Emily's Protectors (The Protectors 2)

she adored it. The dark mahogany trunk she had used for a coffee table with a dainty white lace cloth over the top was now in pieces, broken beyond repair, with the cloth ripped and tangled in the mess of wood. Garage sale pictures of nature that she’d found were shattered throughout the room. Candles lay broken on their sides on the floor.

She was heartbroken.

Devastated.

Hearing a crunch behind her, she whipped around, startled. Seeing Dane and Coop, had her relaxing slightly. When they started walking closer, she hadn’t realized she was sobbing so loud until Dane wrapped his arms around her shoulders and neck, pulling her closer to his chest. Feeling Coop’s heat at her back and his hands on her hips had her both relaxing and crying harder.

“Stupid, fucking, douchebag asswipe!” She mumbled against Dane’s chest in between sobs.

“Language, baby girl,” Dane said at the same time Coop swatted her ass making her yelp. He sounded so serious that if his chest hadn’t been shaking she’d have bitten his nipple.

“Don’t laugh at me you big ape. I’m so sick of this crazy jerk-off. I just want this to be over.” She started to whisper closer to the end. Rubbing her face along Dane’s chest and feeling his hard muscles had her body coming alive. Shivering, she peeked up to see that his face was hard. She couldn’t tell if he was pissed off or turned on. Maybe both? She wondered.

Taking a deep breath, she pulled away from them both, scared of the feelings they evoked in her. Scared that if she gives in then either her stalker would take them from her, or they would only want her temporarily. “The police will be here soon, so don’t touch anything yet,” Coop told her as she was about to go get the broom. Sighing in defeat, she went back outside to sit on the steps and wait for the police.

Sitting there looking at all the houses on her quiet street, Emily couldn’t help but wonder what it would be like to have the normalcy her neighbors seemed to have. She knew not every family was perfect; everyone had their flaws, but she wished that for once she could be the one with a loving husband, happy kids, and the cute little dog. She was jealous and enviousness, all at the same time, of the families around her.

One day Emily, one day, I will have that, she thought looking back at Dane and Cooper standing in the doorway watching her. Admiring Cooper’s dark looks, the deep pools of his almost translucent gray eyes; his wide shoulders and strong arms made her want to be held by them. I bet they’d keep me warm at night.

She’d never admit it out loud, but Dane’s height intimidated her. He was nearly two feet taller and having to look so far up at him all that time made her want to stand on a chair just to have a conversation, but he was one of the nicest and sweetest men she’d ever met. His eyes were bluer than the tranquil azure color of the Caribbean. She could get lost in them for days. His dark, silky hair made her want to run her fingers through it and mess it up just to ruffle his feathers a little. He was so stoic and controlled it made her want to do something crazy just to shake him up.

“How old are you guys?” She blurted out without thinking.

Laughing at her out of place question, they both walked over to sit down beside her; Dane on her left and Cooper on her right. They grabbed each of her hands and she swiveled back and forth looking at them. When Dane put his hand on her cheek turning her to look at him, rubbing his thumb on the apple of her cheek, he gave a half smile before leaning in to kiss her softly on the mouth.

Frozen in shock, it took her a moment to respond. Softening against his lips, she melted into a puddle of goo when he licked the seam of her lips before moaning and pulling away, looking at her with lust-filled eyes. “Does it matter?” he asked her.

Clearing her head of her own sensual thoughts she told him, “No, not really. I was just ad—uh wondering.” She stumbled out almost revealing her previous thoughts about admiring their good looks.

A pinch on her ass had her squealing and turning to face Coop, prepared to blast him for it when his lips landed on hers. Immediately, all thoughts fled as he nipped her bottom lip and tangled his tongue with hers. Leaning in to him, she got lost in his kiss until she heard the clearing of a throat.

Pulling away slightly, she was embarrassed to have been caught so unaware by Officer Rivera; the same person who took her statement about the hit and run a few days prior. She could feel the blush creep up her neck and into her face. Feeling the guys each squeeze her hand in support gave her the strength to stand up and face what was coming next.

Watching Emily visibly pull herself together to do what needed doing made Dane incredibly proud of her. He knew she was hurting, but she was stronger than she realized. Standing up and helping her to her feet, he shook the Officer’s hand. “Thanks for coming so quickly, Officer Rivera. It looks like someone broke in through the bedroom window and just left the front door open as they were leaving.”

“You believe it was Ms. Baxter’s stalker, am I right?” she asked in a clipped and formal tone.

“Yes ma’am, we do,” he replied coolly.

“Please wait here while we check things out,” she told them as her and her partner went inside.

Waiting was torture. He was so used to doing everything, being in control, but he could see the toll it was taking on Emily. She had stress lines over her brows, she was biting her bottom lip, and tapping her foot in agitation. Pulling her into his arms he looked over at Coop, who was still sitting on the steps with her hand in his. Seeing the conflict in his eyes, Dane knew he was fighting the same battle.

Burying his head in her neck, he kissed her behind the ear and whispered, “We’ll get him, Em, baby. We won’t let him control you anymore.”

After standing outside a little longer, the officers finally came back out and peppered Emily with questions about where she was overnight, what condition they found the house in, and if they had moved or touched anything. “Emily? Hun, do you think you’re up to doing a walk-through? See if anything’s missing?” Officer Rivera asked quietly putting her hand on her shoulder.

Nodding her head, Emily walked inside and meticulously looked over everything. He could tell when a particular damaged item made her upset because she would let out a sigh and her shoulders would droop.

After going through the whole house, she finally looked at the officers and told them, “No, nothing’s missing, it’s just… broken. Everything’s broken.” Turning away she fled to her room, slamming the door shut behind her.

“Fuck!” Cooper exploded storming his way to the kitchen. Looking back to the officers, Dane thanked them and walked them to the front door.

Looking back, Officer Rivera told him, “We’ll do more frequent patrols in the area for her benefit, but Mr. Johnston, you know the procedure; we can’t do much if there’s no physical evidence left behind by him.” Looking in the direction of Emily’s room she continued, “Keep her safe.” She headed out to the street, climbed into her cruiser and pulled away.

Going back inside he went to the kitchen to speak to Coop, only to find him cleaning up the mess in there. The fierce scowl on his face told Dane more than words ever would. He was pissed, frustrated, and scared for Emily. Hell, he was too. He was pissed this fucker had violated her home again. Scared of what could have happened had she been here instead of at Keeley’s the night before.

They continued to clean until a whispered “thank you” announced her presence. Looking over at her, he could see she’d been crying; her nose was red and eyes were puffy, tear tracks ran down her cheeks, and she was still sniffling a little bit. Her gorgeous blonde locks were a mess that only enhanced her beauty to him. “How you doing, baby girl?” Coop asked walking closer to her.