I took the long way to work the next morning, my head still spinning over what had happened the night before.

I hoped that I could just back off Emily and things would be okay. In my mind, she’d understand why I was putting distance between us. I turned my phone off, or at least disabled its Marauder’s Map, so that I wouldn’t show up. I thought maybe that was enough, but clearly I was totally mistaken.

She knew as well as I did how messed up what we were doing was. I didn’t want to end it, not at all, which is probably why I was taking the cowardly way out and avoiding her. That was pretty fucked up in itself, and definitely a mistake. She deserved better than that, but I realized that truth way too late.

She looked fucking gorgeous standing in my room wearing nothing but that lingerie. Emily is perfect, her body absolutely stunning, and she probably didn’t even realize it. I could tell how nervous she was as soon as she came into my room and said that line. My cock was instantly hard, and I knew that if I didn’t turn away, I’d do something we’d both really regret.

I wanted to explain. If she knew about the note and what that meant, she would totally understand. But clearly she was too hurt, because she ran out of there. Evelyn came outside after her little speech and convinced me to let her go, otherwise I would have followed and explained. Evelyn said Emily would need time, and so I had to give that to her.

I should have just taken her right then and there, even if it was a bad idea. She wanted it as much as I did, and that was all that mattered to me. Fuck anyone that didn’t understand what we had or thought it was wrong. Things were too fucking complicated for some outsiders to really judge us.

Instead, I tried to be responsible. For the first time in my life, I really was thinking about what was best for her and doing that over my own desires. If I followed my heart, I would have torn that lingerie off her and fucked her rough on my bed without a second thought. Instead, I thought that turning away and trying to explain was the best thing.

Clearly, I fucked up and I had no clue how to fix it.

I’d never been in a position like this before. In the past, if some chick got pissed about something I did, I just walked away from her. I didn’t have time for petty bullshit drama. This was different, though. This was all my fault, although that never really mattered in the past. Suddenly I gave a shit if I hurt Emily, probably because I cared about her more than just for her body. I cared about her as a person, and I was finding myself ever more drawn to her with each minute we spent together.

As I entered the office building and rode the elevator up, I couldn’t believe I was obsessing about this. I really wouldn’t have given it a second thought just a year ago, or maybe I would have if it were Emily. Maybe I was changing, but maybe also I had found someone that I wanted for more than just her pussy and her lips. Emily wasn’t just a piece of ass for me.

I kept seeing her face as she stormed away from me. It was so vulnerable, so clearly broken and hurt. It probably took a lot for her to do what she did that night, to come into my room in person and put herself out there like that. Having me turn her down was probably a nightmare for her, and something she was really terrified of. I was such a stupid ass.

I just wished I could explain. I’d try again later, after work, after she had some time to process and calm down. Evelyn was probably right, she just needed a breather.

Still, the look on her face would haunt me. That pure hurt, and all because of me.

I got into my office, depressed and angry. It took me a couple of minutes before I noticed the note that was left on the side of my desk, folded over once and with my name on it.

I unfolded it, assuming it was something from Evelyn. Instead, it was another note with letters cut out from magazines, and it scared the fuck out of me.

Carter, You will be Hurt very soon. Watch Out for that Daughter of yours. She’s in Danger. Step down Or Else.

I read the note one more time then immediately called Cox. I explained the situation to him and he agreed to double security.

“Where’s Emily right now?” I asked him.

“I’m not sure, sir,” he admitted. “She’s not showing up on the monitors.”

“Can you find her? Make sure she’s okay.”

“Of course.

“Good. Do it now.”

“I’ll get right on it.”

I hung up the phone and leaned back in my chair. I reread the note two more times before standing up.

Fuck waiting around for Cox to do something. I didn’t need to be in the office. What I needed was to make sure that Emily was safe, and I was going to feel like a piece of shit if I just sat around doing nothing.

I had to find her. I’d show her the notes and explain to her what had happened the night before. She’d have to understand.

I was going to keep her safe. I quickly left my office, ignoring Evelyn’s questions as I continued forward, set on my purpose.