The agent drops the cup on the floor, his expression frozen like he’s seen a ghost, but then that shock turns into a nasty glare. “Don’t worry, Mr. Lopez. I’ll take real good care of her once I lock you away,” he sneers.
Emmanuel’s jaw ticks. I take hold of his handand start to walk away. Emmanuel doesn’t budge, though.
“E?”
At the sound of my voice, he seems to snap out of his stare-off with the agent and then he lets me drag him out of the coffee shop.
My hands are shaking. I do not like confrontation. I hate it. I will stand up to anyone who is threatening someone I love, though. And that asshole was threatening Emmanuel. I don’t care what they think he’s done.
Okay, I’m pretty sure he did cut the hands off those judges, but I’m not asking him. And I don’t care. They deserved it. They were not innocent men. Emmanuel has stuck to his word by not putting innocent family members in the line of fire. For that, I’m thankful.
He pauses me in the middle of the mall. “Evie, stop.”
Turning to him, I blink away the tears. I don’t want to cry, but I’m so frustrated and emotional right now. I feel helpless. I want to be able to make sure no one can touch Emmanuel. I just have no idea how to do that.
“I’m going to fucking kill him,” Emmanuel growls. His finger wipes under myeye. “I’m sorry.”
I shake my head. “You can’t kill him, E. He’s a cop.”
“I will kill anyone who brings tears to your eyes, Evie. I don’t care if they’re the fucking Pope.”
“Okay, pretty sure the Pope is never going to make me cry. But it’s not him. It’s me.” I shrug. “I’m just… frustrated. I feel helpless, E. You are out there doing all kinds of unspeakable things to make me feel safe, and what am I doing? Getting coffee and planning a new store with my friend. I want to be able to make the world a safe place for you too, and I can’t.”
Emmanuel gives me a puzzled look. “Evie, you do more than make the world a safe place. You make it a better place. You give me peace,” he says. “Besides, I like doing unspeakable things to anyone who threatens to hurt you, or has in the past. It’s become my new favorite hobby.”
“Is the list done?” I ask.
“It’s done.” He nods.
“Thank you. Now, can you take me home?”
“Yes.”
“Wait… I need to get Charlotte. I left her at the store.”
Emmanuel’s hand grips mine firmly as we walk back towards the store. This is the first time he’s seeing it. “This is a nice spot,” hesays.
“It is,” I agree. “I still can’t believe it’s mine.”
“Hey.” Charlotte looks up from where she’s sitting on the floor. She’s got catalogues spread out in front of her. “What happened?” She jumps to her feet. “I don’t care how scary you think you are, Emmanuel. I will gut you if you make her cry.” She’s in his face within seconds.
“Okay, calm down. It wasn’t him,” I tell her.
“Why were you crying, then?” she asks me.
“I wasn’t. It was one tear that escaped. It’s nothing,” I say, carefully wiping under my eye.
“There’s a fed sniffing around. He’s approached Evie twice now when she’s been alone. Don’t let her be alone again,” Emmanuel explains.
“What? Why am I always the last to know these things?” Charlotte throws her arms in the air before pointing an accusatory finger at me. “You should have told me.”
“You’re honeymooning. I’m not ruining your happiness with my shit any more than I have,” I tell her.
“Fine. I call an end to the honeymoon stage. Right now. It’s over. From now on, you tell me everything,” she says.
“You can’t just call an end to the honeymoon stage. That’s not how it works.” I laugh.
“Yeah, well, I just did,” Charlotte says. “I mean it, Evie. I want to know what’s happening with you.”
