Chapter 15 #3
“My mother says I’m overcompensating, but because of how my family handled business, we’re all very rich. I feel blessed whereas the stress of keeping one step ahead of our enemies has aged my brothers and had taken so much of the joy from their lives.”
“How many enemies do you have?”
Her hand was shaking when she slipped her fingers through her long hair. She was so much like Jaxon that I was shocked I hadn’t seen the resemblance. “They come and go, but enough that I do understand the danger we’re constantly in. Jaxon believes we have an old enemy rearing their ugly heads.”
“I couldn’t take that.” It felt very much like my cue to let her in on my secret, but doing so meant exposing an aspect of myself that I’d learned to hate.
“You either learn that worrying about your life and what’s going to happen every day will eventually drive you mad, or you can choose to enjoy and live your life the way you want. That’s why I fight my brothers so hard to keep my independence from the business and sometimes from the family.”
“That’s what I’ve always wanted. True independence.” I could tell she was looking at me, waiting for me to finish an open-ended thought. “Did Jaxon tell you that I ran into him yesterday morning? This was before we clashed a block away from Indulgence.”
“He mentioned it in passing.”
“He was about to kill some people.” I lifted my head and this time, she didn’t shy away from my concentrated gaze. Finally, she glanced around us to ensure no one was paying attention.
“If anyone was hurt, there was a good reason for it. I know this sounds ridiculous to you, but there are some truly evil people out there who have no thought about destroying lives or killing others. That’s not my family. We respond to threats and then act accordingly.”
“I get it. I really do.” The way Emme was biting her lip was a clear indication she wanted to ask me something very personal. “What? Just ask.”
“Okay, I will. Who hit you? Don’t you dare try and tell me that bullshit about a dancer kicking you in the face or the two thugs that just happened to attack you. I know a knuckle bruise when I see one. Is that part of the reason you rushed to come to New Orleans?”
I touched my face, trying to keep from showing her any emotions. “It’s no big deal.”
“Anna, people who hurt women don’t stop until someone makes them stop. Do you understand what I’m saying?”
“Don’t worry about me, Emme. I’m fine. I’m here. I’m safe.”
“All I’m telling you is that you really can trust Jaxon. Tell him what happened.”
“And what if I do? What then?”
The way she shrugged was enough of an answer for someone who’d grown up with having few friends and people terrified of what my father could do. It would be too easy to utilize their protection. Well, it would be if Jaxon didn’t think I was one of his enemies.
“Then he’ll assess how best to handle erasing your issue.”
I could feel my entire body quivering. “You mean he’d hunt them down and kill them.”
She took a slow and easy sip of her latte, once again locking eyes with mine. “Yes.”
It took a full minute to accept her admittance. “No. I…” I was ready to tell her that was one reason I’d run from Italy as a child. “It’s not that bad.”
“O-kay. If it gets too bad, you need to trust me enough to confide in me.”
“I’ll try. Why does your brother think I’m the bad guy? He’s certain I’m working for someone. I’m not. Is this about the enemy you mentioned?”
Emme touched my arm. “Maybe, but I know you’re not. You’re just a girl all alone in this world trying to find her place. I showed him your incredible dance with the New York Ballet last night. He was… mesmerized. I think maybe you two should talk.”
Now I felt like a total shit in lying to her.
“It’s because I’m Italian.”
Her smile was haphazard. “You should talk to him.”
“We’ll just argue.”
“Maybe that fuels the chemistry I witnessed with the two of you and don’t try and deny it.”
The woman had me blushing while she laughed, even pointing her long, manicured nail at me. “Or we’ll get into another wrestling match.”
As soon as I issued the words, she almost spit out a sip of her latte. “So that’s what was going on. So much for you being an enemy. An enemy with benefits.”
Enemies. It was the second time she’d used the word.
Who were the Prince family within New Orleans?
I’d already seen the reaction of people when coming into contact with two of them.
Most people were terrible at hiding their true emotions, their expressions wearing their thoughts.
I’d seen a mixture of respect and fear, which I didn’t get at all.
But Emmeline’s story was only adding to the intrigue.
It was also making me shiver. Italians. Cosa Nostra. I’d known they existed in New York and could have ties to the Five Families. Why not New Orleans? Why did it feel as if my throat was closing?
Breathe. Just breathe.
“You’re terrible.” We sat back, enjoying the peaceful moment. I was very happy that I had Emme to talk to. “How did you come to terms with how you felt about your dad?”
“That took a long time and something I didn’t realize until recently.
As I grew up,” she continued, “I started to realize my father was more of an antihero straight out of a romance novel. He adored my mother, showering her with gifts and they continued having date nights even after the fifth kid was born. Yet… I don’t know.
I guess the moment I realized my father wasn’t exactly who he said he was fractured my little girl brain just a little.
When he died, I was forced to face an ugly fact that I’d learned to shut him out in portions of my life I shouldn’t.
I kept him at arm’s length, something I’m forced to live with.
Family is important. I can hate Jaxon for his attitude and behavior, but I know he would die for me. That’s the kind of man he is.”
“Maybe your brothers being so protective isn’t such a bad thing.” Why was I defending the man all of a sudden?
“There’s that, but I’m not going to lie in that their… attention can be suffocating. But… there are certainly worse situations to be in. Maybe just talk with him and you two can bury the hatchet. Do me a favor though. Don’t give him another concussion.”
“Ugh. I’m sorry about that. You should remember I’m from New York.
” I closed my eyes, finding myself taking shallow breaths.
It was truly now or never for admitting my background.
Would she understand why I’d lied to her all these years?
I guess in a sense her omission of the business her family was in could be considered lying as well.
“I need to tell you something, Emme. And I hope you don’t think less of me. ”
Emme lifted her eyes and as soon as she did, I realized we were no longer alone.
“Sorry. I had a huge delivery.” Josette had returned, now holding court over the table with a knowing smile. “I heard you talking about family. The Prince family will eventually grow on you.”
Emme lifted her eyebrows and I waved my hand. At first, I would only tell her my secret, and it wasn’t to get back to Jaxon or any of the brothers. I could only imagine what they’d think.
That I was working with their enemy.
“I wish Jaxon didn’t think I was playing some game with him.” Yet I was, at least in a way.
“Take it from me,” Josette said. “Their barks are much worse than their bites. Unless you’re on the receiving end of a vendetta that is. Not the best place for anyone to be. However, I’ll let you in on a little secret. They are very passionate.”
There was the look shared between them again. I still had no idea how to take their comments. Maybe they thought I understood the family dynamics, of which I was clueless. “How long have you been married to Sinclair?”
“Not long. Months,” Josette mused. “Maybe a year.” She laughed. “I’m sorry. I’ve been really busy at the store. Our romance was a whirlwind of anger, spite, passion, and his need to control me. All packaged in a tight Armani suit and thick hair. The most handsome man I’ve ever met.”
All three of us laughed and I could tell she was happy.
“Speak of the devil. There’s my baby.” Josette’s eyes flickered, a slow and sultry smile crossing her face. It took me a few seconds to realize why. Turning my head, my body instantly reacted to what I was seeing outside the huge front window.
Two men.
Both with thick, dark hair. Both towering over almost everyone in the street.
The kind of men whose shoulders filled a doorway and whose hands could easily crush a man’s neck.
The last thought brought a cold shiver down my spine.
I had no idea why a series of dark and violent images rolled into my mind other than from what Emmeline had mentioned earlier.
They commanded the entire street, people on the sidewalk moving away from them as if the force of nature would cripple them. Whatever discussion they were in, it was heated, both their expressions full of discontent.
If not complete anger.
Josette didn’t seem to care, her eyes lighting up. However, Emme was pissed, her face pinched as it had been before when finding him inside her house.
“Looks like our peace is going to be interrupted,” she hissed under her breath just as the two men walked inside.
“What are you two doing here?” Josette asked. “Checking up on the ladies?”
Jaxon’s eyes swept the table, landing on mine. Instantly, his body stiffened, but I was very good at reading minds. His thoughts were as salacious as they’d been the night before and the one before that.
“I think I should go,” I told Emme, already rising to my feet. “Thank you for everything.”
“Just stay. I’ll shoo him away. What are you doing here?” Emme leveled her remark at Jaxon, who appeared surprised at what he’d walked into.
Her demand was met with a smile from the man I didn’t know. But he only had eyes for Josette.
He cleared his throat before heading toward Josette. “Can’t we have coffee at my wife’s little bistro?”
“Little bistro?” Josette snapped. “Don’t be an egotistical bastard, Sinclair. I have a new customer. This is Anna. Be nice since from what I heard, Jaxon has been a bear.”
“Ah, that’s right,” Sinclair said. “I’ve already heard a lot about you. Don’t mind my younger brother. He’s everyone’s pain in the ass.”
“It’s been lovely to meet all of you, but I have a rehearsal.” Which was a lie that I could live with.
Emme cocked her head. “You don’t need to leave.”
“No, I think I do. Thank you for the shopping trip.” I skirted around the group toward the door, thankful for the humid air and being able to walk away without being bothered.
The last thing I wanted was to find myself embroiled in a situation that would draw attention to my past and my family.
Something neither Emmeline nor her brother could ever forgive.