Chapter 14 - Emily
As I sat in the backseat, Alec focused on the road. My mind kept replaying the events at the office like a broken record. Dominic’s strange behavior, the man who appeared out of nowhere bypassing all the proper protocol, not being invited to the meeting with Dominic and his brothers. And now, here I was, on my way to pick up Lucy. The timing of it all, everything happening today, only deepened my unease. I had no doubt they were all connected somehow.
A knot twisted in my stomach as I thought about it. Something wasn’t right. I couldn’t shake the gut feeling that Dominic was hiding something. Why had he kicked me out of the office? Was he trying to keep me from overhearing something important?
When I returned to the office as Mrs. Quantum, not just his PA, Dominic had been incredibly open with me about the business. Sitting in on meetings with his brothers had given me invaluable insights into their operations. Learning on the job was exhilarating, and I truly appreciated him for it.
But now? Now, I couldn’t understand why he’d stand there and look me in the eye, lying through his teeth, especially after thinking we’d gotten closer over the weekend. I believed he trusted me enough not to lie, and yet here he was, doing just that.
I’d have a few choice words for him when he got home tonight, and whether he liked it or not, he was going to listen.
Before I could overthink things, my phone rang. I dug into my bag and pulled it out. It was my father. He’d been persistent with his calls, but I’d been ignoring him, especially after his latest stunt at the restaurant. On top of that, I was still trying to piece together everything that had happened since I was offered a job at Dominic's company.
But maybe he had answers I was looking for. Or at least, that’s what I told myself.
I hesitated for a moment, looking at the screen, then swiped to answer. My fingers felt like they were moving on their own, and I had to take a deep breath before speaking.
“Good afternoon, Dad,” I said, my tone guarded.
“Emily, sweetheart! It’s always a pleasure hearing your voice. How’s my little girl doing?” His voice was as smooth as ever, but I wasn’t about to be charmed.
“I’ve been busy. How can I help you?”
“Well, I just wanted to check-in. Married life treating you well? Dominic taking good care of you?”
“It’s been great,” I said, keeping it short.
“Good, good. And work? I assume you’re keeping yourself busy at the company?”
“Yes, Dad, I’m still working as his PA.”
“Ah, I figured. You’ve always been so hardworking.” He let out a chuckle, the kind meant to sound fatherly. “Must be fascinating working so closely with him. I imagine there’s always some new project or big decision on the table with a company like his, huh?”
I paused, my grip on the phone tightening. There it was, casual, but calculated. “It’s a lot of work, but nothing I can’t handle,” I replied, sidestepping his bait.
“That’s my girl. Always sharp. I hope Dominic appreciates what an asset you are. It’s not every day you find someone who can handle that kind of responsibility.”
My stomach twisted. He was laying it on thick, but I wasn’t falling for it. “Thanks, Dad. I appreciate the vote of confidence.”
“Well, I just want to make sure you’re happy, sweetheart. You deserve nothing but the best.”
Whatever this was, I wasn’t going to give him the satisfaction of pulling me into his games. I didn’t owe my father a thing.
“Of course,” I said, already done with the conversation. “Listen, I’ve got to run. We’ll catch up later, okay?”
Before he could respond, I ended the call and tossed the phone into my bag with more force than necessary.
I leaned back, exhaling slowly. The nerve of him. He thought he was being clever, but I saw right through him. This wasn’t just a father checking in on his daughter—this was something else entirely.
Five minutes later, the car came to a smooth stop. Alec hopped out, and I glanced out the window. We had pulled up in front of a bright, modern dance studio with large glass windows framed by sleek metallic accents. The logo a swirl of vibrant colors spelling out Rhythm she was never one to follow expectations.
Before long, the music faded, and the instructor clapped her hands, signaling the end of class. Lucy darted across the room toward me, her energy radiating as she bounced on her toes. “Aunty Emily!” she exclaimed, throwing her arms around me.
“You were amazing out there. Maybe you can teach me some of your moves,” I said laughing.
Lucy pulled back, her eyes sparkling. “You really think I was good?”
“Lucy, you’ve got a natural talent, you were great.”
Honestly, from the little I saw, Lucy really was a great dancer, her moves agile and her timing was on point with the music.
“Thanks, Aunty Emily,” she beamed.
“Ok, Alec is outside waiting to take us home, are you ready?”
“Let me just grab my bag.”
Lucy darted off to retrieve her bag from a shelf, waving to her friends as she left. A few mothers and kids passing by said their goodbyes, and I replied with a polite smile. Lucy slipped her small hand into mine as we exited the building.
Alec stood by the car, and as soon as he saw us, he stepped forward and held the door open. Once Lucy and I were comfortably seated inside, he slid behind the wheel, and the car glided smoothly back onto the road.
As we drove, Lucy fidgeted with her bag, then glanced up at me with her big, curious eyes. “You know,” she began, her voice soft but thoughtful, “I have a picture of everyone I care about… except you.”
I turned toward her, my heart swelling. “You do?” I asked, trying to keep my voice from cracking with emotion.
Lucy nodded eagerly, “Yeah,” she said, holding up her fingers as she started to count. “I have one with Daddy, Uncle Seb, Uncle Leo, Uncle Nate, Uncle Axel, Uncle Vince, Mrs. Kay, and Mr. Alec…but not you.”
I didn’t know what to say at first. It had only been three months since I stepped into Lucy’s life, and while I had tried to be there for her, it wasn’t always easy figuring out how to fit into her little world. But here she was, making me feel like I’d already found my place.
“Well, we can fix that right now,” I said, pulling out my phone. I scooted closer, angling it so we could both fit in the frame. “Ready?”
Lucy grinned. “Ready!”
We snapped a selfie, both of us smiling wide. Then Lucy tilted her head and stuck out her tongue. I laughed and copied her, and before long, we were pulling every silly face we could think of—fish lips, squinty eyes, even pretending to roar like lions. Alec glanced at us in the rearview mirror, and I caught the faintest smirk on his face.
When we finished, Lucy clapped her hands together. “Can we print them out, please? So I can add them to my book?”
“Of course,” I said, smiling at her. “I’ll make sure you get copies of every single one. Maybe we can even frame a couple for your room?”
Lucy’s eyes lit up, and she squeezed my arm in excitement. “Yes! That would be so cool!”
As she settled back into her seat, still flipping through the photos on my phone, she looked up again. “Aunty Emily,” she said with a hopeful grin, “can we get ice cream before we go home? Pleeease?”
I chuckled, knowing I’d never be able to say no to that face. After everything she’d accomplished today, she deserved a treat. And honestly, so did I.
“Why not?” I said, leaning forward to address Alec. “Can you take us to the nearest ice cream shop?”
“Yes, ma’am,” Alec said, his voice betraying his amusement.
As we pulled into a quaint little ice cream parlor, I couldn’t help but feel a quiet sense of pride. Lucy trusted me enough to share her world with me, to want me in her photo album of people who mattered. It wasn’t just sweet—it was monumental.
Watching her chatter excitedly about which flavor she’d pick, I felt a tiny flicker of thought bloom in the back of my mind. Could I ever see myself doing this with a child of my own someday? Would I be any good at it?
But then Lucy tugged on my hand, as we stepped out of the car pulling me into the shop, and I realized I didn’t need to have all the answers right now. For now, it was enough to be here, to be part of Lucy’s world, one silly selfie and ice cream cone at a time.
The ice cream shop had been a whirlwind of giggles and indecision as Lucy picked her flavors. I couldn’t help but laugh when she declared she needed “rainbow sprinkles for extra magic.” We’d gotten cups with cones perched on top to save Alec the horror of sticky seats, and Lucy even insisted we pick up Alec’s favorite, chocolate fudge ripple, for later. I grabbed a few extra tubs for home, feeling a rare lightness as we walked back toward the car.
Alec was waiting by the curb, as Lucy skipped ahead, balancing her cup in both hands, her little hums blending with the distant sounds of traffic. I trailed behind, smiling at the sight of her pure joy.
Then everything shifted in a heartbeat.
The low growl of an engine roared to life nearby, and my stomach twisted. I turned just in time to see a car barreling toward us. The world blurred into a rush of sound and motion—screeching tires, the metallic gleam of the sun on the vehicle’s hood, and the sickening realization that it wasn’t stopping.
“Lucy!” I screamed, lunging forward.
I shoved her to the pavement, and the bag with the ice cream tubs and my cup tumbled from my hand. Pain tore through my right side as the car clipped me, sending me sprawling before speeding off. The impact knocked the air from my lungs in a sharp gasp, and for a moment, everything spun.
Before I even hit the ground, the roar of engines exploded into action. Two black SUVs surged forward, tires screeching as they cut across the street.
Lucy’s wails pierced through the chaos. “Aunty Emily! Aunty Emily!”
“Mrs. Quantum! Lucy!” Alec’s voice cut through the noise, reaching us as he sprinted toward us.
I pushed myself up, breath ragged, ignoring the fire in my side. Lucy trembled next to me, her ice cream spilled on the pavement, mint-green and chocolate melting into a puddle. I pulled her into my arms. “Shh, baby, I’ve got you,” I whispered, brushing her hair back with shaky hands. “You’re safe now. It’s okay.”
Alec dropped to his knees, scanning frantically. “Are you ladies hurt? Mrs. Quantum, look at me!”
“I’m fine,” I lied, though pain flared with every movement. “Lucy’s okay. Just shaken.”
The black SUVs screeched to a halt just inches from us. Six men in sharp suits exploded out of the vehicles, weapons drawn, scanning the area. The drivers stayed in their seats, engines rumbling, ready for orders.
“Don’t you dare lose that car or I’ll have your head!” one of the men barked coldly into an earpiece.
Two men quickly approached us, their weapons still trained on the surroundings. “Change cars now,” one ordered sharply to Alec.
Alec didn’t hesitate. He hauled me to my feet, Lucy in my arms, guiding me toward the nearest SUV. The driver, unfazed, turned his head to acknowledge us. Alec opened the door and ushered us inside.
“Stay low,” Alec ordered as he slid into the front seat. Lucy and I climbed into the back. She clung to me, her small hands still gripping my shirt. The door slammed shut with a heavy thud, and the men in suits moved quickly, switching positions and hopping into the other SUV and car Alex was driving.
As we lay in back the seat, Lucy still clutching me tightly.
One of the suited men leaned into the window, his voice brisk and steady. “We’ll lead. Another will tail. Do not stop.”
The driver nodded sharply, his jaw clenched. Seconds later, the car lurched forward, tires squealing as we pulled away.
Lucy’s cries softened into hiccupping sobs. “It’s okay, sweetheart,” I murmured, rocking her gently, my heart aching. “I’ve got you. Alec’s got us. We’re safe now.”
My mind swirled with questions. Who were these men? Why were they protecting us? But as Lucy’s small body trembled against mine, I refocused on what mattered: keeping her safe.
“You’re so brave, Lucy,” I whispered, pressing a kiss to her temple. “We’re going to be okay.”
Whatever was happening, I clung to the truth I knew: I’d protect Lucy with everything I had. Nothing else mattered.