Emily entertained her.
This happened during the drive toward Ashley’s house. We pulled up and I spotted a really nice car waiting in the driveway, which finally silenced Ashley.
“You okay?” Emily asked.
“Yeah, I’m fine. He’s here.”
“Does he scare you?” I asked. I didn’t care but I felt the need to ask.
“No. He’s a nice guy. I just, don’t like him. He’s … he’s a lot of things and even though my mom knew the score, every single time he leaves, which he does, always, she cries. She’s fallen in love with a man she can never have.”
Ashely climbed out of the car, but out of the corner of my eye, I’d seen Emily tense the moment she saw the car.
I waited.
“Call me if you can,” Ashley said. “We are so doing toenails tomorrow.” She slammed the door closed and headed indoors.
“You know who that car belongs to, don’t you?”
“Yep.” She popped out the p.
“Who?”
“My dad.” She rolled her head toward me. “That’s who.”
“Oh.”
“Yep. This is news to me. I’m not surprised.”
“Do you hate her?”
“Ashley?”
I nodded.
“Hell, no. She doesn’t know who my dad is and besides, other than a few greetings, he has nothing to do with her. I do find it interesting, though. You guys looked into her, and not once did you tell me my dad was the one to pay for her.”
“His name isn’t on the documents.”
“No, my driver is, isn’t he?”
“Yes.”
She blew out a breath. “Whatever. Come on, take me home.”
I had no interest in taking her home.
Putting my foot down to the floor, I drove us out of Crude Hill.
“Vadik, what are you doing?”
“You don’t need to go home. Not tonight.” I was breaking all the rules and I didn’t care.
Emily wasn’t going home.
Bernard Crane had a lot to answer to, and I’d be damned if Emily paid the price. I should have killed that bastard myself and made it look like an accident. I could do it, no doubt about it. I kept on driving until I saw the sign for a hotel. I had the money. The red glow called to me.
After pulling into the parking lot, I turned off the engine. We’d been driving long enough for the sun to set.
“You okay?” I asked.
“Yeah.”
“If you want me to take you home, just say the word.”
“No. I don’t want to go home.” She unbuckled her seatbelt.
We got out of the car and headed toward the main reception where I booked us a room for the night. We didn’t encounter any trouble.
The room itself was nice and clean, which was more than I could ask for.
Emily stepped inside and lowered herself to the edge of the bed, checking it. “It feels soft, I think.”
I laughed. “Don’t be nervous. I’m not going to pounce on you or anything.”
“I didn’t think you were.” She pushed her hair out of her eyes and it was there that I caught the tears.
Going to my knees, I took her hands within mine. “Don’t cry. Please don’t cry.”
“I’m not.”
I reach up, swiping the non-tears.
She brushed her face. “I won’t cry. I refuse to cry.”
“Talk to me.”
She pressed her lips together and shook her head. “No, I can’t.”
“Talk to me, Emily.” I wasn’t going to give up.
“I’m just, I’m so angry.” She pulled her hands from mine and covered her face. “I hate him so much and he can go around and do whatever the hell he wants. It’s not fair. I want him to suffer. To feel pain. To know what it’s like to be afraid.” Her hands clenched into fists.
“I’m here for you.”
She dropped her hands away from her face. “You’ve been so good to me. All of you.”
“We’re not good people.”
“I know that as well.”
“But … we all love you, Emily.”
“Vadik, please.”
“No,” I said. I wasn’t going to tell her that I loved her. Caleb and Gael had admitted they’d told her. I wasn’t going to follow in their footsteps as I didn’t think it was right, but now, with everything hanging over our head, there was no choice. She didn’t know we were against the clock. Our time together was coming to an end, and I couldn’t stand it. “I love you, Emily. I’ve loved you for a long time. Even with your silly drawings, and your need to constantly have your back against a wall. How cold you are. I love it all. I’m getting to know you and rather than find fault, I see a beautiful, desirable woman. Someone I want more than anything. You’re all I could want.”
“Vadik?”
I kissed her, knowing she would own my heart for the rest of my life, and I’d gladly give her everything.
****
Emily
My bedroom window overlooked the main drive.
I’d gotten away with spending the night with Vadik as my father hadn’t returned home. He hadn’t come home for three days, and I took full advantage by being with the four Monsters. The only time I felt alive was when I was with them.