The house he owned on this private island was huge. I could go hours without seeing him.
Right now, I sat looking over the ocean, enjoying the waves. I wasn’t too close.
I also had a pair of binoculars, which I kept randomly using. I was weird, all right, I kept trying to find a shark fin, or an octopus’s tentacle.
Way too many giant sea creature movies for me. Some were so lame, they were good.
“I don’t like the thought of you not living your dream. You’ve been taking care of me for a long time. Don’t think I don’t know it, either. I do. I know you’ve been by my side, protecting me, helping me.”
Seven years of helping her get through her heartache.
Leaving her men had really done a number on her.
“You know I love you, Em. Can we not talk about future plans and what we’re not going to get out of life? Tell me about your pregnancy.”
She was terrified of being a shit mother. There was no way she could be. Emily was a huge softy at heart. The Monsters gave her the chance to be herself, to embrace her softer side.
The girl I once knew back in Crude Hill High, that had been the survivor. That school didn’t allow for people to be soft. It was a glorified war zone.
Fucking terrifying if truth be told.
The first day had been a nightmare for me. I was nothing more than a whore’s kid, and I’d been easy pickings. If it hadn’t been for Emily, they may have killed me and disposed of my body.
I owed Emily so much.
“I don’t like changing the subject,” Emily said, complaining.
“Tough. It’s what we’re going to talk about. Come on. Tell me.” I held the laptop as Emily stood.
“Can you even see a bump?” The camera was at her waistline.
“Can’t see anything, but you do need to eat more. You’re way too skinny.”
“Then you need to come back home. Cook for me. The guys would love you back.”
Emily got comfortable.
Crude Hill wasn’t my home.
I didn’t say as such. I refused to upset her.
“Do you have morning sickness? Strange smells? Aching nipples?”
Emily burst out laughing. This wasn’t fake. She was truly happy and seeing her this way filled me with so much joy. My best friend had finally found her peace. There was no way I couldn’t be happy for her.
“I see you changing the subject. Yes, the morning sickness has started and it’s gross. Thankfully, I have my pick of four guys willing to hold my hair and rub my back. Drake helps as well. Coffee makes me feel sick. My nipples are sore. That’s pretty much it. Oh, I have this need to make sure the nursery is ready.”
“How is Drake doing?” We could come back to safer topics. I never liked Drake in school. He was far too volatile, and I did believe he still was. He hid it well. Either that or his loyalty to the Monsters kept him in check. Again, not my business.
“He’s much better, actually. I keep asking him if he’s dating his nurse but he’s being very tight-lipped on his love life. I tried to get some info from Gael, but they don’t talk about Drake’s sex life. I think he’s into some kinky kind of shit. Kind of scary stuff. Oh, I totally forgot to tell you, Amelia came back to Crude Hill. She’s living with us and will be enrolling at Crude Hill High.”
I couldn’t remember Amelia. “Who?”
“Oh, right. It’s kind of not a secret but he’s never really made it well known. River’s sister. He takes full care of her now. His mother refused to come back, and she pretty much sent her daughter packing. Kind of sad. Amelia seems sweet though, quiet. Like a mouse.”
“Please tell me you’re being nice to her.”
“Ash, I am nice. Besides, she’s family.” Emily stifled a yawn. “Enough about me. Tell me about you.”
I turned the laptop around so she could get a good view of the ocean.
“Holy shit,” Emily said.
“Yep, that’s my view. It’s beautiful.”
“Ash, I’m not stupid, okay. I know you. What does Earl have to offer you?”
Resting the laptop on my knees, I stared out at the ocean as I thought about it.
“Ash?” Emily asked after several seconds.
“I know you don’t like this arrangement, and you don’t see what I could possibly have to gain. The truth is, I don’t know. When I’m with him, I don’t feel the need to leave. I like being around him. He can be fun.”
“You know what he’s capable of. What his entire empire is made up?”
I returned my gaze to the screen. “Emily, think about the Monsters, and what they’ve been involved with. What’s to say they haven’t benefited off of the women that have been taken and sold?” I hated that part of him.