26. Sterling
CHAPTER 26
Sterling
I had been expecting a no and more assurances after that question, but Emilia pulls away to offer me a sheepish look.
“Just one,” she states.
My eyes narrow, and she sighs.
“I think my stepfather’s found me.”
I frown, my eyebrows rising. “You have a stepfather?”
I know she’s barely told me anything about her past, I just didn’t expect that she kept something so big. The expression on her face tells me she’s about to reveal something huge, so I steel myself as she speaks.
“He got married to my mom when I was a little girl. Sterling, he’s-he’s dangerous. I’ve never told anyone this because I’ve been too scared, but he’s the one that killed my mother. And before that, he tried to kill me so many times. I ran away because of him, because I was terrified he’d come after me.”
My fists clench. “Does he know where you are?”
“I don’t know. But I’ve been getting these strange calls. Anytime I pick up, there’s no reply on the other end, just eerie silence. It’s scary and the only person who could possibly be trying to mess with me like that is him. The man’s a sociopath.”
“Why didn’t you go to the police all those years ago if he killed your mother?”
“I did. They didn’t believe me. They all thought it was an overdose. My mom was a drug addict, but she was always careful. He fed her those pills—I watched him do it. Watched until she took her last breath, and then I ran.”
I exhale softly, my chest aching at the thought of what she might have experienced living with a man like that.
“What’s his name?”
“Lucas,” she breathes. “Lucas Rojas.”
“Alright. I’m going to take care of this,” I tell her. She looks a little freaked out, so I crouch down, taking her hand in mine. “Look at me, angel. I’m not going to let anyone hurt you. Or our daughter. I’m going to protect you. He’s never going to come anywhere near you, I promise.”
“Thank you,” she breathes.
We leave the garden soon after, heading into the house where our families are gathered. Emilia’s hand is in mine so she’s able to hold me back, her grip growing tighter.
“Do you think your parents are going to be upset with me?” she asks.
I look at her, brushing a strand of hair from her forehead. “I think they’re going to be happy, actually. We’ve added another blessing to our family. I’m sure they’re glad.”
“Even your mom?” she asks nervously.
I laugh. “My mom’s not an evil witch, Emilia. Or at least I don’t think she is.”
“It’s not funny.”
“She’ll like you, come on.”
Emilia has nothing to worry about, of course. When we enter the living room, we find our families enjoying each other’s company. The mood in the room is light, happy in fact. My father approaches us first. He’s holding Stella in his arms.
“She looks so much like you, Ster,” he says happily. “Look at her eyes.”
“I know.” I grin.
Then he turns to Emilia. “Thank you, sweetheart. I can’t say I’m not a little upset that you didn’t come to us, but I already gave your dad hell in your place so it’s fine.”
She smiles, but it dims a little as my mother approaches.
“Emilia,” she says lowly.
“Mrs. Harrington. How have you been?”
“I’ve been quite well, thank you. I’m even better now thanks to the good news you’ve brought.”
Emilia and I exchange a quick look. And then she’s smiling widely.
“I’m sorry I kept your granddaughter away from you.”
“It’s alright, sweetheart. She’s here now. Also, not to sound old-fashioned or anything, but when do the two of you plan to get married?”
I notice Emilia’s eyes growing wide. I open my mouth to reply to her, but Spencer beats me to it, walking into the room with Carson in tow. Those two have grown suspiciously close in the past three days.
“Mother, you can’t say ‘not to sound old fashioned’ and then follow up with the most old-fashioned statement ever,” he points out.
I chuckle. “He’s right. We’re going to take things slow, Mom. But I have no doubt that we’ll get there.”
When I glance at Emilia, there’s not an ounce of disapproval on her face. Only a content, happy smile I’m hoping I get to keep on her face for the rest of her life.
“What are you thinking?” I ask Carson later that day.
We’re seated at the bar, having a long overdue conversation.
“I’m contemplating punching you in the face,” he replies to no surprise at all.
“Want me to stand in place? Let you get in a really good shot?” I ask.
He makes a face. “I don’t need you to stand in place before I can punch you, dickhead.”
“You sure?” I say teasingly.
“Shut up,” he mutters. “This shit isn’t funny.”
I sigh. “I know it’s not. And I’m sorry. I did exactly what you said I’d do. I hurt her.”
He glances at me. “She hurt you, too. I guess that’s what relationships are all about, huh? People hurting each other?”
“Maybe,” I agree. “But I’m going to actively work toward never hurting Emilia again. She’s it for me, Carson. I want to start a family with her.”
“That’s good, Ster. I’m happy for you both. And I wish you all the happiness. I don’t know if you’ve heard, but I was a pretty big advocate when it came to her telling you the truth.”
“I’ve heard,” I say drily.
“Remember that when you ever want to question our friendship.”
“That’ll never happen,” I assure my best friend.
I’m grateful I have him in my life. I’m grateful our friendship led me to the woman of my dreams. But who knows, maybe Emilia and I would have found each other regardless.
“I actually wanted to talk to you about something else,” I tell Carson.
“What?”
“Has Emilia ever told you about her stepfather?”
He frowns. “Yeah, she’s briefly mentioned the deadbeat our mother got married to. Why?”
A part of me wishes she’d told them the whole truth. But I think she was scared, either that they wouldn’t believe her or that they’d put themselves in danger looking for him.
Still, I’m sure she’ll tell them about him eventually. My job is to make sure that bastard ends up behind bars or dead, with no particular preference.
“He’s dangerous,” I tell Carson. “And Emilia thinks he might be stalking her. She’s worried.”
“Why does she think that?”
“She said she’s been getting strange calls for a couple of months.”
“She should have told me,” he mutters. “I would have taken care of it.”
“We can take care of it now,” I state. “I don’t know why, but my gut’s telling me that he’s close. He’s hanging around, biding his time until he can hurt her. But I’m not planning on letting that happen. You’ve got contacts with the cops right? I want to start a search. I’ll hire some independent muscle as well. If he’s lurking around, he won’t be far. I’m sure we’ll find him soon.”
I’m not really worried. Men like Lucas Rojas are cowards who get off on preying on people weaker than them. I’ll smoke him out eventually, and then I’m going to make him pay.
Carson nods in agreement. “Yeah, I’ll get on it. He won’t be able to hide for long.”
Later that night, Emilia and I are lying on my bed, gazing at each other. We put Stella to sleep a couple of minutes ago. Emilia had to physically drag me away from her crib because I couldn’t stop staring at her and how perfect she is. Now, it’s Emilia’s turn.
“You’re going to burn a hole in my face,” she mutters.
“I just can’t believe you’re here. Or that you’re real,” I tell her.
She bites down on her bottom lip. “I’m real, Sterling. And I’m not going anywhere, I promise.”
I shift to pull her closer, relishing in her warmth.
“So what’s the plan now? Have you ever considered moving to New York?”
She giggles. “I’ll have to think about that. I’ve never lived in a big city before. There’s a chance I’ll hate it.”
“Or you might love it.”
“Maybe. I guess we’ll have to see.”
Relief washes through me. “So you’ll do it?”
“I didn’t say that, Sterling. I said I’d think about it.”
As far as I’m concerned, that’s a yes. I grin, titling her head up to place a soft kiss against her lips. When I pull back and our eyes meet, I feel a bone-deep certainty that this is where I was always meant to be. I open my mouth to say the words, but Emilia talks first.
She sits up to pull the pendant around her neck out. I’ve noticed that she wears it at times. I know it’s special to her. The word ‘survive’ written on it makes that pretty clear.
She exhales a deep breath before starting to speak. “I spent the better part of my life living in fear. My stepfather made my life hell and my mother enabled it. She was so blind to his faults and it made me so angry that she let me continue to live with a man like that. After she died and I ran away, I bought this pendant on a whim. It says ‘survive’ because that’s what I’ve always had to do. My mother died and I could have died too, but I survived. I think I survived because I was always meant to find my way to you, Sterling. You complete me in ways I didn’t think were possible. You make me feel less scared. You make me feel safe, and I love you so much for it.”
I gaze at her, wondering what the hell I did to get so lucky.
“I love you too, Emilia. So much. I’ve been wanting to tell you that for a while now. I just didn’t want to scare you off.”
She scoffs. “Tough luck, then. Because you’re stuck with me now. For life.”
I grin. “Wouldn’t have it any other way, gorgeous.”