Lucas

Ben’s last words echo loudly in my thoughts as I enter the kitchen in search of coffee. To my surprise, I find Embree standing at the counter, her back turned to me. Her soft, wavy brown locks are piled high in a messy bun, and though I adore the beautiful casual dresses she wears most days, this is the look I love seeing her in the most. She’s dressed in her favorite loose-fitting joggers, adorned with butterflies and flowers that remind her of her father. The simple white t-shirt she’s paired it with reveals a hint of the perfect creamy skin at her waist. For the first time in almost two weeks, my girl looks relaxed. Content.

That in mere moments I’ll be pulling the rug out from under her yet again leaves me feeling so damn worthless. My job is not only to protect her from the evil of this world, but to shield her from the pain and heartache that seems to test her strength at every turn. Back when we were kids, I prided myself in knowing this girl like the back of my hand, to the point I could tell when she needed rescuing from her tendency to overthink.

It was so much easier back then, probably because the trust between us and the universe hadn’t been broken. We navigated the world, confident in our belief that only good things happen to good people and that eventually we’d all get our happily ever after. Now that we know the harsh truth of how the world works, every move, every choice, feels like we’re standing on the edge of a proverbial cliff. Unable to see the bottom. Not knowing what awaits at the other end of that dreaded fall—whether certain doom or the happiness you long for—paralyzes you into inaction. This is why even with all the red flags plaguing our relationship, I’ve yet to push her for the answers I know I deserve.

Ben was right about that, at least. I do need to man the hell up and stop handling her with kid gloves, and I will. Another day. For today I have the misfortune of bearing the news of her stepfather’s betrayal, and that the man who terrorized and threatened the life of both her and the girls is back and most likely looking for her.

“Hey, sweetheart.” I wrap my arms around her waist and pull her back against my chest. Planting a quick kiss on her temple, I breathe in her fresh, summery scent. “You’re up early.”

 “I couldn’t fall back to sleep. Figured I might as well start breakfast, so it’s ready for the girls when they wake up.” After setting her coffee mug on the counter, she turns to face me. “Everything okay with Ben?”

“Ben stopped by with some news.” Determined to do this right, I take her by the hand and lead her to take a seat at the small kitchen table.

“I’m almost afraid to ask.”

Taking a seat next to her, I bring her hand up to my lips and give it a gentle kiss. “The situation is under control, so it’s okay if you’d rather not know.”

“With my track record, I’m not sure burying my head in the sand is a good idea.”

“Trusting us to handle things on your behalf isn’t you burying your head in the sand. It’s what we’re here for. We’re your team, remember? Our job is to guide and support you as we work together to find a solution. You’re not alone anymore. You’re surrounded by people who love you and feel honored to help shoulder your burdens. Either way, how much you know or don’t know is entirely your call, sweetheart.”

Glassy eyes stare back at me as she contemplates my words. “I think I’d rather know.”

My brave girl.

“Agent Hunt reached out to Ben last night to inform us that Harold visited FBI offices looking to speak to the person in charge of the investigation involving you and Creed.” She gasps and when she tries to pull away, I double down, cupping her hand between both of mine. “Hunt handled it so no harm done, but he needs us to make it clear to Harold he is not to ever do that again. Ben and Owen are digging into his past to find leverage we can use to force him to back down.”

“He was there to give me up to the FBI?” A lone tear breaks free from the corner of her eye.

“He was there because he’s an egotistical loser who got his feelings hurt and wanted to retaliate. Hunt spoke to him, and I promise you have nothing to worry about.”

“How could Mom let him do this to me?”

“I’m not her biggest fan, sweetheart, so in no way am I trying to defend her, but I wouldn’t be surprised if he did it behind her back. If you think back to the night of that failed dinner, you made it clear you didn’t want Harold near the girls again. At no point did your mother come to his defense, nor did she declare she’d stick by him. You essentially threw down the gauntlet that night and your mother’s silence spoke volumes. He knows your two little girls are the one thing he can’t compete against when it comes to your mother. My bet is he did this on his own, to get you out of the way so your mom wouldn’t have to choose between him and the girls. He knows that’s a choice he’ll never win.”

“I want to believe that’s true, but after everything I’ve learned recently…” she drops her eyes, as more silent tears fall.

“What is it, Emb?” I tuck an errant lock of hair behind her ear, allowing my fingers to linger over her soft, warm skin. As much as I want to pull her into my arms, it’s more important I keep her talking. “What did you learn?”

“Remember how my mom was never around that last year before everything happened?” I nod, remembering how upset and confused she was by her father’s indifference that his wife no longer slept in their house and came and went as she pleased. “It turns out she was having an affair. With Harold.” Fuck! “An affair that continued while my dad was sick, which explains why she moved him into our house and married him so soon after Daddy died. I think she left him to die alone, Lucas.” Her facial expression twists into a pained look while her chin trembles with grief. “She left him to die alone.” Her composure breaks with a hard sob, so I pull her into my arms.

“I’m sorry, sweetheart. I’m so fucking sorry.” As emotion chokes me up, I think back to the man who stepped up for my sister and me after my parents died. While Uncle George had always been a meek and mild man, after the fire, he became our staunch protector. He was there in all the ways that mattered that harrowing week before the funeral, and he stood by our side on that horrible day we said our final goodbyes. He was loving and selfless, even while fighting his own battle with a cancer diagnosis he’d yet to share with the rest of us. The thought there is truth to what Embree suspects is devastating.

When her tears finally dry and she pulls back, I tilt her chin up so I can kiss those tender lips. It’s a soft touch with just enough pressure to let her know how badly I wish I could take away her pain. “He deserved better. And so did you.”

“We all deserved better, Luc. All of us.” She cups the side of my face and brushes her lips against mine. “What else? I can tell there’s more.”

Taking her hands I intertwine our fingers. “You’re very perceptive, Miss. Barrett.” I give her a weak smile and kiss the inside of her wrists.

“Not really, I just know you and can see there’s more.”

“Former Agent Robert Kessler was spotted outside your house yesterday.” I blurt the words, figuring it best to just rip off the Band-Aid. It’s a miscalculation on my part, for in less than a heartbeat her eyes go wide and a whimper escapes her lips. Giving her hands a gentle squeeze, I try to reassure her, “The security system worked as it should. We got him on video and he left within two minutes of when he arrived.”

“He was there for me?” The shake in her voice breaks my fucking heart while simultaneously churning the murderous rage that demands I hunt that bastard down so I can exact retribution for all he’s done to her.

“We don’t know for sure.” I inwardly flinch at the half-truth. I hate lying to her, even if it’s necessary. “But I don’t want you worrying about this, Emb. Ben’s in touch with Agent Hunt and he’s confirmed the FBI is looking for him.”

“Why does it feel like the universe is conspiring against me?”

“Hey,” I cup the sides of her face, desperate to ease the look of utter desolation that’s extinguishing her light. “The universe isn’t conspiring against you, sweetheart. If it were, fate wouldn’t have brought us back together. All this… What we’re dealing with won’t last forever. Someday it will all be behind us and you and I, we’ll be stronger because of it. We’re in this together.” I drop my forehead against hers and close my eyes. “For now and always,” I whisper with newfound determination. 

It’s another thing Ben was right about. 

I need to make it clear to this woman that I don’t intend to ever let her go.

Want to read ahead? The next 2 Chapters are available FREE if you FOLLOW ME on REAM!!! (https://reamstories.com/arianaclarkauthor)

Please remember to like, comment, & review. For updates on this and future stories, remember to follow me.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Author’s Note:

Given everything going on, I can see why Lucas isn't pushing Embree for answers.

What do you think of this scene? Do you think Lucas is right to hold off on the tough discussion he and Emilia clearly need to have?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

NEW CHAPTERS post at 3:00 PM EST on Tuesdays & Thursdays!!!