Page 48 of Black Wave

“It’s okay, baby. What is it?''

She breaks away and looks at me. “I have to show you.” She grabs my hand and leads me into her room. I’m confused as hell and wonder what she is doing.

When we reach her room, she closes the door behind me. She saunters into the bathroom, almost hesitating, then starts the shower. She closes the door and returns to stand in front of me. Now, I am confused. I’m sure my bafflement is visible on my face. Where is she going with this? She looks at me, biting her lip. I arch an eyebrow at her and wait, not uttering a word. She clears her throat and averts her eyes.

“I came home and was looking forward to hanging out with Liv.” She pauses and still hasn’t made eye contact with me as she recounts the events. “I took a shower, and I…” She trails off, and her breathing is labored, as if what she is about to say pains her.

“What is it, Emma?” I am freaking out inside and don’t want to scare her by yelling. “You can tell me. I’ll fix it.”

She lets out a small gasp, almost a cry, shaking her head back and forth. I am on high alert, not liking where this conversation is going. I want to shake her, make her tell me because I am freaking out. She looks me in the eye and says the words that are my undoing.

“Eduardo, he found me.”

I see red. My nostrils flare, and I try to hide my anger. “What do you mean he found you?” I spit out. “Baby?”

She doesn’t say anything. Instead, she grabs my hand and leads me into the steamy bathroom. She looks at me and then points to the mirror.

That’s when I see it.

Don’t run from me Emma.

I stare at it. My breathing is labored. I get my phone and make a call.

“Philip, we have a crisis here. Emma is in danger. We are going to my place. Have extra security sent. She won’t be back here alone and definitely not to sleep. We will be out after she packs up her things.”

I turn to her and pull her into a smothering hug. “Baby, I won’t let him have you.”

I think to myself and repeat it in my head,You are mine.

Mine to love.

Mine to protect.

“Now, let’s get out of here.”

I help Emma pack a bag for now so we can get the fuck out of here. She leaves Liv a note to tell her that I came over and persuaded her to stay at my place. She left the message in plain sight and wrote in a playful tone, so Liv thinks nothing of it. Little does she know the chaos brewing surrounding Emma’s life.

We drive to my house in record time and enter my secure complex. I knew I should have brought Emma over here and insisted she stay with me, but I was trying to be considerate of her feelings and independence. I knew she was staying with Liv and came to Houston to help her deal with some issues. I also know that her reasons weren’t entirely selfless. She was scared of Julian and tried hiding from him after saying he found her in Padre Island.

After I get her settled in my room, I leave her to ensure everyone knows that Emma is my number-one priority and she is to be watched at all times. I added another person to her security detail along with Philip to ensure she is protected with another set of fresh, watchful eyes. I also told them that if she wants to get a hold of me, she is to be immediately put through. If I am in a meeting, interrupt. I don’t know how to make it any clearer.

I can’t imagine if something had happened and she couldn’t reach me. In fact, that is what happened. She had tried to contact me but couldn’t. What if it was more serious? What if he was there? I shiver at the thought of her being helpless and taken from me. I won’t let it happen. Maybe I can put a tracking device on her. We will get something for her tomorrow—a necklace or bracelet to let us know where she is, just in case. That will at least make me feel a little better when I don’t have my own eyes on her.

I need to talk with Emma, so I return to our room and find her sitting on the bed. Her legs are crossed, and her head is in her hand. I close the door behind me and see her head swing up. Her emerald-green eyes are fixed on me. I immediately go over and sit on the bed next to her. I pick her up and sit her on my lap. She holds on to me and places her arms around my neck. Her scent envelopes me, and I kiss her head, saying soothing words I didn’t think I was capable of. My life doesn’t allow for this kindof talk, but with Emma, I find myself saying everything I’ve ever wanted to tell her.

Words I’ve thought about saying to her if I was given a second chance.

Words I would have said to her if this wasn’t our second chance, but if we had stayed together all this time.

She leans into me and raises her head to look up at me. I bring my lips down to hers and kiss her passionately. I want to convey all my love to her, along with all my insecurities and fears. I try to tell her I can’t lose her again, but I don’t. Instead, I kiss her, letting my body show her what she means to me. I break the kiss reluctantly.

“Emma, we need to talk, and I want you to listen.” She nods, and I am expecting more of a fight, but I guess when you have been hiding and fearing for your life, you have to explore all options.

I tell her about the addition to her necklace we will get soon. She agrees, and nothing will seem amiss since she already wears this necklace. I want to buy her something unique; this isn’t exactly how I envisioned this going. At least it will serve a purpose and keep her safe.

The next piece of jewelry will be an engagement ring. That could be an option. If I marry her, then everyone will know she is mine. She will be safer, except this guy is unhinged. It will bring her into the spotlight, and she doesn’t want that either. When I give her a ring, I want it to be because we want to be married, not for her to be forced into a marriage of convenience with me. I don’t think she would see it as that, but that’s how it would seem. She has had so many choices taken from her that I want her to choose me.

“Emma, I will have you stay here. We also need to figure out something with your work schedule. Do you want to continue towork?” I ask her because I don’t want to take that choice away from her.

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