Emmalin
I looked at the clock. 10:00 in the morning. These pills definitely work, but I hated how long they made me sleep. I tried sitting up, and that’s when I felt the aftermath of the assault. My head was pounding, and my side hurt. I gingerly stood up, walking to the bathroom to search for some pain relievers.
I was clutching the sink with my head down, trying to endure the pain, when I jumped as hands traced my side, causing me to flinch from the pain.
“Shit, Emmalin, let me see.”
I turned away. “It’s fine. It’s nothing.” Before I could walk out, he stopped me and sat me down on the lip of the tub. He lifted my shirt gently and examined the bruises.
“It’s nothing? A man pushes himself into our room, practically chokes you to death, and you say it’s nothing? You’re sitting here bruised, and you’re saying you’re fine, it’s nothing? What the fuck, Emmalin?” He crouched in front of me, checking me over. I opened my mouth to protest, and he stopped me. “You’re no longer having a say in anything.”
He stood up, staring down at me. “How are you feeling?”
I gave a little laugh. “Like someone beat the shit out of me.” He glared down at me and clenched his jaw. Okay, not a time to joke. “I’m okay for the most part. Sore, helpless.” I wondered what adjectives I could throw out there.
He helped me up, and after getting dressed, we went down to the living room. “Can I trust you not to move while I get you something to eat?”
I rolled my eyes. “I think I’ll be fine.” I sat there, head throbbing.
“You took quite a fall.” I raised my head at the unfamiliar voice.
“We’ve never been properly introduced. I know you, but you don’t know me. I’m Jack. I’ve known Grayson quite a few years.”
I studied him tentatively before extending my hand. “Emmalin. But I guess you already knew that.” He smiled. Grayson reappeared with fruit and yogurt with granola.
“You need to eat something.”
I stared at the food. “So, what does Jack do?”
“Jack is a part of my security team, which yes, that means you now have a security detail assigned to you 24/7.”
My eyes shot between the both of them. “Are you serious?”
“My girlfriend gets attacked, and you’re asking if I’m serious about assigning a security detail? I’m very serious. You’re lucky I haven’t tied you up because that was a close second.”
I sighed. This was going to be hard. Especially if Carson was up to something. While Grayson and Jack talked, my phone dinged. An unknown number.
Unknown: We need to talk
I looked at Grayson; both he and Jack were on the phone. I don’t even know how the hell Carson got this number. I just needed to find out what he wanted and make him go away. Before I could respond, he texted back.
Unknown: Ignoring me isn’t in your best interest.
“You need to eat.” I jumped at Grayson’s voice.
“I’m not really hungry.”
He cocked his head. “That’s not really an option. Eat.” I ate a few pieces of fruit just to make him happy. I stared at my phone and replied.
Me: What do you want?
Unknown: Got ur attention. Good. I’ll send an address in a few days. Be there. Alone
Me: That may be hard to do.
Unknown: Not my problem
A wave of nausea washed over me. I still wasn’t feeling well. I sipped on the ice water, hoping it would help. Jack approached me.
"Emmalin, we've been studying the security feed from the hotel, as well as what we could get from Grayson’s laptop.” He turned the laptop toward me. "Is there any chance you know the person who attacked you?” I stared at the screen, then I looked at Grayson and Jack. I saw the way Jack was looking at me. The way he was studying me. I didn't like it. I didn't know a thing about Jack but he sure as hell knew a lot about me, and I sure as hell didn't like it one bit. I suddenly stood up, almost knocking the laptop over. "I want to talk to you now. Alone.” I glared at Jack, making sure he got the point he wasn't welcomed. He looked at Grayson. "I'll call you later.” Jack quietly left.
"Emmalin?"
"Grayson, how much does Jack know? In fact, how much does anyone know, for that matter?"
"Jack is head of my security. He knows me better than anyone."
"How much does he know about me? What I told you?”
His eyes grew wide. "Nothing! Do you think I would do something like that?”
I took a step back, needing a bit of space, and feeling overwhelmed. I was also suddenly feeling very nauseous. I ran from the living room to the nearest bathroom just in time. Grayson was behind me almost immediately, holding my hair and rubbing my back until I finished. I finally stood up, reaching for some mouthwash.
“You okay?”
I looked at him in the mirror and saw the concern etched in his eyes. “Yeah. Maybe it was the fruit.”
“The fruit was fresh. I had some myself.” Then his eyes grew wide, and a small smile crept on his face. "Come to think of it, you haven't been feeling well awhile now.” He watched me in the mirror.
"So?" I shrugged. He put his arms around me.
"We don't use condoms anymore, and I know you're on birth control, but there's always that chance.” His smile grew wider. I dropped the glass, and it shattered against the marble sink. "Jesus, Emmalin." He backed me away from the sink, and I stared down at the tiny shards of glass, broken just like me.
“I’m sorry,” I whispered. “I’ll clean this up.”
“No, I got it. You should lay down. Let’s have a lazy day before we have to join the rest of society.”