Emmett went back to signing. When Edan gasped and Tommy cursed loudly, he figured Emmett had told them about the assholes wanting information on Kian.
He looked over his shoulder, trying to focus long enough to see if Kian’s bike was in the lot. No dice, which meant he was likely riding around somewhere alone and unprotected. Kaz would likely try to beat some sense into him once he returned. He couldn’t blame Kian for taking off, though. Aside from being pissed at Dante, learning that he was the reason for Emmett’s kidnapping?at least the second part?had to weigh heavily on him.
He wanted to be mad at Kian for whatever had made those sick assholes interested in him, but it was as if his heart had run out of anger once Emmett was at his side. He knew Kian would never have done anything to put Emmett in danger.
While looking for Kian, he’d clearly missed important parts of the conversation going on between Emmett and his family because the next thing he knew, Emmett was stepping toward Travis, saying, “Please just listen?”
“Let’s go,”Travis signed, the fear in his eyes doing nothing to negate the anger in the clench of his jaw.
When Emmett didn’t move, Travis grabbed him by the hand and tugged, but Emmett pulled free and signed,“Stop!”
Travis froze, disbelief in his eyes as he shook his head.
Emmett took a step back, then another, until his back was against Wilder’s front. He wrapped his arms around Emmett’s middle, meeting the gaze of each of his fathers in turn, hoping they saw the pride and love he felt for their son in his eyes as he raised his chin.
“I love him. Wilder is my home,” Emmett said as he signed. “He’s where I want to be.”
Edan and Tommy exchanged a look, Edan signing something that had Tommy dropping his head back with a groan.
“Fine,” Tommy said, throwing his hands up. He turned his gaze on Wilder, that threat still visible in his eyes. “I guess we should get to know you, Mr.-No-Lastname.”
He nearly smiled at that, especially when Emmett chuckled as Edan grabbed Tommy’s hand and tugged him toward the front door, throwing a narrow-eyed look at Wilder over his shoulder. Miles followed them, an arm around Jane as he waved everyone else inside.
His head was so messed up that he hadn’t noticed the men and women standing around them. He needed a fucking nap.
Emma stepped around Travis, raising her hands to sign, but the sharp shake of his head had her dropping them. She straightened, lifting her chin, but even with his wobbly vision, Wilder could see the tears lining her eyes as Travis walked away.
He heard gravel crunching under Travis’s shoes and then a car door slammed, the engine starting with a loud roar that sent a sharp sting of pain through his skull.
“He’ll come around,” Emmett said, his voice soft.
Emma clenched her jaw and met Emmett’s gaze for a second before she turned on her heels and walked away.
His body was protesting every breath he took, but he ignored it, holding onto the man he loved. He pressed a kiss to Emmett’s cheek.
He hadn’t realized he was leaning on Emmett before he turned around in his arms, and he needed to lock his knees to stay upright.
“We need to get you inside,” Emmett said, his brow furrowed in concern.
“Two more minutes?”
Emmett chuckled and wrapped his arms around the back of Wilder’s neck, eyes shining brightly as he said, “I love you.”
He cupped Emmett’s face with one hand, the other on the small of his back as he rested his forehead against Emmett’s, breathing in that sweet scent he was starting to crave. He couldn’t live without it. Without the man it belonged to.
“I love you.”
CHAPTER FOURTY
Wilder
WHILE HE enjoyed having Emmett’s undivided attention, he could do without the headache and sore muscles. Emmett was sticking to Emma’s orders of ‘no strenuous activities,’ and aside from the two hours he’d been allowed out to celebrate the opening of the gym, he’d been forced to stay in bed for days. Having Emmett right there and not being able to do everything he wanted to with him was pure fucking torture.
“You need anything? Something to drink?”
He raised his head, biting back a sigh as he met Emmett’s gaze. He was standing by the foot of the bed, hands on his hips as he looked down at Wilder.
“I’m fine.”
