Chapter 22

Emi

Walker’s quiet, too quiet. He rolls his tongue through his teeth, making a hissing sound, and the vein on his forehead is popping out.

At least his jaw isn’t ticking.

Then it starts, the ticking.

Maybe telling him our plan to uncover ‘Felix’ wasn’t the smartest idea. But since I promised not to lie to him, and he sexually manipulated me into keeping him updated on all Trixsters business, I felt like I had to tell him.

Not to mention that we’re about fifteen miles from his hunting camp, where his parents are waiting on us to spend the weekend. My nerves are on overdrive, and I basically blurted everything out the minute I was in his truck.

Nervous Emi is not good. Nervous Emi talks fast without thinking and sometimes says completely inappropriate things.

“Walker, please say something.”

“I’m trying to keep it in check and understand how Maren and you come up with these hair-brain schemes. Do you not see all the ways this could go south? If this Stacy woman has banded together with other women who were burned by this shithead, why didn’t she come to the police? If anything, he could be investigated for fraud and extortion.”

“I can’t answer that, baby, but the fact remains, she came to us. We’re going to help these women expose him and give them some closure.”

“By using Maren as bait? By poisoning the guy?”

“We’re not poisoning him. We’re merely giving him enough laxatives to make him sick. And while he’s occupied in the bathroom, she’s going to make sure the virus is uploaded to his phone. It’ll wipe out all his pictures and videos.”

“If he’s truly a con-man, he’s going to have back-up copies on his computer. Maybe even a thumb drive, too.”

“It’s not going to matter, because when she has access to his phone, she’s going to make sure he’s no longer able to participate on any dating sites.”

“Do I even want to know how she’s going to do that?”

“It’s simple. She’s going to violate their terms of service.”

“Why don’t these women report him?”

“The videos. They’re scared of backlash.”

“You two do understand this little scheme is only going to slow him down. He can create new emails and new identities to get back on the sites. Hence why you need to forget this.”

“And she’s going to embed his email with the virus, so it wipes his computer files.”

“You still need to forget this. It’s not going to stop him for good.”

I rack my brain, knowing he’s right. Maren and I have yet to come up with an idea that would actually take down ‘Felix’ and stop his preying on vulnerable women. Our idea to hit him where it hurts looks like a bust.

“What would you suggest?”

“Tell them to come to the police.”

“Okay.”

“Okay? You’re agreeing with me?”

“Sure, it’s a good plan. After Maren and I get done with our part, we’ll recommend they are safe to go to the police.”

He groans, slapping his hand on the steering wheel. “Dammit, Emi.”

“Walker, we’re going to expose this asshole and do what we can to assure these women some sense of justice.”

“Vagina vigilantes,” he mutters under his breath.

“Why do you keep calling us that?”

“Because of fucking Marcus. He used the term, and I thought he was a crazy, but knowing what I do now, it sticks.”

“We’re not going into this blind, Walker. We’re going to do tons of diligence before Maren sets up a date. Trust me on this.”

He goes back to being quiet, this time reaching over to hold my hand.

“We’ll be careful. Maren’s already working on hooking him. She’s going to spend some time seducing him.”

“So, he’ll assume he’s getting laid.”

“That’s the plan for now.”

“I don’t like it.”

My already frazzled nerves spike again as my heart sinks. The last thing I want is to put him in a bad mood for this weekend. It’s the first weekend he’s had off in a while.

“I’ll be with her, in disguise, in case anything seems off.”

“This whole plan is off.”

Now, it’s my turn to go quiet.

“I want to know when and where this is taking place.” He squeezes my hand, his voice still strained.

“All right.”

“Look at me,” he orders a lot more gently.

I do as he says, him lifting our joined hands to his mouth and kissing my fingers.

“Two days. I want you to myself for two days. Think you can leave all this behind for that long?”

“Absolutely,” I answer confidently and without hesitation.

He may not have said it in so many words, but I know how much he’s looking forward to this time away. Agents Kelly, Ross, and Collins all went home for the weekend, all of the men taking some well-deserved time to recharge.

We ride in silence for a few more minutes, this time without the tension filling the air. That is until he turns off onto ‘Walker Scott Lane’.

“Walker Scott Lane? You have a lane named after you?”

“Not me, my grandpa.”

“Was he famous?”

“Depends on who you ask. He was a war hero, a horse breeder, and an all-around family man. He and my grandma had seven children. There are Scotts all over.”

“Seven!”

“Seven,” he confirms.

“I had no idea you had such a large family.”

“My grandparents started their family when they were living near Asheville. My dad was the youngest, so when grandpa found this land and it was perfect for the horses, he relocated. My dad was in high school and had no choice but to come. Obviously, he stayed around. The rest are scattered.”

“But why didn't I know? I feel clueless.”

His mouth covers my knuckles again, and he nips lightly then kisses the area. “I'm telling you now.”

“Seven kids. How does that even happen?”

“The instant you get off birth control, I'll show you how it happens.”

He speaks so bluntly, so matter of fact, that images of he and me and a brood of kids fills my head.

“Walker, I think we have a ways to go before we get to that point.”

He smiles, the prickle of his facial scruff tickling my hand. “Maybe.”

My heart swells at his declaration. Then my senses kick in.

“I think it would be highly frowned upon to get pregnant right now. My mom would extend her prayer circle state-wide.”

He laughs, taking his eyes off the road to look at me. “I'm sure she wouldn't mind if we were married first.”

This time my heart stops, and I draw in a deep breath, the power of his words sinking in. How did we go from him wanting to strangle me over my Trixsters’ plan to discussing babies and marriage in a matter of ten minutes?

This is huge.

This is life-changing.

This is the kind of conversation you have wrapped in each other's arms, not the conversation you have in the cab of a truck on the way to meet his family.

“Baby, breathe.”

“I am,” I squeak, lightheaded.

“You freaked out?”

“Kinda,” I answer truthfully.

“Why?”

“You just told me you loved me a few weeks ago.”

“Telling you I love you and loving you aren't the same. I thought I explained that.”

Mayday! Mayday! My brain screams at me as that damn lump starts forming in my throat. As if he can sense my impending tears, he pulls off the road and stops.

His body turns to me, holding my hand to his chest. “Emerson, I need you to focus on me for a second. Can you do that?”

I nod.

“The first time I kissed you, I thought we established I'm not big on waiting.”

I can't speak past the lump in my throat, so I nod again

“What has you freaked out? The marriage or the kids?”

I find my voice, albeit scratchy. “Neither, but how can you be so sure you want to marry me?”

“You mean, how can I be so sure I'm going to marry you?” His grin returns as his eyes turn a molten blue. I'm struck again at how this man can mesmerize me with only a look.

“I knew I wasn't going to go to school like Marcus or go into business like my dad. I knew I was meant to be a soldier. After basic training, I knew I wanted to be an officer. I worked my ass off in every way to get to where I am today on the force. When I want something, I feel it to my soul. That's how I felt the first time I saw you. When Oliver touched your hand in the station, alarm bells went off in my head. Something inside of me screamed you were mine.”

“Dammit to hell!” I hiccup as a tear escapes and trickles down my cheek.

His grin grows. “Do you know where I stand now?” He gives me the voice I love so much—the perfect mix of huskiness and sexy.

“I do.”

“This weekend is about us, Emi. I'm going to show you a piece of my world and hope to hell you like it because it means something to me. My land, my cabin, my parents. This is the first and only time I've chosen to share this with a woman. Because when it happened, I knew it would be my future.”

GAH! He's slaying me. He's always had a way with words, but today, he's showing me a side I never knew was possible. His raw honesty has me ready to jump on his lap and give him all the sons he wants—starting today.

“I'm going to love it, Walker, because I love you. But unless you want to introduce me to your parents as a blubbering mess, and explain that I'm not actually unstable but only reacting to the most sacred and beautiful declaration of love ever made, I suggest you shut up and kiss me.”

His dimple pops as he pulls me to him. “We wouldn't want the girl who doesn't cry to be a blubbering mess,” he says against my lips right before his tongue touches mine.

I sink into him, meeting him stroke for stroke and feeling calmer by the second.

By the time we break apart, my face is flushed for a whole new reason. My whole body is alive, electricity zinging through my veins.

“You better now?”

“I am, and I think tonight may be the night you get to experiment with those wicked and filthy things when it comes to my nipple rings.”

His reaction is exactly as I hoped as his eyes drop to my chest. “Jesus, fuck. Thank God my parents live miles away.”

I start to giggle as he adjusts his pants and gets back on the road.

“I’m never leaving. This is paradise,” I announce with a little slur.

Walker’s mom, Leslie, giggles and refills my drink.

“Mom, I think she’s had enough,” Walker tells her, eyeing me.

“Son, you’ll learn the hard way when to keep your mouth shut.” Travis, Walker’s dad, nudges his elbow.

“I’m serious. I could work from here. I can work from anywhere. This view is much better than my boring walls.” I motion to the expansive land around us.

Walker left out many details about where he grew up. For one, it’s enormous. Walker has cleared out the area around his cabin, explaining that during hunting season, men bring their trailers up to stay for those months. He, Marcus, Travis, and a few of the men built a large building for gatherings that has running water and plumbing; it’s basic but quaint.

His cabin, though, it literally took my breath away.

It’s only two bedrooms and bathrooms, but it’s still larger than my place. The inside is exactly like his home, minus the deer heads mounted on the walls. It’s rustic and manly, yet comfortable and inviting. His furniture isn’t nearly as lavish as his home, but it’s still cool. And his bedroom is legitimately the largest room in the whole place, with a private bath and built in fireplace.

One of the best features of the cabin is that it sits perfectly east-west. We are currently on the back porch facing west, watching the sun disappear. We finished eating about an hour ago and came out here to have some drinks and watch the sunset.

Yep, I could live here.

“Emi, get that dreamy look off your face. We’re not moving out here.”

“You don’t have to move, but I’m not leaving. You can come visit me on the weekends. Leslie and Travis will make sure I’m okay.” I peek between them for reassurance.

They nod, his mom a little too enthusiastically.

“Can y’all stop encouraging her? I’m not leaving her here.” Walker pins me with his eyes, with a look that says knock it off.

“Spoil sport,” I mutter, or at least I think I do until Leslie starts laughing loudly.

“Emi, you are welcome here anytime. Maybe when Walker’s finished with this case, it’ll free up some time, and you’ll be able to come more often,” she says to me but looks at her son.

“That we can do. Besides, if we’re out here, I can ensure Emi stays out of trouble.”

My entire body straightens, my Zen disappearing as fast as the sun. “I do not get in trouble!”

“Here we go,” Travis says with a chuckle and crosses his arms, focused on me.

For a second, I think I’m staring at two Walker Scotts. They are exactly alike.

“Walker, honey, did you tell your parents I cause trouble?” I try to sound calm even though my voice is curt.

“Actually, I didn’t have to.” He smirks, leaving me with an uncomfortable feeling. He looks at his dad and mom, who both grin proudly.

“Emi, I have a confession to make,” Leslie starts. “I may or may not have pried a tad last time I was in town.”

The chill in my spine goes ice cold, and I brace.

“Turns out, I get my hair done at a salon your girlfriend works at. She wasn’t around, but my hairstylist was more than forthcoming when I mentioned my son was dating a girl named Emerson. Apparently, you’re well known.”

I’m going to kill Rachel. I swallow my drink, avoiding eye contact with Leslie. There is no telling what’s going to come out of her mouth. What are the chances that, out of all the salons in Charleston, she’d end up at Rachel’s?

“Don’t believe everything you hear. Salons are famous for catty gossip.”

“You didn’t get caught drinking underage at a bar in college and flash the officer?”

“My ID was in my bra, total accident,” I explain reasonably. That wasn’t intentional.

“And you didn’t cause a bar brawl?”

“Ummmm…” That remains an argument in my mind, but maybe I shouldn’t share the details.

Walker is openly smirking, watching me as I squirm in my chair.

“What about the time you wrecked your father’s car because—”

“That was an honest mistake. I thought there was a snake in the car.” I shudder at the memory. It was one moment in my life I thought I was going to have a complete heart attack. How was I to know he’d recently bought a new garden hose? A black garden hose closely resembles a snake.

“Exactly how long did you stay at the salon?” I ask meekly, knowing there are probably a dozen more stories she could have heard.

“Did you really win a bikini contest in Myrtle Beach when your friends dared you to enter?” Leslie goes on.

“Well...”

Walker’s enjoyment vanishes at this news, his smirk turning into a frown immediately. “Mom, maybe you should stop now.”

“Oh.” She sounds disappointed. “I didn’t mean to embarrass you, Emi. I think these things are wonderful.”

“You do?” I’m taken aback at her statement. I’d expect moms would warn their sons away from this kind of hassle.

“Yes, absolutely. It means you have spunk. I love spunk.”

Is she drunk? Or maybe it’s me. Did I hear her right?

“I may be a little impulsive,” I admit.

“Thank God. Walker needs that in his life.”

A pleasant warmth spreads through me at her words, and the expression on Walker’s face changes. He’s staring at me with what can only be described as pride and love. He was right; I adore his parents.

“Leslie, maybe we should go and let these two get some sleep,” Travis suggests.

“No, it’s still early. Besides, it’s Walker’s turn. There has to be stories you can tell me about him growing up. I’m dying to know about him as a teenager. Was he intense back then?”

“Maybe it is time for you to go,” Walker says to them.

Leslie rocks back in her chair and gives me a conspiring wink. “I’ll gladly tell you anything you want to know about Walker. He’s one of my favorite things to talk about.”

“That gives us something in common.”

Walker’s eyes come to mine and glow in that beautiful shade of blue I can see clearly.

Travis opens the cooler and hands Walker another beer, muttering something about getting comfortable for a long night. He takes it and comes to sit next to me, kissing my cheek before settling back.

I lean over to Leslie and speak quietly, hoping only she can hear. “If you want to know more about the bikini contest, I’ll tell you when we’re alone. Walker gets kinda possessive.”

She smiles sympathetically and pats my hand. “Honey, welcome to life with a Scott man.”