Chapter 89 Part 89
Emerson
He traced the blade of the knife down her cheek. The room was dark, but the desk lamp was on, casting eerie shadows, even though she knew this room well.
The blade traveled lower, down her chest, and one by one, he cut off the buttons off her blouse. Goosebumps broke out over her skin, as the blade traced over her breast. Her hands clenched into fists by her side, but she didn’t move.
His tongue flicked her earlobe, and she shuddered. He chuckled, and the door behind him opened. Her eyes snapped toward the two men dragging in another man.
“This is what happens to people who betray me, Emerson,” he whispered. “Now cover yourself up.”
She pulled her ruined shirt closed, and wrapped her arms around herself. The man was now on his knees, blood pouring from his nose. Grover walked toward him. He straightened his tie and looked at the man.
“You talked to the police.” It wasn’t a question, but the man shook his head in denial. Emerson bit her tongue, wanting to say something, but she knew the moment she did, he’d fix his attention on her. She still had bruises on her ribs from the previous incident.
Grover gave a nod of his head, then the two men started beating him. After what felt like forever, his screams stopped, and Emerson looked into his lifeless eyes.
“Dump his body in a parking lot. I’ll have a little bonus for the Black brothers waiting,” Grover said. The first man grinned and they dragged the dead man out of his office.
“Grant! Get someone to clean up this mess!” He turned back toward her, and his hand encircled her throat. “You’d never betray me, would you, Emerson?”
She gasped for breath, as her eyes snapped open, and she sat up straight, the sheets beneath her soaked with her own sweat. A dark figure moved in the doorway, and she screamed.
“It’s me,” Asher said, and wrapped an arm around her. Her cheek touched the naked skin of his chest and she clung to him.
“I’m sorry,” she said, after a while.
“It’s fine. I understand nightmares. You’re fine, Emma,” he said, soothingly.
She nodded her head, and when she lifted it, she looked into his eyes. They seemed to stare at each other for the longest time. His eyes held concern, but she also felt immensely safe at that moment. She hadn’t screamed the first time. She’d gasped and he’d heard her. She leaned slightly forward but Asher cleared his throat and looked away. Reality set in, and Emerson felt embarrassed.
“I’m fine now, thank you, Asher,” she said, and shifted away from him.
“I can stay until you fall asleep again.”
“No!” she said hastily. “You need your rest, too.”
“You’re safe here,” Asher said, and walked out of her room.
She lay back on the bed and groaned. She’d been about to kiss him! It had to be from relief or something. It was the only explanation. She wasn’t attracted to him, and he wasn’t attracted to her. He was bossy, moody, and very serious.
She was only here until Grover was in custody again. It had barely been 24 hours, and she was already throwing herself at the man. She rolled her eyes at herself. She’d always had a big personality, because she knew she wasn’t beautiful, with makeup she was passable, but she wasn’t blind. Asher was a handsome man, more than that, he had the whole package with his good manners, his grey eyes, and the way that cowboy hat completed everything. No wonder Lorelei wanted him back. She wasn’t even close to being his type, which was clearly tall, blonde, and curvy.
Emerson woke up with a start when the screened door slammed shut. She looked at her watch and her eyes widened. It was nearly 9 a.m. She peered out of the window and saw that the sky was dark grey. It smelled like rain, and she smiled.
She showered and dressed quickly, running a brush through her hair. She headed downstairs and saw a cup in the front of the kettle. There was a sticky note on the microwave with her name on. He’d left her a plate of food, and she smiled again. So much for the grumpy man telling her to feed herself.
On the kitchen table was a new phone with another sticky note from Asher.
‘My number’s already programmed. Call me when you’re ready, and I’ll take you over to see Eden.’
She ate her food and drank her coffee. After she’d washed her dishes, she called Asher.
“Emma,” he answered, and she smiled.
“Ready whenever you are, cowboy.”
He chuckled, and her smile grew. He had the nicest laugh. “I’m in the shed so I’ll be there in about a minute.”
“Okay.” She ended the call because the previous night flashed in her mind. She closed her eyes, then she heard his footsteps, and the kitchen door opened.
“I’ll take you over in the truck, it’s about a mile and a half’s walk,” he said.
“We can walk if you prefer,” she said.
“Your boots haven't been walked in yet, you’ll get blisters.”
She looked down at her shoes, and nodded her head. “You’re right.”
The main barn near the house had a few offices connected to it through a short hallway. Asher showed her around the barn and left her in front of Eden’s office. She stuck her head inside, and smiled. Eden was on the phone, but a smile broke out on her face, as well, and when she held up one finger, Emerson nodded, heading back into the main part of the barn.
She stood in front of a stall, and looked at the horse inside. He had no name on the door, but he stepped forward, and she started rubbing her hand up and down in the space between his eyes.
She was so lost in her thoughts that she didn’t hear him walking right up to her. Her whole body froze as his arm landed around her shoulders, and he whispered in her ear. “Hello, Emerson.”