“I know. Granted, with coming from a Cajun family, very creative. However, I ran home in tears, absolutely hysterical. We had a family meeting, including my two brothers who were in college and that’s when I learned my father was involved with various criminal activities. I also learned we came from a long line, my grandfather and great-grandfather starting the family business. Through the years and with Alexander at the helm, we’ve become more legitimate, but our roots still stand. My bubble was burst when I was thirteen, but I learned over the years that everything that people said had been true. There are hundreds of amazing things about my family though.”
“Look at you. You’re an amazing woman. A business owner. You give to charities and other businesses. You’re so kind to everyone. Look what you’ve done for me.”
“My mother says I’m overcompensating, but because of how my family handled business, we’re all very rich. I feel blessed whereas the stress of keeping one step ahead of our enemies has aged my brothers and had taken so much of the joy from their lives.”
“How many enemies do you have?”
Her hand was shaking when she slipped her fingers through her long hair. She was so much like Jaxon that I was shocked I hadn’t seen the resemblance. “They come and go, but enough that I do understand the danger we’re constantly in. Jaxon believes we have an old enemy rearing their ugly heads.”
“I couldn’t take that.” It felt very much like my cue to let her in on my secret, but doing so meant exposing an aspect of myself that I’d learned to hate.
“You either learn that worrying about your life and what’s going to happen every day will eventually drive you mad, or you can choose to enjoy and live your life the way you want. That’s why I fight my brothers so hard to keep my independence from the business and sometimes from the family.”
“That’s what I’ve always wanted. True independence.” I could tell she was looking at me, waiting for me to finish an open-ended thought. “Did Jaxon tell you that I ran into him yesterday morning? This was before we clashed a block away from Indulgence.”
“He mentioned it in passing.”
“He was about to kill some people.” I lifted my head and this time, she didn’t shy away from my concentrated gaze. Finally, she glanced around us to ensure no one was paying attention.
“If anyone was hurt, there was a good reason for it. I know this sounds ridiculous to you, but there are some truly evil people out there who have no thought about destroying lives or killing others. That’s not my family. We respond to threats and then act accordingly.”
“I get it. I really do.” The way Emme was biting her lip was a clear indication she wanted to ask me something very personal. “What? Just ask.”
“Okay, I will. Who hit you? Don’t you dare try and tell me that bullshit about a dancer kicking you in the face or the two thugs that just happened to attack you. I know a knuckle bruise whenI see one. Is that part of the reason you rushed to come to New Orleans?”
I touched my face, trying to keep from showing her any emotions. “It’s no big deal.”
“Anna, people who hurt women don’t stop until someone makes them stop. Do you understand what I’m saying?”
“Don’t worry about me, Emme. I’m fine. I’m here. I’m safe.”
“All I’m telling you is that you really can trust Jaxon. Tell him what happened.”
“And what if I do? What then?”
The way she shrugged was enough of an answer for someone who’d grown up with having few friends and people terrified of what my father could do. It would be too easy to utilize their protection. Well, it would be if Jaxon didn’t think I was one of his enemies.
“Then he’ll assess how best to handle erasing your issue.”
I could feel my entire body quivering. “You mean he’d hunt them down and kill them.”
She took a slow and easy sip of her latte, once again locking eyes with mine. “Yes.”
It took a full minute to accept her admittance. “No. I…” I was ready to tell her that was one reason I’d run from Italy as a child. “It’s not that bad.”
“O-kay. If it gets too bad, you need to trust me enough to confide in me.”
“I’ll try. Why does your brother think I’m the bad guy? He’s certain I’m working for someone. I’m not. Is this about the enemy you mentioned?”
Emme touched my arm. “Maybe, but I know you’re not. You’re just a girl all alone in this world trying to find her place. I showed him your incredible dance with the New York Ballet last night. He was… mesmerized. I think maybe you two should talk.”
Now I felt like a total shit in lying to her.
“It’s because I’m Italian.”
Her smile was haphazard. “You should talk to him.”
“We’ll just argue.”
