Chapter 3
CHAPTER 3
FORD
“That’s it, Tink! You’re doing great.”
I clap my hands together encouragingly before urging my newly saddle-broken stallion, Marshal, in the direction of Emmy and the handful of steers she’s attempting to herd toward the waiting trailer.
My eyes don’t stray from her petite form as she guides her palomino, Tessa, using her knees, and a small, self-satisfied smile tips my lips upwards. In the seven summers she’s spent at Broken Hart, seventeen-year-old Emerson Hart has come a long way from the city kid who didn’t even know the difference between trotting and cantering.
By the time I’ve crossed the yard, she’s encouraging the last steer up the ramp, turning to face me with a delighted grin when all livestock are safely onboard.
“I did it. I freaking did it.”
Emmy slides off Tessa, gathering the reins to lead her mount back toward me as one of her grandpa’s cowhands closes up the trailer. Her face shines with elation as she looks up at me.
Those big blue eyes of hers, fringed with jet-black lashes, flicker between mine, and I tip my head to one side as my brows draw together.
With her slightly upturned nose, high cheekbones, and a smile that lights her up from within, it’s clear to see why this girl is so fucking magnetic. I’ve known her for seven years, but it’s like I’ve never truly seen her until right now, at this moment.
My chest tightens painfully, and I inhale through my nostrils, desperate to fill my suddenly oxygen-deprived lungs, as one thing becomes alarmingly apparent.
She’s so beautiful it hurts.
When the fuck did that happen, and why the hell am I noticing it now?
The question is on the tip of my tongue even as my brain tamps down on the words, but Emerson speaks again before I do, rapidly putting an end to my off-limits train of thought.
“Wait until I tell Easton.”
And just like that, the mention of her older brother—one of my closest friends, no less—has me clearing my throat as I look away to dismount.
I slam my eyes closed, grateful to have put Marshal between us to allow me to recenter myself, but behind my lids, all I can see are ocean-blue eyes and silky blonde hair. Creamy soft skin and pink pillowy lips that beg to be kissed…
My teeth grind together as self-disgust rises in the depths of my chest, and a cold sweat dots my brow at the direction my stupid brain has taken.
What the fuck is wrong with you, Holloway?
I blow out a slow breath and open my eyes, watching without really seeing as my hands reach for Marshal’s saddle.
“That Doubting Thomas won’t believe it till he sees it, Tink.” I strive for flippant, but it comes out choked, even to my own ears.
Blessedly, Emmy doesn’t notice as she slips around the front of Marshal. I can see her wry smile in my peripheral vision, but focus on adjusting stirrups that don’t need any adjusting, fidgety in my need to forget the stupid thoughts refusing to leave me.
“You’ll just have to help me recreate the magic then, Cowboy.”
I simply nod, fixated on the stirrups before me and the uptick of my heartbeat as I dimly realize I need to leave. Pronto.
Without warning, I twist about, extending my arm to take Tessa’s reins, intent on stabling Emerson’s palomino so I can get the fuck out of Dodge. But as I reach out, she steps closer, and my body goes stock still when my hand misses my intended destination, instead slipping around her slim waist.
Her eyes blow wide, and her cheeks pinken as she inhales a sharp breath. My eyes drop to her lips when she tugs the bottom one between her white teeth. After a beat, she lets it go with a soft pop before running the tip of her tongue across the abused skin.
The action sends visions of taking her mouth with mine dancing through my mind, making my dick thicken behind my already tight jeans.
Our breaths intermingle, and despite knowing I should step back—I’m four years older, supposedly wiser, and she’s for-fucking-bidden fruit—my feet don’t move. My hands don’t either. I’m physically incapable of tearing myself away.
Instead, I stand mutely, inhaling the delicate fragrance surrounding her. An almost woodsy mixture of jasmine and roses makes goosebumps ripple across the exposed skin of my forearms.
Without conscious thought, the hand resting on the gentle curve of her back flexes, bunching the soft material of her shirt within my fist. My free palm itches with the almost overwhelming longing to reach out and touch her.
Emmy is the one to suspend the stillness when she haltingly brings her right hand up between us, placing it palm down against my chest. The simple action sends a shudder clear through me as she blinks, leaning closer in silent invitation.
My heart thunders against my chest, the sound filling my ears as I begin to close the gap, throwing myself head-first into the madness that has taken hold. Uncaring about the fallout, my palm slides around the nape of her neck, and a sense of rightness envelops me like never before.
I feel as though we’re on the brink of something monumental when my lips are a mere fraction away from Emmy’s, until a door slamming makes both of us freeze.
“What’s going on, shit brick?”
Easton’s deep voice shatters the illusion surrounding us, and we both jolt back to reality with a bang. Our hands fall away from one another as we each take a step back.
Emmy’s eyes are wide as saucers when she brings her fingers to her bottom lip, dusting them across the flesh I so desperately want to kiss but can’t.
What are you doing, idiot?
As I clench my jaw in frustration, Emmy’s eyes flick between mine, a small frown marring the perfect skin of her brow as though she, too, can’t make sense of what just happened – or almost happened.
She swallows visibly before rounding the front of Marshal once more, but this time, her smile doesn’t quite reach her eyes. “Hey, East! We were just talking about you ? —”
The sound of my cell ringing pierces the silence of my office, roughly pulling me from my musings, and I swear aloud as I reach for the damn thing, swiping to answer without checking the caller.
“Hello?”
“Hey, Boss Man. Just checking in with an update.”
I sit forward at the sound of Damon’s voice, impatient for him to continue. “Spit it out, then.”
My words are far more harsh than necessary, but even so, Damon takes it on the chin.
Of all my employees, Damon is probably the one I relate to most. We’re both solitary creatures, preferring to keep to ourselves, and focusing on the job with a single-mindedness like no other.
When I’d realized who Alex wanted Sentinel to protect, I’d known Damon was the perfect choice. The fact he’s gay was also a big plus…
“No signs of tampering at either the studio or Miss Hart’s temporary residence. I’ve checked all security footage, and while there’s lots of coming and going, especially within the studio, I’ve not found one single red flag to indicate anything other than fans taking it a little too far.”
“Breaking and entering is more than a little too far, Damon.” My teeth are gritted so hard I think I might chip several. “This job is…”
I trail off, unsure of what to say and unwilling to disclose the personal nature of my interest, so instead, I start again.
“I’ll need bi-hourly updates round the clock. If so much as a flea farts within a hair’s breadth of Miss Hart, I want to know about it. You got me?”
Damon concurs amicably despite my overly harsh tone, and as I end the call, I feel like the world’s biggest dick. My momma would rip me a new one if she heard me speak to another living soul with such ignorance.
Even so, I know that my anger is directed at myself.
At my own damn ineptitude.
Because until Vaughn opened his mouth, I had no motherfucking clue that anything was amiss with Emmy, despite everything I’ve done over the years to ensure her happiness and her safety from afar.
Watching her spread her wings and become what she’d always dreamed of eased the stinging loss to an extent, making the fact that I couldn’t be by her side a little less unbearable.
While Emerson had been a full-time theater actress, remaining at Rogue had served my purpose, but once she made the transition to the big screen, I’d had no choice but to go bigger. Founding Sentinel had purely been because I needed a valid company in order to acquire security contracts for events like movie premieres and red carpet galas.
Sure, it’s made me a very wealthy man, but it’s never been about the money.
These past three years, Sentinel has covered security for almost every event Emerson Hart has been invited to—and for the contracts I don’t win, I ensure I’m in attendance in some capacity.
Catering staff. Valet. Backstage runner.
To guarantee Emmy’s well-being from a distance, there’s not a damn thing I wouldn’t do.
Even if it’s a physical agony to be so close and yet so far.
With a low sigh, I open the laptop on my desk and set to work, double-checking the security footage that Damon has sent over, knowing I won’t rest until my own eyes have guaranteed her safety.
Once I’ve combed through all the footage, I quickly shut everything down for the night and make my way from the building to my waiting black SUV.
As I pull out into late evening traffic, the speakers come on, and immediately The Goo Goo Dolls’ “Iris” fills the car. The familiar lyrics speak to my weary soul, transporting me back to happier times as I make my way across town, coming to a stop directly opposite Ataraxia, the luxury hotel that is Emerson’s temporary residence.
I’m about to settle in for the night, when my cell chimes with a text.
FAITH
Quick question…If I apply for an internship in New York, can I stay with you until I find my feet?
ME
I guess so. My guest bedroom is yours, Pest.
The dots instantly blink as she types, and my lips twitch with a smirk, thinking of how strange and simultaneously wonderful it will be to have family nearby once again.
Faith is probably my closest sister, and from the moment I left Texas, she’s had dreams of moving here. Upon the handful of times she’s visited, she’s loved the city, so interning in New York is absolutely the right call.
Not to mention, it soothes my anxiety as her big brother to know I’ll be at hand should she need me.
FAITH
Do you think you could put in a good word with Alex DeMarco on my behalf? They’re currently recruiting advertising interns, and I’ve already submitted my resume.
I chuckle to myself at her signature shamelessness before turning down the music and dialing Alex. He answers on the third ring, sounding more than a little out of breath.
“What’s up, Holloway?”
“I need a favor and?—”
He cuts me off with a snort. “If this is concerning your sister’s internship application, don’t bother.”
A frown crosses my brow as I open my mouth to retort, but he beats me to it. “Her resume speaks for itself. The offer to intern at the company will go out along with the others later this week with a start date at the end of summer. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m flying solo with Ana tonight, and she’s teething like a motherfucker.”
The line goes dead, leaving me shaking my head with a grin before shooting a response to my sister.
ME
Alex despises nepotism. You’re on your own.
I’m laughing softly to myself as I open my laptop to check my inbox for a security contract bid for the upcoming ICON Gala, where Emerson is scheduled to appear later this month, when Faith sends back at least twenty middle finger emojis, making me crack up entirely.
Yeah…having family—and in particular my little Pest—close once again is definitely going to have its upsides.