Emmalin
“Wait here while I check the place out.”
I nodded while Heather went inside. I was nervous and couldn’t believe I was doing this. I took several deep breaths, trying to calm my nerves. After a few minutes, Heather came back. “All clear. Would you like me to go inside with you?”
I shook my head no. This was definitely something I didn’t need her to report back to Grayson. “If you wouldn’t mind waiting here, I should only be about 15 minutes.” She nodded as she opened the door, letting me out. I walked into the bar, letting my gaze take in everything. It was your normal, typical bar. A little dark. It wasn’t open yet, of course. I turned at the sound of someone clearing their throat.
“Hey.”
I smiled. “Hey yourself.”
He took a step forward. “So. Am I allowed to hug you, or is that forbidden?”
I laughed as Caleb met me halfway before picking me up in a hug. He led me over to a table. “Can I get you anything?”
I shook my head. “No, I’m good. How do you like working here?”
He shrugged. “It’s not bad, actually. My flirting skills have improved, which helps with the tips, which pays for my law school.”
“Well, you always were good at flirting, Caleb; remember we almost went out.”
He laughed as a waitress brought us water. “I’m sorry to hear about Tyler. Gwen told me.”
I nodded, staring at the ice in my glass. “That’s actually what I wanted to talk to you about. I was wondering if you could help me with something. Help get something for me, I should say.”
“Yeah, anything. You name it.”
“Okay, but no questions, Caleb.”
He smirked. “Really?”
“I mean it, Caleb. You can’t ask me any questions.”
He gave me a lopsided smile. “Fine, Ems. I won’t ask you any questions.” He leaned in close to me.
I looked around the almost empty bar before my eyes met his again. I leaned in a little closer. “I need a gun.”
He leaned back in his chair, laughing, then grew quiet when he noticed I wasn’t laughing with him. He looked around the bar before leaning in. “Are you fucking with me right now?”
I slowly shook my head no.
“Fuck, Ems, you’re serious?”
“No questions, Caleb.”
He ran his hand through his hair. “What do you need a gun for, Emmalin?”
“Lower your voice,” I hissed. “And I said, you couldn’t ask me any questions.”
He held up his hand as he shut his eyes, and took a few seconds of composure. “Just verify this one thing. Is it Grayson?”
My mouth dropped. “Jesus, Caleb, no. He would never.” I sighed. “No,” I answered more firmly.
He nodded and clasped his hands. “You’re sure? Really fucking sure?”
I didn’t know what I was more thrown off more about, the fact that maybe he was actually willing to help me, or that I’ve never heard him say the work fuck this many times.
“I know a guy who knows a guy who could probably help you. He’s not cheap.”
“I don’t care; that’s not a problem. The sooner the better.”
He eyed me wearily, shaking his head. “Fine. Let me make some calls.”
Twenty minutes later, I had a number, a code word, and the promise to meet him here, three hours after the bar opened, to ensure there was traffic. Caleb insisted on meeting him with me. He wouldn’t let me do it by myself, especially if I wasn’t letting anyone else in on what I was doing.
“I’m worried about you, Emmalin.”
I looked at Caleb from the corner of my eye. “You know, this is the second time you’ve called me Emmalin. Ever.” I turned to face him. “I know what I’m doing, Caleb. Trust me. I’m not harming anyone we know.”
“Then why doesn’t Grayson know what you’re up to?” He moved in closer to me as more people gathered in the bar. Since I was over my fifteen-minute promise, Heather was also in the bar, keeping a watchful eye, and the last thing I needed was for her to report these antics to Grayson. So I tried making us look as casual as possible. We spent the last three hours playing pool and darts to pass the time.
“I don’t want him involved,” I said through gritted teeth. “He’s been through enough already dealing with it. I’m going to end what’s going on for good. Now, I’ve let you get away with that one question, Caleb, but please. No more.” He sulkily nodded and looked at his watch. I glanced over at Heather, who was blending in with the crowd, but still keeping an eye out. Shit, I didn’t know how I was going to do this. I guess I didn’t really have much of a choice in the matter.
“I think that’s him.” We watched a tall guy enter the establishment and head to the bar. Caleb took a step forward, and I stopped him. “I can go.” He looked at me with hesitation.
“Are you sure? Better in numbers and all that crap. Isn’t that what they say?”
“Yeah, I’m sure. If anything happens, you’re not far.” I gave him a weak smile, then I headed to the bar, and sidled up next to the guy.
Before I could figure out exactly what to say to him, he spoke first. “You don’t look like you come here often.” His voice was low.
I cleared my throat. “It’s my first time here. You?”
“Once or twice.”
I could feel him looking me up and down. He was actually quite handsome. He wore a black hat that concealed his eyes, and I could tell both arms were sleeved with tattoos, but he wore a long sleeve shirt to hide most of it. He had a scar under his left eye, and for some reason, I wanted to reach out and touch it.
“What’s your name?”
I shrunk back a little, thoughts interrupted. “Dottie.”
He smiled and held out his hand. “I’m Ridge. Can I get you a drink?”
I looked at the bar menu above me, where everything was outlined in chalk on a blackboard. “Um…sure. Margarita sounds nice.”
He nodded, eyes still speculating me. “Margarita, huh? They have the best tequila here, I’m sure it’ll blend well. What flavor would you like, Dottie?”
I held my head high. “Mango.”
His eyes glittered, and he casually stood up, and leaned over to my ear. “Follow me.”
I followed him to the men’s bathroom, which was small. The door clicked behind us, and he grabbed me, thrusting me up against the wall. My heart started pounding in my ears. “It’s better if they think we’re in here fucking, Dottie.” I nodded nervously. He smirked as he slowly released me and stepped back, eyeing me up and down.
“So, because I had to be here immediately, there’s an extra $500 for that.” I watched as he reached in his back pocket taking out a case. He straightened up and stared at me, then arched an eyebrow when I didn’t move.
“Oh right, of course!” I pulled out the envelope I had containing the cash and handed it over. He took it and made a quick count before putting it in his inner pocket.
“Now, you’re small, so I think this would be the best one for you. Give this one a hold.” He held a gun out toward me, facedown. “I can teach you how to load it.”
“I know how to load it.”
He smirked. “It’s not a toy, doll.”
I rolled my eyes. “It’s a 22 pistol. I know my guns, Ridge. And this isn’t what I want. I want a Beretta M9.” I handed him back the pistol.
He smiled. “Well, fucking shit. I had you pegged wrong. My dick just got hard. Maybe we should fuck after all, make this shit as real as possible.” He winked at me. I crossed my arms and he held up his hands. “Okay fine, Beretta it is. He reached in his back pocket. He was like a damn magician.
“Two grand.”
My eyes widened. “They don’t even go for that much.”
His stance firmed. “Two grand, doll. Including what you need for ammunition.”
I sighed and gave him the other envelope. He peered in and smiled. He paused for a brief moment when he saw the Mandrake logo on the envelope, then stuffed it in his pocket. He extended his hand. “Pleasure doing business with you.”
I tentatively extended mine. “Thanks.”
He leaned in and whispered, “Best fuck ever,” and chuckled before opening the door.
As we walked down the hall, the bar was packed, and I ran into Heather, who gave me a scrutinizing look. For all she knew, we both left separate bathrooms at the same time. At least I hoped that’s what she thought. I smiled at her. “I’m just going to tell Caleb bye, then we can go.” She nodded, looking at Ridge, who dipped his hat, already turning the corner, and left.
I walked over to Caleb, who looked extremely anxious. “How’d it go?”
I leaned in and whispered, looking around. Heather was still standing close. “It was fine. A bit easy actually.” I looked behind me at Heather, who was eyeing me like a hawk. “She’s really suspicious, so I should probably go.”
He looked behind me eyeing Heather cautiously. “Be careful.” He leaned down, kissing me softly on the cheek, and gave me a hug.
The ride home was silent. I felt Heather judging me the entire time. As if she thought I was cheating on Grayson. That wasn’t the case at all. Of course, if she knew what I was really doing, she would’ve put a stop to it, and Grayson would’ve had my ass. But I didn’t care. I made up my mind a long time ago. Way before Tyler died. The moment I saw him enter that hotel and threaten not only me, but everyone around me. I had to destroy him.
Entering the apartment, I was thrown off to see Grayson home before me. I had no doubt Heather had told him where I was. He was sitting quietly in the living room, with the TV on low. I gently sat my bag down by the front door before joining him.
"I didn't realize you would be home so soon."
He watched me approach him carefully. I felt like he knew I was hiding something. "I wanted to see you. I didn't think you would be out though." He brushed his lips against mine.
"Yeah, after I saw you, I went out for a bit."
"Where to?"
I sat in the chair across from him. "I went and checked out the bar Caleb works at now. It's nice." I could see his jaw clenching as he leaned back and crossed his leg over his knee.
"How is Caleb?"
"He's really good. He's working there part-time while going to law school. Doing really well for himself." I started to ramble, and did that for the next five minutes while Grayson stared at me, not saying a word. Finally, when I was done, he gave me a small smile.
"What would you like for dinner, Emmalin?"
I was thrown off by his question. "Um. I can make us something. Just let me changed first." He nodded as I slowly got up. I grabbed my bag I left by the front door, and went to the bedroom to change, throwing on a pair of yoga pants and a top. When I was sure he wasn't anywhere within distance, I placed the gun into a different bag, then went to the kitchen.
I was still wrapping my hair into a top knot when I ran into Grayson in the kitchen, leaning against the counter. I smiled at him as I went over to the fridge and peered inside. “So, anything in particular? I know Magda froze a lot of stuff, but I can always make something. Maybe a quick stir-fry? I’m always down for breakfast for dinner, too.” I paused as I felt Grayson behind me, his erection digging into my back as he held me tightly against him. I braced myself against the fridge as his hands roamed up my body and teased my nipples, and I moaned against him.
“Were his hands on you?” he whispered in my ear.
I froze. My breathing picked up as his hands delved lower into the waistband of my pants. “He’s just a friend, Grayson, you know that.” I moaned as his hand started to rub my clit before dipping lower into my entrance.
“Hmm, you’re wet. Really wet. Were you this wet when you saw him?” I gasped as he pinched my clit, and I shuddered, leaning my head back against his chest.
“You know I only get wet for you. Right?” I tried to turn around, but he held me firm. "Why don't you believe me? Do you doubt anything I feel for you?"
He inhaled sharply before backing up, and I finally turned around, seeing the slight pain in his eyes. I placed my hand over his chest, feeling his heartbeat. "Grayson? I'm yours. You know that."
He stared at the ground as he spoke. "For the first time, I feel like I don't have control over anything, and I don't know what to do. I feel like I'm losing you. Like you'll be taken away from me, and I won't be there to stop it from happening. There's been too many close calls." He shut his eyes as he took a step back. "And what I want to do, what my gut tells me, is to end it.”
My eyes grew wide at what he was implying, and my thoughts could barely form at what he just said. My mind started going a million miles an hour. This was all my fault. It was too much. I had expected this, so why was I surprised? I should’ve known, and probably should’ve expected it to happen sooner. This is good then, right? He deserved someone who wasn’t so fucked up. Who wasn’t a murderer, and who didn’t have a fucked up stepbrother looking to seek revenge. Not someone with a fucked up past. Yeah. End it now then. It’ll be fine. I’ll be fine. So why did I want to breakdown and scream and cry right now? Because he is breaking your fucking heart.
“Emmalin.”
I looked up at the sound of my name. Grayson was looking at me, concerned. He stepped forward, reaching his hand toward my face, and I moved back. Frowning, he stepped forward again and grabbed my bicep, as he brushed a tear off my face, and I turned my head to the side. Dammit, I didn’t even realize I was crying.
“What’s wrong?”
“Um. I can be out in a week, maybe two, if that’s okay? I just need some time to find a place.” He gripped both my shoulders tightly, looking me in the eyes.
“What are you talking about?”
I looked at him, confused. “You said you were ending it.”
He shook his head. “No. Dammit, Emmalin, that’s not what I was talking about.”
I shoved him back, and he looked at me in bewilderment. “Well, don’t say shit like that to me because I can’t lose you too.” I slammed the refrigerator door and walked out of the kitchen. Grayson was hot on my heels. He spun me around and pushed me up against the wall. We stood so close, we could feel each other’s heartbeats.
He lightly trailed my neck. “You’ll never lose me. I claimed you a long time ago.”
After I was sure Grayson was asleep, I took out my phone and looked at the last message I received from Carson. It was sent weeks ago. I replied to it, not even sure if it would even send, but tried anyway.
Me: I have the money
Now, all I had to do was wait.