Chapter 43

Eric.

I was waiting for Emily when she arrived back. Her bright outfit had a large brown stain on it and I could smell the bitterness of the coffee as soon as the door opened.

My eyebrows drew together in concern, and my frown deepened as I noticed Emily wouldn't meet my eye. She looked one word away from tears, and yet still so strong as it's she would never let herself cry.

“What happened?” I asked, looking between the three of them.

“Nothing,” Emily murmured.

“That's bull,” I replied, stopping her. “Anyone with working eyes would know something happened. Tell me.”

“It's not a big deal,” she said, trying to shrug my hand off her shoulder and push past me.

“Emily.”

She looked up, her eyes staring into mine, telling me to let it go. But I couldn't. This is just what I had been hoping to avoid by going with her all the time. I knew I shouldn't have let her go without me.

I shook my head. “This is exactly what I thought would happen.”

I paused. I knew she wouldn't like what I was about to say next. “That's it. From now on, you don't leave this house unless it's with me. But because I can't always be there, I'm pausing all your tasks as my assistant so you'll have no reason to leave. Until this is resolved, you are to remain here where I know you can be safe.”

Her mouth fell to the ground. But then her eyebrows came together, slanting down in anger. “That is completely unfair! It's just a bit of coffee!”

“And the rudeness,” Lily chimed in quietly.

“Not to mention the douche that spit in your food and tried to fight me,” Raina added.

I shot them each a look. How dare they?

“That proves my point,” I said, and she whipped back around to face me.

“I was an outcast in my own Pack before you brought me here. I can handle it.”

“This is different. This will only be the beginning. The more opportunities they have, the more it'll escalate. I'm worried enough as it is having you go about the city with a target on your back for Dylon's men. I don't want to add my own Pack to that.”

“I'm stronger than you think, Eric,” she answered, crossing her arms. “I can handle some bullying.”

“I've made up my mind. You are to not leave. That is final.” My voice raised a bit out of frustration and a little out of concern.

A small tear slid out of the corner of Emily's eye and ran down her cheek. She quickly brushed it away and blinked back the rest angrily.

“Fine,” she said, her voice shaky and full of anger. She stomped off to her room with Lily and Raina in tow.

But I stopped Lily. “I need you to tell me everything that happened.”

I looked over at Raina. “Don't let her leave.”

She nodded and continued up the steps behind Emily.

***

Emily.

I stamped my feet up the stairs and down the hallway, all the way to my room. I slammed the door, but instead of the resounding boom of the door hitting the frame, I heard a dull thud. I let out an exasperated sigh, throwing up my hands, as I saw Raina in the doorway, blocking the door from slamming shut.

“Go away!” I shouted. “Can't you see I want to be alone?”

My voice cracked at the end and tears sprung to my eyes. But I refused to let them fall. I angrily blinked them away.

“Can't let you do that,” Raina said, shutting the door softly and leaning against it.

“Is he so daft now he thinks I'll climb through the window on the second floor just to escape?” I rolled my eyes and turned away from her, flopping on my bed.

“Wouldn't you?”

I glared at her, but then moved my eyes to my window. The sky was clear and the day was bright. I rolled to the other side of my bed, got up, and walked to the window, looking down. It really wasn't that far. I would heal if anything went wrong.

“Whatever you're thinking, stop,” Raina said, but didn't bother moving from the door. “There are better ways, and you have plenty of time to think things out. Besides, being locked up here isn't the worst. At least you have Lily and I and all the movies or books you could ask for.” She finished with a shrug.

I looked back at her. I hadn't expected a response like that. It almost sounded as if she wanted me to run away. But she clearly wanted me to do it right. But that was nonsense. She worked for Eric. I paused. But didn't that also mean she worked for me? I studied her a little more carefully. She had become a loyal friend. She wasn't nearly as outgoing and bubbly as Lily, and somehow that had made her all the better of a friend.

*Would she help me escape if I asked?*

“What?” She asked, breaking my train of thought.

I realized I was still staring at her.

“Nothing. Sorry. Just lost in thought.” I shook my head and moved away from the window, sitting back down on my bed. If I was going to run away, I was going to need to be patient - find the most opportune time. Think it out. Talk it out.

For now, I would play along and stay where Eric wanted. But I couldn't let this go on much longer. The sooner I left, the better off he and his pack would be. And I would no longer be a burden to him. He wouldn't have anything more to worry about.

***

Daniel.

A few days later, keys jangled in the lock of my cell. I lifted my head to see why. Eric himself stood right outside the bars. I gulped. *This can't be good.* Slowly, I sat up.

“You're free to go, Mr. West,” the guard with the keys stated.

*What?*

I hesitated, halfway pushed off my bench. *Free?*

When I didn't move, Eric spoke, “Unless you want to stay here.”

I shook my head. I definitely didn't want that. I walked out. No one stopped me.

“I feel I should apologize,” Eric said, completely surprising me. “I shouldn't have automatically assumed you were the mole. Even if I didn't trust you, I should have trusted Emily, and I didn't. For that, I'm sorry.”

“I don't blame you,” I said, surprising even myself. “I probably would have done the same thing.”

*Where were these words coming from?* I wanted to hate this man for locking me up, but I could only empathize.

He nodded. “Shall we?” He asked, gesturing with his hand toward the exit.

I smiled and nodded, following him out of the prison doors and into the shining daylight. He ushered me into the car, and then climbed in on the other side.

“I guess that means you caught the other guy?” I asked as he shut his door.

He shook his head.

“Then why let me go?”

“The internal attacks didn't stop. It couldn't have been you “

“Oh.”

“Anything I can do to help?”

“Doubtful. But let's get you cleaned up and fed. You smell like piss.”

I laughed and he chuckled. Perhaps things wouldn't be so strained between us all after all.