Page 47 of Black Wave

“Don’t worry about it, Liv, I got you, my boo,” I say. “I got you covered, girl.”

She nods. I feel sadness radiating off her, but also for myself. I swallow the lump forming in my throat.

Don’t go.

I want to tell you everything.

If only it wouldn’t get you killed.

Like my family.

Liv gets up from the couch, letting go of my hand. She tells me she has some things to do. I sit there and think about everything that Liv and I said, as well as the unspoken words. We both are in newish relationships, and I am terrified. I am so terrified of royally screwing it up.

I go back to my room and wait for Eduardo to call me. I decide to take one of my romance novels and begin reading about fated mates. I love this stuff. I read for an hour and feel my eyes become heavy with sleep. I tuck my Kindle under my pillow and prepare for a restless night when my phone rings.

I check the number and notice that Eduardo is calling. I answer the phone in earnest.

CHAPTER 26

Eduardo

Ihave to work tonight at the club as a few things require my attention. I didn’t want to tell Emma, but I am meeting someone who may have information about Julian and the Martinez family. It’s the perfect time for the meeting, since she isn’t here with me, electing to spend some quality time with her friend, Liv. Although it won’t be a late night, I miss having her here with me. The club is also a primary source of my income, as much as the other dealings that occur here, supplying a better compensation for my family’s overall business endeavors.

Seth, one of my father’s business associates, was in attendance. He seemed to remember the name of Julian’s father and said he would do some digging around for me. I asked him to use discretion; he knew he owed me a favor. That’s the thing about this business. We all have our secrets that we want to keep. The one thing our organization hates is associates who talk.

At the close of the meeting, he vowed to stay in touch, and I felt a small amount of relief in knowing that we might find out what really happened to her parents and sister and why Emma is still being pursued. All along, I’ve suspected there is more to the story than just Julian wanting Emma for himself.

My phone rings, tearing me away from my thoughts. I go upstairs to my office from the basement’s back stairwell, where we usually conduct business. This area has a room for complete privacy and is soundproofed. It’s also where we keep people who need questioning. I look down at my screen and see that it's Philip calling.

“Yes, Philip.” I enter the office and loosen my tie.

“Boss, I’m sorry to bother you, but Emma was trying to reach you. She called me and sounded…off. I asked if she needed anything and was on my way up when she said no, but for you to call her.”

My pulse quickens. “Have you seen anything? You are there at her apartment, correct?” I pour myself a drink and let the cool amber liquid settle me. He reassures me he is there and hasn’t seen anything that appears suspicious. Liv is there with her, and she is fine. So why do I feel unsettled?

“Thanks. I’ll call her now.” I hang up and immediately call Emma. Fuck, I knew that I should have just brought her here. I hate that she is alone at night. Either she comes here with me or?—

“Eduardo?” She sounds out of breath, and I am on alert.

“Baby, is everything okay? What’s wrong?” I suddenly feel that there is most definitely something very, very wrong.

“Umm,” she hesitates. “I’m okay. Liv is here, and Philip is outside, but…”

“Emma, spit it out,” I almost yell into the phone, trying not to scream at her. It isn't her. It’s my fear of losing her again. I’m scared that something might happen. I grab my keys and head out the door. “I’m going to get you. Stay there and pack a bag. No, better yet, pack a suitcase.”

She’s quiet on the other line for a minute, and I think she hung up. I look at the phone, and she is still there.

That’s when I hear her say, “Okay, hurry.” And I fucking do.

I speed all the way over there and think of all the ways to gut this prick slowly and painfully. I hate the number he did on Emma and is still trying to get to her. If he touches a hair on her head, he’s dead. Honestly, he’s dead anyway once I find him. I’m raging when I pull into her apartment complex parking lot. What was I thinking even allowing her to stay here? Without me?

I jump out of the car and see Philip run over to me.

“Is something wrong, Boss?” The concern in Philip's voice is palpable, and I look over to him.

“Emma called and sounded off, almost scared just like you said. I didn’t give her time to explain and she told me to hurry. I’m going in to get her and bring her home with me.” I almost saywhere she belongs, but I don’t.

“Wait there, and then follow us to the penthouse,” I bark as I race away, taking two steps at a time to Emma’s door. I knock lightly and text her that I’m outside. She opens the door, slowly stepping away. I walk in and close the door behind me. I look her up and down, and she jumps into my arms.

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