Chapter 30
Iparked on the street in front of the Taylor’s house, texted Emily from my SUV, and waited.
She didn’t text back, but I saw the door swing open, so I got out of my car and started up the driveway.
It was Chris, not Emily, and he was closing the distance fast as he marched towards me. I stopped in the middle of the driveway, put my hand out to signal to Dean to stay put, and waited.
Chris’s body language, and the look of murderous rage in his eyes, made it clear I was about to get punched.
“You asshole!” He pulled his right arm back, closing his fist. I could have easily blocked his punch, but I braced myself for the hit instead. I deserve it.
I rubbed my jaw as he stepped back, shaking his hand in pain. “I’m paying you to protect my sister, not to kiss her.”
I growled. “Watch it.” I’d let him punch me for being a stupid idiot as much as he wanted, but I wouldn’t let him insult Emily. “You don’t know what happened.”
“What I do know is that when I came to pick up my daughter after a lovely evening with my wife, I found my baby sister crying.” He poked me in the chest. “Because of you.” He stepped back and crossed his arms over his chest. “You need to leave. Now.”
“Please, give me two minutes to explain.” I repeated, “Please.”
After glaring at me through squinted eyes for what felt like an eternity, he barked, “Two minutes.”
“We were kissing,” I ignored the fury in his eyes, “and I realized I was out of line. Emily deserves better-”
“Damn straight she does.”
That stung, but I ignored it and continued, “I’d asked her out on a date earlier, and she said yes. We were going to talk to you first, I swear.” I paused and took a deep breath. “But then I kissed her,” technically she’d kissed me, and it was crazy sexy, but I didn’t think he’d want to hear that. “And when I realized how inappropriate it was, I said: Fuck, this is a mistake.” I ran my hand through my hair. “Except I didn’t mean kissing her, or dating her, I meant the circumstances.”
Chris’s expression had slowly changed from murderous to miffed as I explained.
This wasn’t how I’d wanted to have this conversation with him, but I didn’t have much of a choice, so I confessed.
“I like her Chris. She’s the first woman I’ve considered dating since Isabelle.” It wasn’t an exaggeration, I hadn’t even looked twice at a woman. And he knew it. “I didn’t plan on this. Hell, the last thing I expected when I took this job was to be attracted to her. But I am. She’s an amazing woman, but you know that,” he nodded, “and if she’s willing to listen to me, I’d like to apologize and beg her to forgive me.” I paused, giving him a moment to process it all. His face relaxed into a slightly less miffed expression, so I pushed forward. “I’d like to take her out, do things the right way. With your permission, of course, but first I have to apologize.’
I held my breath while I waited out the awkward silence as Chris took forever and a day to make up his mind. Despite having known him most of my life, I wasn’t sure what he’d decide.
After a few more seconds, he said, “You need to fix this. And if you ever make my baby sister cry again, I’ll kill you.”
“Noted.” I held out my hand and waited for him to shake it.
“I’m only giving you a chance because I know you, and I trust your intentions, despite how pissed off I am right now.”
“Thank you.” That meant a lot. “Listen, I know it’s a big ask, but any chance you can convince her to talk to me tonight?”
Chris shook his head in disbelief, then said, “I’ll ask, but I won’t force the issue.” His back was to the house so he couldn’t see Ashley staring out the window, turning back towards the room every so often. I assumed she was reporting what she was seeing to Emily and the smile on her face gave me hope.
“Wait here.”
I nodded, folded my hands in front of my waist, and mentally prepared myself for a long wait. After a few minutes, Chris opened the door and waved me in.
The first thing I noticed when I stepped inside was how badly Emily’s hands were trembling. No way that’s because of me. I might have hurt her, and even pissed her off, but I hadn’t scared her.
Every other thought fled my mind as concern drove me across the room in a few long strides. I got on my knees and took her hands in mine. Ignoring everyone else in the room, asked, “Emily, what happened?”
She shook her head as tears started to well up in her puffy, red-rimmed eyes.
“Emily, please. I’m sorry I hurt you, but I don’t think that’s what this is about.” I wiped away a tear, then gently lifted her chin so she had to meet my eyes.
She sniffled, then glanced at Chris, Vicky, and Ashley before whispering, “Craig texted and called me.”
I ground my teeth and forced myself not to clench my fist around Emily’s delicate hand. It wouldn’t help the situation if I let my anger show.
“What? When?” Chris asked, sounding both shocked and angry.
I looked at Vicky, begging her without words to let me sit next to Emily; thankfully she understood, got up, and stood near Chris. I sat down, put a comforting arm around Emily, and felt her shoulders relax under the weight of my arm. I pulled out my phone and quickly texted Dean to let him know Craig had made phone contact.
Emily answered her brother’s questions while Ashley interjected her support for Emily, and her anger at Asshat Craig.
“Emily, can I see the texts and listen to the voicemails?” I needed to know what he’d said, and gauge if he was an immediate threat. She nodded and handed me her phone with the text app open. It wasn’t hard to see the anger escalating in his texts. When I handed it back to her, so she could pull up the voicemails, she asked if she should play them on speaker.
I said no; not only did she not need to hear them again, but no one else needed to hear them either.
My blood boiled as I listened to the voicemails, and it took every ounce of training I’d ever had to keep my face neutral and my hands relaxed. I wanted to kill the bastard for threatening Emily.
After I finished, I thought Emily was probably right, the thump at the end of the last call was more than likely him passing out, but I wasn’t taking any chances.
Without thinking about how it sounded, I said, “Emily, I think you should stay with me tonight.” Emily looked shocked, and Chris grumbled, so I quickly corrected myself. “Not with me, but at the house. You and Ashley can have my room, I’ll sleep on the couch.”
I didn’t like the vacant look in her eyes as she nodded her head, like she didn’t think she had a choice. Because she did. I might not like it, and I’d stay up all night watching the house, but I’d respect her answer. She can’t read your mind.
“Emily, it’s up to you. And I’ll respect your decision.” I said, at the same time Chris asked if it was really necessary.
Emily asked, “What about my parents?”
I answered Emily first. “Dean’s parked outside, he’ll watch out for them.”
I looked at Chris. “I’d feel better if Emily is somewhere Craig doesn’t know about, at least for tonight. We’ll report the restraining order violation first thing tomorrow morning and re-evaluate the situation when we have more information.”
Emily looked at Ashley, “Is it okay?”
“We’ll do whatever you want.” Then she looked at me. “It might be fun to have a slumber party at the hot bodyguard’s house.”
Emily’s laugh was hollow, but I saw her shoulders relax a little more.
I rubbed Emily’s back, comforting her. “Everything’s going to be okay. I won’t let him hurt you.”
Maybe it was overkill to be treating the situation like the threat was imminent, but we didn’t know Craig’s state of mind, or where he was. For all we knew, he was already in, or on his way to, Weatherford and I wasn’t willing to take that risk.
Chris wanted to stay but had to take Vicky and Zoe home, so I reassured him we had everything under control and told him I’d text him when we got back to my place. We shared a surreal moment when he shook my hand, and thanked me.
“What a fucking night.” He said, shaking his head.
I rubbed my jaw. “What a fucking night.” I agreed before hugging Vicky and kissing my goddaughter on the forehead. Making eye contact with Chris, I said, “She’s a lucky girl.” Her dad might not be a warrior by trade, but he’d always be there to provide for and protect her.
“Thanks.”
While I waited for Emily and Ashley to pack their bags, I called Jack to let him know what had happened. Then I called Dean and let him know Emily would be leaving with me, but I needed him to stay and finish his shift.
When Emily and Ashley came down, I messaged Dean to let him know we were on our way out. Before we left, I asked if she’d left a note for her parents so they wouldn’t be worried.
“I did. Thanks.”
Ashley held Emily’s hand, offering what little comfort she could, on the quiet drive back to my place. I could see Emily’s lip trembling as she held back tears.
Fucking bastard!My knuckles turned white as I gripped the steering wheel in a death grip, wishing it was Craig’s neck. I wanted to strangle him for what he’d done, was still doing, to her. Emily’s mine to protect, and I will not fail her.
The smell of freshly brewed coffee greeted us the instant we entered the hall. I put their bags down near my bedroom door, and ushered them into the kitchen.
I wasn’t surprised to see Meg with Jack when we walked into the kitchen. Like Jack, she’d want to help any way she could.
Jack greeted us, then said, “AJ’s on his way.” He looked at Emily, concern written all over his face. “Are you okay?”
She nodded, though it was clearly not true. “I’m sorry you had to get up.”
“No worries, we always stay up late to celebrate the Fourth.” I don’t think I’ve ever loved my brother more than I did in that moment.
“I made some coffee, and boiled water if you’d rather have tea.” Meg acted like making coffee and tea at eleven-thirty was perfectly normal.
“Thank you.”
Emily and Ashley sat at the kitchen table with me and Jack. No one spoke as Meg brought over coffee, hot water and tea bags, some snacks, and tissues. “I’ll be in the office if you need me.”
“You’re not staying?” Emily sounded like a scared child, and it broke my heart.
“I can if you’d like.”
“I would.” She looked down at her hands. “Please.”
“Of course.” Meg said as she sat next to Jack.
As Emily told Jack what had happened, I watched her body language. Craig was a potential threat, but I needed to know if she believed he was an immediate one. She’d tell me more non-verbally than she might realize.
When Jack asked her if it’d be okay if he read the texts and listened to the voicemails, she unlocked her phone and handed it to him.
Based on Emily’s body language as Jack listened to the messages, she fully expected Craig to make good on his threats, if not tonight, soon. Jack and I made eye contact and without words agreed a shadow wasn’t enough anymore—Emily would have a bodyguard for the foreseeable future.
“Emily, if you’re okay with it, I’d like Doug to copy the texts and voicemails from your phone for our records. It’ll also allow us to provide a copy to the police when we report Craig in the morning.” I hated the look of terror that flashed across her face. “This is the second time he”s violated the restraining order, and we can’t let it slide, especially since he’s threatening you.”
Emily nodded her consent and understanding.
“Meg, can you email Doug and ask him to come in tomorrow morning?”
Jack looked down at his phone and stood up. “AJ’s here.”
Jack stayed with the girls while I filled AJ in on the details. He didn’t hesitate to volunteer his services. “Any time I’m not on the clock, that is.”
I slapped him on the back. “Thanks man. I appreciate it.”
“Anything for family.” It felt good knowing he had my back, and Emily’s. Not that I ever doubted it, but it never hurt to be reminded when shit went south. “So what’s the game plan beyond hunkering down at Chez Sheppard for the night?”
We sat down and talked strategy for about an hour before the girls started nodding off.
I quickly changed the sheets on my bed while Emily and Ashley used my ensuite bath to change. I made sure they had everything they needed before returning to the kitchen.
Meg had started a list of things we needed to do, and we added to it as the night went on. We did what we could by email, including letting everyone know we’d upgraded Emily’s detail to full-time bodyguard and asking who wanted extra hours since we’d still be covering the Taylor’s home. Luckily, Emily worked from home, so it wouldn’t be difficult to provide the extra coverage. When I said as much, Jack was quick to say, “Like you won’t be volunteering for bodyguard duty twenty-four-seven.” I wanted to argue, but what was the point, he was right. I’d be taking as many shifts as I could.
Before retiring, fully dressed, to the recliner, I emailed the SSI team with a detailed update of the situation, and the new game plan.