“Emmeline. That’s a lot. I don’t know…”
“Come on, Mike. I’m one of your best customers. Aren’t I?”
“Well, yes, you are, but…” She wasn’t budging and he could tell. He glanced at me and I offered the same alluring smile. “Fine. I can do that.”
“You’re a peach, darlin’.’ Now she was dragging out a Southern accent. I adored this woman more and more as time went on. “Put everything on my account.”
“Ah. Thank you. Can I talk to you for a second?” Mike asked.
“Of course.”
He took her elbow, leading her aside. It took less than thirty seconds for her to shut him down. She was masterful.
“Let’s grab a cup of coffee and not at my pastry shop. I know you want to talk.” Emme looked me directly in the eyes. “You deserve answers. I’m sorry that I’ve been very cautious.”
“You don’t need to tell me anything.”
“You’re going to find out sooner versus later about my family. Not like it’s a town secret.” We remained close to the building and that’s when I noticed a dark SUV leaving a parking space. Seconds later, I sensed they were following us.
The fear that I’d had in New York returned and I started to shake.
“What’s wrong?” Emme was concerned, gently pushing me against the side of the building.
“We’re being followed.”
She glanced over my shoulder. “Yes, we are. More for me than you, but they’ll protect you if necessary.”
“Why?”
When she looked away, it was easy to sense she wasn’t certain what to say to me. “Remember I mentioned my father being gunned down?”
“Yes.”
“He was murdered by some very bad people and my family went through sheer hell. Since then, I have had a security team. So does my mother and grandmother and the women involved with my brothers. I’m used to having them around. They don’t usually interfere because they haven’t needed to.”
“You’re mafia.”
She seemed surprised I’d figured out why, taking a few seconds to glance both ways with the sidewalk and busy street in front of us. “We are a family run operation that goes back generations doing things a little differently than typical corporate America. Does it need a label?”
“Emme, I don’t have a way of answering that truthfully.” That wasn’t a lie. “I just need to know what I’m dealing with and who I can trust.”
When she grabbed my hand, I didn’t fight her. “You really can trust me. Perhaps more than almost anyone. Let’s get that coffee. Okay?”
Nodding, I glanced over my shoulder once again as we started walking. Given my circumstances, there was a benefit to having security people around from time to time. What was I thinking? I’d done everything in my power to leave this damn life and here I was attached to another dangerous family. The two men inside the SUV were barely paying attention.
“What did Mike ask you?” I asked if for no other reason than to lighten the conversation.
“He’s asked me out for dinner about ten times and ten times I’ve told him the same thing. But he keeps trying.”
“Maybe I should learn how to wrap a man around my little finger.”
“Who are you kidding, girl?” Emme asked. “No matter what you think of my brother, I haven’t seen Jaxon that flustered around a woman ever before.”
“I don’t buy that. I can’t lie to you. He’s very… nice looking, but I don’t think we’re a match made in heaven. Although he was very nice at the event last night.” Why was I telling his sister that he was handsome? I certainly wouldn’t consider going on a date with the man even if he was interested, which he wasn’t. “I cannot believe I just told you that.”
“I just bet he was. You should meet my other brothers. But they’re all taken.”
“I’m not looking for a boyfriend, Emme. I’m happy with my life the way it is.”
