Chapter 12
twelve
EMERIE
I tighten my arms around my knees and keep rocking on the floor where Granger and Gentry shoved me. I don’t know how long ago they shut me in.
Tears spill down my cheeks as fear of not knowing what’s going on overwhelms me. I don’t know why the two brothers locked me in this tiny cubby.
One minute, we were all laughing about how I love the Home Alone movies, but only the first two—the ones after don’t count.
The next moment, they’re shoving me in here and telling me not to make a sound so as not to be found.
It feels like an eternity since they put me in here. I could hear the sounds of shouting. Of fighting. Of the grunts and thuds. I tighten my arms further, wishing for Calder. I need him more now than ever. The worst part is I don’t even know if he’s okay. If he’s safe or hurt.
Was my dad behind this?
He had to be.
Whatever is going on right now, it has the stench of him on it.
The fact that I share blood with such a monster infuriates me and makes me question if I’ll end up like him. I try so hard not to be, but they always say that children will turn into their parents. I don’t want to be like him.
My breath hitches, and I reach up with one hand and cover my mouth, hoping no one heard me. I don’t want anyone to find me before Calder comes for me.
That’s who I want and wish like crazy will be the one to open the door to my hiding spot.
The sound of voices has my heart racing, and the closer they get, the more I feel like I might pass out as I do my best not even to breathe.
A silent cry leaves my lips as the door to my hiding spot starts to open.
“Bellissima.”
My silent cry turns into a sob as I hear Calder’s voice. He opens the door farther, and I launch myself at him, not caring who sees me crying.
Calder wraps his arms around me and holds me tight.
“It’s okay, Emerie, it’s done and you’re safe,” he murmurs, between kisses to my temple, the side of my head, and the top of it.
I nod but start sobbing hard like some idiot who can’t get control of their emotions.
“Come on, Bellissima, it’s all good now. ”
I nod and burrow deeper into him.
“Fuck me, you’re killing me with the tears.” Calder’s voice is filled with something I’d never heard in his voice before, similar to anguish, as he holds me tighter.
“Calder, why don’t you take her home, and we’ll deal with the rest tomorrow,” Granger suggests.
“You’re not staying here tonight,” Calder growls.
“We’re staying at your place,” Grant remarks.
“Not all of the rooms are completed,” I tell them, doing my best to get my crying jag under control.
“That’s alright, little one,” Grant says from directly behind me. “We’ll make it work.”
“I’ll send Leone and Ciro to get some air mattresses after we get there. Raiden will stay here on guard.” Calder tightens his arms around me.
“I’ll call in the rest of the men to help start disposing of the trash around here.”
I don’t even want to know what trash they’re talking about. There’s only one kind it can be, and I hope I don’t have to see any on our way out.
I might be okay with what Calder does for a living, but that’s because I love him so much. I can look past it all because at the end of the day, he comes home to me.
Calder scoops me into his arms, breaking through my thoughts of him, and orders, “Keep your head buried in my neck, Bellissima.”
I wrap my arms tighter around him and keep my eyes closed as well, and my head in his neck. I wasn’t taking any risks of seeing anything I didn’t want to see.
Long moments later, the cold air from outside hits me.
“Leave your car here, we’ll take the Hummer,” Grant states, his voice harder than it was moments ago.
Calder climbs in without letting me go, and I don’t loosen my grip on him either. I think if I did, I might start shaking and wouldn’t be able to stop.
I don’t know who’s driving, but they take off, spinning tires. In what seems like half the time it usually is for a drive between the two houses, we’re parking, and Calder gets out, not once loosening his arms.
No words are spoken as he walks up the steps, through the entry of the door, and up the stairs, into our room. Only when we’re in the en suite bathroom does he set me on my feet.
I finally open my eyes and glance up to meet Calder’s gaze and notice the blood coating his face.
It should scare me. If it were anyone other than him, it would.
Regardless, this is my husband. A man I know will protect me.
He doesn’t even have to use words to confirm it. I know it without a doubt in the world.
“Let’s get you cleaned up,” I breathe, helping him strip out of the clothes and taking mine off as well.
Taking his hand in mine, I step back and reach into the shower to turn the water on.
Both of us like the same water temperature, being hot as we can handle, but when he gets in the shower with me, he keeps it at something comfortable.
I sense he needs it hotter than that, though, and give it to him.
Once the water’s heated, I step in, bringing him with me. Calder keeps quiet, his eyes locked on me as I go about grabbing the soap and a cloth to wash him.
I take my time washing his face, being gentle not to get the soap in his eyes or mouth. Calder dips his head under the spray long enough to rinse his face before allowing me to continue washing him.
Clean of blood, I toss the cloth to the tile floor and press my lips to the center of his chest, gaining a reaction from Calder.
Arms encase me, tugging me into him as he walks us back, pressing me into the wall.
I tilt my head back just as he descends, our lips clashing, his commanding.
The arms around me shift for him to grip my waist and lift me.
I immediately wrap my legs around his waist. My hands already find purchase in his hair while I kiss him deeply.
Calder’s cock finds my entrance, and I moan into his moan as he thrusts up and pulls me down all at the same time. Unlike any other time, he takes me, this is different. More savage. He’s not gentle in his thrusts as he yanks me down with each move he makes.
I wrench my lips away from his to cry out my pleasure. The orgasm that consumes me is violent and worth every bit of taking his fucking. Calder follows after several long, powerful strokes, filling me with his release.
Breathing heavily, Calder kisses me once again, this time gentler.
“Never again,” Calder growls, breaking his lips away. “You won’t ever be without me like that again.”
“You can’t protect me twenty-four-seven, Calder,” I tell him, cupping his cheek.
“Maybe not, but I’ll see to it there’s no threat against you.”
My pulse picks up, and my stomach flutters. “Is he dead?”
“Not yet, but he will be.”
Calder’s answer should affect me in the worst way, but in truth, it makes me feel better. It means I won’t have to fear my father showing up and destroying what I want to have for myself.
Rather than use words, I kiss Calder again, showing him instead how much his honesty means to me.
This man, who is said to be merciless and cold-hearted, the Santa of hitmen, is mine. All mine. As I’m his. He can work in the dark because at the end of the day, I’ll be his light.