Chapter 7

Emily lay on her bed listening for Keith to come back into her apartment. She really should apologize for being such a bitch, she never treated anyone like that. Too many times in her life she’d seen people from SummerBrook treat individuals with the same disrespect, and it made her sick.

She really didn’t know where that attitude had come from, but being pinned against the wall by him was the hottest thing to happen in a long time. It should be against the law for a man to be so damn sexy.

“Damn it, Emily. What’s wrong with you?” She whispered to herself.

She turned onto her side and glanced out through her bedroom window. It was at that moment the realization of someone possibly watching her place had her shivering. If Keith hadn’t been there, maybe whoever it was would have tried to get inside. A chill ran through her entire body. When she heard a knock on her bedroom door, she bolted upright in the bed.

“Em?” It was Keith, and she relaxed.

“Yeah?” She couldn’t hide the tremor in her voice.

“May I come in?”

“Yes.” Emily pulled her comforter around her and crossed her legs.

The bedroom door opened and he stepped inside. At first, he just stood inside the door and glanced around the room. Emily stared, waiting for him to say or do something.

“Smash is going to set up cameras on the outside of the building. He’ll have access to them and will record all the footage.” Keith didn’t look at her as he stepped closer to the bed.

“Okay,” Emily pulled the blanket tighter around herself.

“I’m going to have the lock changed on the doors as well.” He took another step towards the bed as he glanced out the window.

“Why?” She studied his profile while he continued to avoid looking at her.

“Your locks suck.” He scanned her room again.

“Gee, thanks.” Emily leaned back against her headboard.

“You’re welcome.” He’d apparently missed her sarcasm. “Well, goodnight.” He turned and headed out of the room.

“Keith?” Emily sat up straight. She didn’t want him to leave her room. At least not until she said she was sorry.

“Hmm…” He didn’t turn.

“For the love of God, can you look at me for a minute?” Emily sighed. He dropped his head, and he took a deep breath before he turned and lifted his gaze to her.

“What is it, Emily?”

“I just wanted to say I’m sorry for what I said down in the salon. I was a bitch, and you didn’t deserve to be treated like that.”

“It’s fine. You’re not the first princess I’ve dealt with.” He started to turn.

“I’m not a freaking princess, and will you stop calling me that.” Emily jumped off her bed and tossed the blanket on the bed.

“I call it as I see it.” He chuckled.

“You’re an ass,” Emily shoved past him and stomped into her bathroom.

“Tell me something I don’t know,” He called out. “By the way, the stomping of those cute feet actually proves how princess like you are.”

Emily clenched her teeth and growled when she heard her bedroom door close. She’d never wanted to punch someone in her life, but right at that moment, she’d be more than happy to curl up her fist and hit Keith Ass O’Connor right in his nose.

Sunday mornings were usually her favorite day of the week. The shop was closed, but she had a few clients that couldn’t make it during weekdays, and she’d accommodate them by making their appointments on that day. Usually, it was only one or two, so she’d still have most of the day to herself.

This Sunday was different. Not only was she dead tired but she had to deal with Keith the whole day. He was going to have an issue with her doing her usual Sunday routine. She was in no mood to deal with his bossy ass either.

Emily was showered and dressed when a sweet aroma of cinnamon surrounded her. She pulled her hair up into a messy ponytail and headed out of her room. As soon as she entered the kitchen her mouth watered. Not because of the enormous pastries on her counter. It was because of the incredibly beautiful man leaning next to it holding a cup, and stuffing his mouth with the last bite of one of the buns.

“Morning. I had my cousin drop off some of her cinnamon rolls.” Keith nodded towards the counter. “I didn’t know if you liked coffee, so I had her bring coffee and tea.”

“I like tea. Thanks.” Emily picked up the cup with the large T written on the cover. When she turned back, he held out a plate with one of the warm buns sitting on it.

“It’s a peace offering.” He smiled, and she inwardly sighed.

“Let’s just forget last night. I think we’re both just tired and if I’m being honest, I was worried.” Emily sat at the table, and Keith followed suit, but not before grabbing another bun.

“I’m sure you were, but I don’t want you to worry about your safety. That’s why I’m here, and I know you want to stay here, but I’d feel better if you’d at least consider staying at the compound.” His blue gaze met hers.

“You know when you say compound, I think stone walls with bars and barbed wire.” Emily tore off a piece of the bun and popped it in her mouth. The sweet taste melted on her tongue and she moaned. “That’s so good.”

“Yeah, Isabelle’s a genius.” Keith smiled. “As for the compound, it’s not what you think. Yes, it’s highly secure, but there’s no bars or barbed wire.” He chuckled.

“That’s good to know.” Emily finished off her delicious bun and drained her cup. “But we’ll have to finish this discussion later. I have a client in thirty minutes.”

“Wait? What? It’s Sunday! Aren’t you closed today?” Keith jumped up from the chair.

“Yes it’s Sunday, and the salon is closed, but I do have clients that can’t make it during the week, so I have them come in on Sundays. It’s not like I’m a mile away from the place.” Emily rolled her eyes as she tossed her cup in the garbage.

“Emily, you’ve got to let me know these things.” Keith sighed and plopped back down on the chair.

“Okay, Keith, I’ve got a client coming today.” She smiled and sauntered out of the kitchen.

“You’re not funny, Princess.” She heard him shout as she headed back into her bedroom to grab her phone.

“Wasn’t trying to be.” Emily sing songed from her room as she fixed her makeup.

“I want your weekly schedule,” Keith said from the doorway of her bedroom.

“Well, I want to be three inches taller and twenty pounds lighter, but we can’t all get what we want.” Emily finished applying her lipstick and turned around. He’d stepped into the room and was standing mere inches from her.

“You don’t need to lose weight, and there is nothing wrong with your height. You don’t need to change anything, and I don’t want to hear you say anything like that again.” His voice was huskier than usual.

She held her breath as his hand hovered next to her cheek, but he didn't touch her. When he dropped his hand back to his side, he stepped back.

“Just don’t say things like that.” Then he left the room.

When she walked out of her bedroom, he was gone. It was doubtful that he’d left since he was dedicated to protecting her. Even in the short time she’d known him, that was the one thing she was positive of.

In the salon she found him sipping coffee and staring out through the door. For a moment, she watched him. His shoulders seemed tense, and it was the first time she’d noticed the tattoo peeking out from the sleeve of his T-shirt. It was hard to make out what it was, but the colors were incredible.

“Who’s the client?” He asked as she set up her station.

“Lizzy Bordon.” She said sarcastically. Really did he think if someone was out to hurt her that they would make an appointment to get their hair done.

“Emily, I swear you’ve got to be the most infuriating woman I’ve ever met.” He turned around, and she felt a pang of guilt.

“It’s your aunt,” Emily sighed.

“I do have more than one of those.” Now he was being sarcastic.

“Cora is coming to get her hair colored.” She told him, and as if by magic Cora Nightengale appeared in the doorway.

“Emily Bradshaw, are you giving away my secrets. I want my family to believe that I haven’t started to go gray.” Cora chuckled. “Well, my handsome nephew finally came here to see his future.”

That was Cora. She always said the strangest things to Emily, and when asked what it meant, she’d become cryptic. The woman was quirky that was for sure.

Emily’s father had known Cora for a long time, but Emily had only met her over the last couple of years. It was all thanks to her mother’s charity work. Cora had started to help Emily’s mother about two years earlier.

“Hi, Aunt Cora. I promise your secret is safe with me.” Emily’s heart fluttered when Keith bent down to kiss his aunt on the cheek. It was sweet and made the man even more appealing. If that was even possible.

“Keithy, I know it is. I’m so glad to see you here with Emily.” The woman looked giddy with happiness, and Emily had no idea why.

“Aunt Cora, I’m working for her father. He’s worried about her safety.” Keith groaned.

“I know. Who do you think suggested you?” Cora patted his cheek and walked to Emily’s station.

Emily couldn’t help but laugh when Keith slapped his hand against his forehead and rolled his eyes.

“It’s good to hear you laugh, Emily.” Cora took her hand. “Kurt says there’s still no news on your mom.” The statement made Emily’s smile fade.

People who didn’t know her probably thought Emily was heartless. Working every day when her mother was missing. The truth was it was the only way she could keep from falling apart. Whenever she thought about her mother, and where she could be, it made her chest hurt so much it was hard to breathe.

“Have you been talking to Pam lately, Aunt Cora?” Keith winked at Emily. It was as if he knew the subject of her mother was too painful to talk about.

“She calls me a couple of times a week. The conversation usually ends with me asking her when she’s coming home.” Emily didn’t know much about Cora’s daughter except she’d been living away for a long time.

“I’m guessing that usually ends the conversation pretty quickly.” Keith chuckled.

“Yes, but I don’t mean to upset her. I just miss having her in Hopedale.” Emily’s heart went out to Cora.

“I’m sure she’ll come home soon,” Keith said.

Cora didn’t say anything else about her daughter after that, and for the rest of her appointment, she chatted about the rest of her family. Although, over the last couple of months Cora seemed to focus in on Keith and how Emily really needed to meet him. It was evident Cora was trying to set her up with her nephew.

If she’d met Keith under different circumstances, there’d be a little flirting on her part. Who was she kidding? She wasn’t the flirty type. One of her ex-boyfriends once told her she didn’t know how to flirt, and that when she tried, she looked foolish. He was a huge ass sometimes, but she still tolerated him since his parents were friends with hers, or at least that’s the way it appeared.

The Palmers were the big wigs in her father’s circle, but Emily, like her siblings, avoided them whenever they could. At least as they got older. During school, it was hard to avoid them. It was how she got involved with Mitchell in the first place. At first, he’d seemed sweet and completely different from his uptight sister.

She’d been friends with him right up until she’d made the decision not to go to Dalhousie. It was when Mitchell’s family started to become nasty. Well, not nasty, things they would say were always put off as jokes, but they did sting.

It was also the reason that Mitchell’s sister had told her she should dump the ass, or at least that was what the snooty Ms. Tiffany Palmer told her. Emily did find out the truth a few weeks later. Tiffany wanted to set her brother up with one of her friends because they ran in the same circles.

It didn’t matter one way or the other to Emily. She knew in her heart that she and Mitchell weren’t meant to be. Especially, since he’d once told her, he thought he might be gay. She still wished she could be there when he finally told his family. That would be the icing on the cake.

Now, she only saw him a couple of times a year, and from what she could find out, his family was still in the dark. The only thing that bothered her when she was around him was the touchy, feely way Mitchell acted. Emily figured it was his way of making sure his secret stayed that way.

“Emily, you always do such an incredible job on my hair.” Cora studied herself in the mirror after Emily removed the cape.

“It’s easy when you work with great hair. I’m assuming it’s a family trait.” Emily said.

“It is. I’m sure you’ve seen my niece's beautiful hair, and just look at the lovely curls Keithy has.” Cora motioned to her nephew as he entered the salon.

Emily didn’t miss his eye roll or the way his jaw clenched, but she wasn’t sure if it was because of the compliment or the name Cora used. It was evident that something bothered him.

“Aunt Cora, Uncle Brian is outside.” Keith held up her coat. There was no doubt he’d been taught to be a gentleman.

“Here’s your coat, what’s your hurry, huh, Keithy?” Cora adjusted her scarf around her neck.

“Not at all.” Keith smiled, and Emily’s stomach fluttered. He wasn’t even smiling at her, and it made her swoon. She grabbed the broom and quickly busied herself sweeping up the hair.

“We need to chat, Princess.” Emily almost tripped over her feet when she felt his warm breath blow across her neck.

“Stop. Calling. Me. That.” Emily turned and poked Keith in the chest for every word.

“Ms. Bradshaw, we need to chat.” The quirk of his lips made her want to punch him.

“Chat away.” Emily crossed her arms over her chest, but she didn’t miss his glance down to her cleavage. When his eyes came back up, she raised an eyebrow. He didn’t seem the least bit embarrassed about being caught. With a smirk, he motioned to the row of chairs lined against the large bay window at the front of the shop.

Emily plopped down in the chair, and Keith sat on the table in front of her. The first thought she had was how the table was going to hold up the weight of the giant man in front of her. He rested his elbows on his knees and stared at her.

“You said there was only one entrance to this building.” Keith began, and Emily nodded.

“Smash and Crash were doing a check around the building…” Keith stopped when Emily let out a huge laugh.

“Crash? You know the names of these guys are not making me feel very safe.” She chuckled.

“Crash is a nickname. His real name is Brent Adams.” Keith shook his head.

“What’s your nickname? Sourpuss?” Emily giggled.

“It’s Rusty for obvious reasons, but only the guys call me that. Nobody else.” He raised an eyebrow, and something told her that she probably shouldn’t try to use it.

“Continue.” Emily motioned her hand in a circle.

“There’s another entrance at the back of the building,” Keith said.

“It was, but it’s sealed,” Emily said. “I was told I couldn’t close it off entirely because of fire regulations.”

“It was sealed.” Keith put the emphasis on the ‘was’ and it was as if someone poured a glass of ice water down her back.

“Wh…what do you mean?” Emily wrapped her arms around herself.

“Someone opened it.” He reached out and placed a comforting hand on her knee. The heat from it radiated up her leg to warm her entire body. Calming her. “Em, it was opened from the outside. I’ve called Uncle Kurt, and he’s sending someone over to check for prints, and Smash is going to reinforce the door. This is why we need to chat.” Keith met her gaze, and she knew what he was going to say.

“I can’t stay here at night.” Emily sighed.

“No.” He said.

“I’m not going to SummerBrook.” Not only would the drive back and forth every day be a pain in the ass but being in her family home would be too difficult with her mother missing. It was heartbreaking to see what it had done to her siblings and her father. He’d aged in the last few weeks, and although she hadn’t seen him in a few days, her sister was keeping her updated.

 “There’s only one other choice,” Keith said.

Emily wasn’t sure how comfortable she was going to be staying in a place with a bunch of men. Not that she worried about them doing anything, but she really didn’t know any of them. Keith’s new sister-in-law, Sandy O’Connor, worked for Newfoundland Security Services, but she was on her honeymoon and then she was going on maternity leave.

“Will I have my own room?” Now she really did sound like a princess.

“What do you think we all live in a one room barracks?” Keith chuckled. “Emily, there are eight cottages on my property. Each one has two bedrooms with their own bathrooms, as well as full kitchens, and living rooms. They all have cable and wifi as well. My house has four bedrooms with their own bathrooms and a huge kitchen. There’s also a fully functional gym on the property.”

“Are you telling me I need to work out?” Emily narrowed her eyes, but of course, she was joking. He’d made it clear earlier that he didn’t think she was overweight.

“Don’t put words in my mouth, Princess.” He warned.

“I guess I really don’t have much choice.” Emily sighed. She didn’t even care that he called her princess.

“I’ll call your dad and let him know.” Keith stood up and pulled out his phone.

“Dad knows about all this?” Emily groaned

“One of his stipulations was to keep him in the loop.” If she didn’t know better, she’d think Keith was almost sorry about giving her father any information. Maybe he was, but she knew her dad and when he wanted information he had his way of getting it.

“Great! That’s just the melted butter on the hot homemade bread.” Emily slouched down in the chair and rested her head on the back of the chair.

“Well, that’s one I’ve never heard before.” Keith chuckled. Emily lifted her head so she could glare at him, but the way he was gazing down at her made her body tense.

“He’s worried, Em. Don’t give him such a hard time.” Keith’s voice sounded deeper than usual, and it was odd to hear him call her Em. He’d used the name a couple of times, but the only ones that called her the short version of her name were close friends, and she’d only known the man for less than two days. So why did she feel like she’d known him her whole life?

“Where exactly will I be staying?” Emily didn’t have time to think about how connected she felt to a complete stranger. She needed to know where she was going to be hanging her hat for the next little while.

“My house.” He said as he disappeared outside.