want to go to bed early.”

Her shoulders dropped, and I decided maybe I had pushed her too far. Going into public had really scared her, and my attitude about not having the agents in my apartment probably hadn’t helped. I finished washing her back and kissed her temple again.

“Alright, let me dry you off and I’ll hold you while you rest.” I stood and collected the towel from the rack as she pulled the drain plug and stood.

Emma was beautiful, even with her bruises and sad eyes. What I wouldn’t give to make the light return to that smile, but only time would do that. Time and making sure her father went away for good. But the thought of her father made my chest tighten again, and I had to force ideas of revenge out of my mind. That would only make me angry and cold, and Emma deserved my comfort and compassion, not the beast.

I dried her off and wrapped the towel around her, then led her to the bedroom. I thought she’d pick an outfit and dress, but she climbed into bed, leaving the towel on the floor. I climbed in after her, curling my body around her, and she was asleep in less than ten minutes. I thought I’d get out of bed, make a bit of dinner, and watch a show to calm myself, but I found myself dozing soon after Emma. My dreams were fraught with nightmares, images of me pounding a man into the cement, bloodying his face until he was unrecognizable.

When my phone chirped in my pocket, it startled me awake. I glanced at the alarm clock on the nightstand and saw it was just after midnight. I reached into my pocket quickly, hoping the ringer wouldn’t wake Emma, but she tossed, rubbing her eyes as I put the phone to my ear.

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