The Boy Who Has No Hope (Soulless 6)

I couldn’t believe my daughter was developing a crush on my boss. The same thing had happened to me until I shook myself out of it…for the most part. “How was your day, sweetheart?”

She shrugged. “Soccer practice was good. Dina got detention for passing notes in class.”

“Well, she shouldn’t pass notes in class.”

“She was passing it to me, but I didn’t get caught.”

“I hope you learned the lesson, all the same.”

“We were talking about Bradley, so we weren’t even saying anything bad.”

“Doesn’t matter. You’re in class to learn, not gossip.”

She rolled her eyes. “You sound like my teacher.”

“Did you roll your eyes at me?”

She sighed. “Sorry… Now, you really sound like my teacher.”

“I’m supposed to.” Lizzie and I went to the movies and spent time together, and I knew when she was old enough, we would be friends. But right now, my job was to discipline her, to annoy her with my rules, and to mold her into a good person who understood how to treat others with respect. “And you’ll thank me for it one day.”FiveEmersonI stepped into the lab, seeing Derek sitting on one of the stools and working on his device. He seemed to be programming something into the simulator so it would then be programmed into the piece of machinery that he was developing. The guys worked in the background at another table, looking over their notes like they were occupied with a different component.

I approached Derek’s table and rested my arms on the surface, waiting for him to finish his thought before I spoke to him.

He completed whatever he was doing, taking a couple minutes before he stopped working on his device and looked at me, giving me his full attention. His behavior toward me was completely different than it used to be, even if it was subtle to most people. Now, he always looked me in the eye when he spoke to me, giving me respect that he gave few others.

“We need to leave a little earlier today, if that’s okay.”

He gave me a blank look, like he didn’t understand my statement.

“We have an appointment with Dr. Collins.”

His expression slowly changed, morphing from soft and approachable to furiously hostile. And it all happened in less than a few seconds. He set down his device and turned away, holding his silence like he was trying to compose himself instead of lashing out.

I’d expected this reaction, so I wasn’t surprised. It reminded me of when I forced Lizzie to do something she didn’t want to do, and she threw a tantrum to get her way.

When he spoke, his voice was controlled, like he was exerting all his strength to remain calm. “Working hours are for work. I have a lot of stuff to do—”

“Your health is your priority—physical and mental. The office closes at five, so it needs to happen during business hours. I’ve asked him to come to your penthouse to make you more comfortable. It may feel like a big sacrifice, but it’ll be worth it in the end.”

“Maybe there is no end. Maybe I’ll never get better.”

“You won’t with that attitude.”

He continued to stare at the table.

“This is happening regardless of how you feel about it. So, you may as well embrace it instead of fight it. You told me you would try—so let’s try.”

He glanced at the guys across the room before he rose to his feet. He grabbed his things, put them in his satchel, and then headed to the front door.

I watched him go, reading his annoyance in his body language, the way he carried himself like he was being forced with a gun to his back. But at least he was going…and that was because of me.Derek sat on the couch in the living room, his cheek propped against his closed knuckles, his eyes staring at nothing in particular. Invisible clouds hung over his body, and the bad energy of his presence only intensified as time passed.

A knock sounded on the door.

Derek had no reaction.

I opened it and greeted Dr. Collins. “Thank you for coming.” I shook his hand and welcomed him inside.

“You must be Emerson.” He had a leather folder with him, which was closed and tucked under his arm. He took a quick look around then turned to Derek on the couch. “Lovely home.” He approached the couch.

Derek sat there for a while, resisting. But then he rose to his feet and extended his hand. “Thank you.”

Dr. Collins gave him a soft smile. “Dr. Hamilton, it’s great to make your acquaintance. I’ve been looking forward to this discussion.”

Derek forced a nod.

Dr. Collins took a seat on the other couch and prepared himself for the conversation.

I placed a bottle of water on the table for him before I sat beside Derek.

Derek turned to me with angry eyes.

“He signed an NDA.” I knew this man so well that I could read him like a book. “He will not share any of your information with anyone.” I moved my hand to his arm and gave him a gentle rub to calm him, to tuck away all his paranoia so he could be vulnerable.