I fix the coffee how I like it, not caring whether it’s rude that I’m helping myself to whatever is available in the fridge.
I lean my hip against the counter. “I want answers. Why am I here, Emris? Why are you talking about Susie?” I try not to stress, but it’s hard. I don’t like not knowing. Having control issues is a fucking bitch in situations like this.
“Your boss is mixed up in some shit she shouldn’t be.” Carson pipes up, sipping his own coffee on the other side of the island. “We need to talk to her, but it seems like she’s disappeared.” There’s a strain in Emris’s jaw as he sends Carson a death glare.
“What do you meandisappeared?” Setting my mug down on the counter, I wait for an answer. Carson doesn’t hesitate because, clearly, they’re fighting, and this is his form of retaliation against Emris.
“You know, likegone? No one has seen her at The Whiskey. We even—” Carson stops when Emris gives him a look that would shut any sane person up.
“You even what?” I look between them, but neither of them answers me.
“Someone better tell me what the rest of that sentence is before I lose my fucking shit.” I stand to my full height and I cross my arms, feeling whatever patience I had left evaporates.
“You’re in no position to demand answers here, Brielle. If you haven’t forgotten, we are the ones who took you, not the other way around. You belong to me and only me. I don’t have to tell you a goddamn thing.”
“Fuck this and fuck you, Emris.” Not being able to control myself, I grab my cup off the counter and go back to the one place that somewhat feels like mine, praying he will leave me the fuck alone.
18
EMRIS
I runa hand down my face as Brielle storms out of the kitchen, only stopping to grab the coffee cup. This girl is proving to be a fucking handful.
“What’s your plan with her?” Carson asks, sitting back down with a sigh, calmer now than when Brielle first came down.
“I’m trying to hold off on giving her too much info. The less she knows, the better.” I glance at him and see he isn’t buying it. He knows that if I give her the truth, she’ll more than likely find a way to leave. She could if she really wanted to, but where is she going to go? She has no one, and as much as I feel for her, I want to beherperson. The one she leans on.
And I will be.
“Ray, Troy, and Ash are coming to chill tomorrow. Fire in the front?” Carson changes the subject, downing the rest of his coffee.
“Yeah, I’ll grab some beer when I’m in town later.” I drink the rest of my lukewarm coffee and set my cup in the sink. “I need to get some shit for Brielle.”
“I’d ask if you need help, but I don’t think I need to be there while you buy bras and whatever other shit she’ll need.” He lets out a laugh before stepping out the backdoor and into the yard.
She needs to come with me, but part of me isn’t ready to be around her. I need to take a step back and figure things out in my head, because right now, what’s right from wrong is all mixed up. It seems like she’s not the type of girl who gives up when she wants something. She’ll ask questions I’m not ready to answer, but on the other hand, I want to spend as much time with her as possible.
I rap my knuckles against the door, gaining her attention. She jumps, and her head swings at me. “Let’s go.”
“Where are we going?” she asks but stands anyway. She has one of my shirts on and a pair of shorts, and as much as I love seeing her in my clothes, she needs ones that fit her.
“Town.”
The bellon the door goes off when we enter the shop. Brielle keeps her distance, but I don’t think I need to worry about her trying to take off anymore. After the words I said to her this morning, I owe her an apology—but she won’t get it, because I wasn’t lying. Yes, my words were harsh, but there was truth to them. She has no one and nowhere to go. Being with me is her only option, and I think she knows that. It’s now my job to keep her safe.
“Welcome in! What can I help you find today?” The woman directs her question to me, completely ignoring Brielle, which kinda pisses me off.
“We are here to buy a whole new wardrobe.” I smile at her and she blushes before looking over at Brielle, her smile dropping slightly.
I look down at the employee, bringing her attention back to me when I snap my fingers in front of her. She blinks rapidly, her face heating as a flirty smile appears once again.
“What’s your name?” I ask.
“Emma,” she says confidently, her smile widening now that my attention is back on her.
“Well, Emma, please show us your best selections. My girl can get whatever she wants.” I hold my hand out, and Brielle looks at it for half a second before sliding her palm against mine, her grip firm and almost possessive.
Hmm. Weird switch up, but okay.
