“Coming?” Chance challenges.
“Yes, coming. And if you didn’t think I had a reason, you wouldn’t be in my face about Emma. You wouldn’t think I have a reason to hurt her.”
Chance’s gaze jerks to me. “Did you hear that? Do you see who you’re playing games with right now, Emma?”
“He isn’t trying to hurt me, Chance.”
He takes my arm. “Come with me.”
“No,” I say, shoving against him. “Stop. I’ll meet you upstairs, Chance.” I soften my voice. “I know you want to protect me, but Jax isn’t the enemy. Tell him what you know.”
“There’s nothing to tell.”
“If you want to protect her,” Jax says, “rein in York, use his family, and yes, I mean Marion, who you too coincidentally have your sister meeting today. Because if you don’t, I sure the fuck will.”
“Jax,” I warn.
He looks down at me. “He hasn’t protected you, Emma, but I will and that I won’t apologize for.”
“You will?” Chance challenges. “Says the man accusing her family of God knows what?”
Jax’s gaze jerks back to his. “Yes. I will and everyone should take note and take it well.”
“I’ll handle York,” Chance replies and looks at me. “Marion will be here in fifteen minutes. I’ll see you upstairs.”
I give him a choppy nod, and he turns and walks away. I stare after him, praying that he’s not involved in something that damaged Jax’s family, but that doesn’t absolve Jax from his behavior either. The minute my brother’s out of hearing range, I whirl on him. “Why would you go at him about Marion?”
“He knows York showed up in your apartment and he’s throwing you into a meeting with Marion. I don’t like it, Emma. It feels off.”
“He’s my brother and he didn’t know about York showing up to my apartment until we told him.”
His lips thin. “He knew. I saw it in his eyes.”
“He didn’t know,” I bite out.
“Take it from me, sweetheart. We don’t always know our siblings as well as we think. I’m proof of that fact.”
That statement ignites more anger in one moment, and then softens me in the next, my hand settling on his chest. “I know. And I know you want to protect me, but Chance and my mother are all I have left. I need to believe in my brother.”
“And he needs you to believe in him, but at what cost, Emma?” He softens. “Just be careful, baby. I don’t want you hurt in all of this. You’re in the middle of a live fire.” He pulls me close, pressing his cheek to mine, his lips at my ear. “We are good, really damn good, Emma.” He inches back to look at me. “You know that, right?”
“Yes. I know.” I grab his lapel. “And I really do like baby. Not just because of how you say it. Because I’ve decided that you use it when you’re emotional and I think very few people get to see those emotions. But just remember, we’re good because we understand each other. And what I understand now is that while you may not choose to show those emotions to others, they’re present, and like it or not, they’re a part of you and your decisions.”
He doesn’t agree or disagree. He doesn’t even comment. He simply takes my hand and brings it to his lips. “Be careful,” he repeats. “Call me if you need me. I’m going to a couple of meetings, but nothing I won’t end for you.”
Protectiveness radiates from him, the kind you don’t just hear, but feel. It’s another something that I’ve never felt that from anyone in my life, even Chance, if I’m honest. “I’ll be fine. I have Savage, too. I’ll call him if I need help and text you so I won’t interrupt your meetings. I’ll see you soon?”
“The minute you’re free, baby.” He leans in to my ear again. “And I already can’t wait.” He pulls back and slides my briefcase onto my shoulder. “Go inside so I know you’re safe.”
I turn, walking toward the door, but dread fills me at what is before me, and I find that I want to turn around and walk back toward Jax, but that’s not an option. I need to know what this is all about. I need answers. And so, I keep moving forward and enter the building, waving goodbye to Jax, and heading toward the elevator. Once I’m on the car, my mind shifts back to Jax’s accusations about Chance. Did Chance know about York and he didn’t check on me? And if so, how would he know? That doesn’t feel right. York is somehow up to no good, no good that I now really, truly, fear links to Jax and his brother. But if Jax is right, if my brother knew that York was at my apartment, does that mean that he’s involved, too?