by L. P. Dover
“We can’t wait to see you,” Andrea gushed. “I miss our late night talks. Plus, it’ll be around Christmas when the baby’s due. We can celebrate the holidays together.”
“Yes, definitely. I can’t wait.”
We said our goodbyes and I hung up the phone. I missed my family and friends more than anything. Being able to travel was nice, but I was mostly alone.
“Emma,” a deep, smooth voice called out.
Chills ran down my arms and my pulse spiked. I wasn’t expecting to see him so soon. What was he doing out here? I turned and watched Wade Chandler walk toward me, dressed in a white button-down and gray pants.
“Mr. Chandler,” I blurted, getting to my feet. Running my hands over my ponytail, I could feel the knots from where the wind blew my hair.
Wade climbed the stairs to the gazebo, his posture tall and straight. “You can call me Wade,” he said. I nodded and smiled, hoping my nervousness didn’t show through. “My father told me you were out here. I hope you don’t mind.”
He had dark hair like Glenn, but his eyes were a bright blue, whereas Glenn’s were green. He had three other brothers, who all shared the same looks and build, but they didn’t work for Chandler Enterprises.
“No, not at all. I see you got into town safely. Traffic wasn’t bad, was it?” I asked, trying to make small talk. I hated silence in a conversation. If we were going to work together twenty-four-seven, we had to be able to talk to each other.
He leaned against the gazebo, his posture slowly relaxing. “There was a bit in Columbia, but nothing more than that.”
“That’s good.”
His gaze landed on the notepad. “What are you working on?”
Shrugging, I felt the heat rise to my cheeks. “Songs. I dabble in song-writing when I have time. I figured since your dad hadn’t needed me here recently, I’d give it a go again.” I looked up at him and he actually smiled.
“That sounds interesting. I love a good song. What kind do you write?”
He was definitely winning points with me. Maybe he wouldn’t be so bad to work for. “Mainly pop rock. I was in a band in college. Always thought we’d make it to the big time, but that didn’t happen.” Clearing my throat, I picked up the notebook. “I guess we should probably head back and get ready for dinner, huh? Your father said there’s someone else joining us tonight?”
Wade nodded. “A friend of the family. Why don’t I walk you back and we can talk on the way?”
“Sounds good.”
Wade’s arm brushed against mine as we made our way across the street. “My father tells me he brought up the idea of you working for me when he hands the company over.”
I nodded. “He did.”
“Is that something you’d be interested in?”
“Of course.” I made eye contact. “I said as much to your father.”
“Yes, I know. But I wanted to hear it from you,” he stated, keeping his eyes on mine. We stopped on the sidewalk and I faced him.
“Did you not believe him?” I asked with a laugh.
His gaze narrowed as if he was trying to figure me out. “I didn’t think you’d agree to it. My father and I are two different men, Emma. Things might be a little more complicated working for me.”
“You have nothing to worry about, as far as I’m concerned. I can handle a challenge.”
His lip tilted up slightly in an amused smile. “I look forward to seeing you in action. How about we grab some drinks after dinner? It’ll give us a chance to get to know each other.”
“Okay,” I agreed with a nod. “But I must warn you . . . there’s nothing exciting to learn about me.”
We crossed the street to Glenn’s house and he opened the front gate. “For some reason, I don’t believe that’s true. There’s more to you than you think.”
I slipped on my brand new, silky blue dress and checked my hair and makeup in the mirror. Normally, I wouldn’t care about the way I looked so much, but I had to keep up appearances since I was employed by the Chandler’s. They wouldn’t exactly want me parading around in yoga pants like I did before I started working for them.
Opening my bedroom door, I could already smell the meal Mrs. Walker was making. Hopefully, I wouldn’t spill food on my dress and look like an idiot. I had a habit of dropping food on my clothes. Cliff and Andrea used to laugh at me all the time when we’d go out because I’d always have to make a trip back to the dorms to change.
When I got downstairs to the dining room, Glenn and Wade were already there, speaking to each other in hushed tones by the large window. There were shiny plates on the table, with all sorts of silverware around them. Start from the outside and work your way in, was what I was told when it came to using the various forks and spoons. Give me just one of each and I’d be happy.
It wasn’t long before Glenn noticed me at the door and the conversation ceased. “Emma, you look lovely tonight,” he announced.
I smiled. “Thank you.”
He beckoned me over to the table and Wade held out a seat for me. I sat down and he took the one on the right, while Glenn sat on my left at the head of the table. There was only one other place setting and it was across from me.
“Wine?” Glenn asked, holding up the bottle.
I nodded. “Sure.”
He poured me a glass and I took a sip. It tasted like heaven, all fruity and crisp. It was so good I had to take another sip, and another, while we waited on the special guest. Not even a minute later, the dining room door opened and a man walked in. Only, he wasn’t just anyone.
It’d been eight years and he’d surely changed, but there was no mistaking those gray eyes. His hair was the same light brown, and mussed up like all the guys did their hair these days. However, his body looked totally different. His cream colored, long-sleeve sweater hugged a set of muscular arms, and his face was more rugged, covered in a five o’clock shadow.
I almost choked on my wine. “Oh my God.” Is it really him?
“Emma, are you okay?” Wade asked, his voice low.
“Yeah,” I whispered. “I’m fine.”
I waited for Preston to look at the table, and when his gaze finally caught mine, he paused for a slight second. In his face, I could see the friend I lost so long ago, but it vanished quickly.
Glenn and Wade both stood when Preston approached, and I shot up out of my seat, bumping the table with my jerky movements. Glenn grinned at me and then at Preston. “Preston Hale, I’d like you to meet Emma Turner. She’s my assistant. Emma, this is Preston Hale, a close family friend. His father is one of my dearest friends.”
Preston held out his hand and looked at me as if he’d never laid eyes on me before. “It’s nice to meet you.”
Was he being serious? I shook his hand and made sure to put a little extra squeeze in there for good measure. “Meet me? Surely, you remember who I am.”
Glenn’s eyes went wide. “Wait. You two already know each other?”
I nodded. “From college.” I was about to add before he up and left without a trace, but thought better of it.
Glenn chuckled and smacked a hand on Preston’s shoulder. “Well, isn’t this a small world? You’ll have to tell me some stories on this one.” He nodded my way.
Preston’s jaw clenched. “Can’t. Don’t remember her.”
My mouth dropped open; it was like being punched in the gut and slapped in the face, all at the same time. No words would come out, so I sat there with a lump in my throat. In college, he’d been a close friend. I sang with him in his band, Silent Break. We connected on stage in a way I’d never felt with anyone. I cared about him, and had even been ready to take the next step in our relationship right before he up and disappeared. I never got to tell him how I felt. Now he looked at me as if I was a stranger.
The room fell silent. I wanted to say something, but I bit my tongue. It was going to be the longest dinner of my life.
Glenn and Wade spent most of the dinner talking, while Preston joined in with
a few grunts here and there. What the hell happened to him? He wasn’t the same twenty-year-old who liked to smile and have fun. Granted, he was never the happy-go-lucky type, but he was at least friendly. There were many nights where we stayed up late and talked about anything and everything. That was the guy I missed.
Once dinner was finished, Preston left the table, disappearing through the patio doors and onto the back porch. “Emma, you all right?” Glenn asked.
I plastered on a fake smile. “Of course. Why wouldn’t I be?”
His gaze narrowed. “Come now, I know you better than that. It’s obvious Preston’s presence made you uncomfortable.”
I snorted. “I guess I thought he’d remember me. We used to be good friends. I’m just baffled at this point.”
Taking a sip of his whiskey, he stared at me over the rim of the glass. “Why don’t you go out and talk to him?”
I glanced over at Wade and he nodded toward the patio door. We were supposed to grab drinks together. “Go. I’ll come get you in a few minutes,” he said.
Taking a deep breath, I slid out of my chair and walked to the patio doors. It was dark outside, so I couldn’t see anything because of the lights inside the dining room. I opened the door and shut it behind me, the wind making my dress flutter. Preston wasn’t on the deck, and I couldn’t hear him anywhere.
Pulling out my phone, I texted Andrea.
Me: You will not believe who showed up in Charleston. Preston Hale.
Me: Get this, the asshole says he doesn’t remember me.
Andrea: Oh wow! Where’s he been? You sure he’s not joking?
Me: Nope. I don’t know where he’s been. He’s changed.
Andrea: What the hell? That’s insane.
Frustrated, I sat down on the wooden swing and huffed. “Fucking prick.”
“Been called worse,” Preston announced, appearing around the side of the house.
I shot up out of the swing and gasped. “Jesus, you scared the piss out of me.”
There was no smile on his face as he climbed the stairs to the patio. “Sorry.” Instead of stopping, he went straight toward the door, turning his back on me.
My blood boiled. “Really? That’s how you’re going to play this, after all these years? No, ‘Hey, how ya been?’ I—I can’t believe this shit.”
He paused and glanced at me over his shoulder, his expression unreadable.
“Why are you doing this? I was worried about you. You disappeared from our lives.” For the longest time, I’d wondered if he was dead. He’d left no trace, no reason for leaving.
He looked like he was about to speak, but then Wade opened the patio door, nodding at Preston before settling his gaze on mine. “Ready to go?” he asked.
I glared at Preston, waiting on him to say anything, but I was met with silence. “Yep. I could use a drink about now.” Storming past him, I didn’t attempt to look back. If he didn’t want to remember me, then so be it. Maybe it was time I forgot about him.
Preston
What the fuck of all fucks was Emma Turner doing with the Chandler’s? I didn’t think my time in Charleston could get any worse, but I was wrong. She was a distraction; one I didn’t need. I watched how Wade was with her when they got back to the house after their night of drinks. He was too close. I tried to ignore the burning in my gut, but it was there. It was a feeling I hadn’t had in a long time.
All I had to do was keep up the charade until I could get the hell out of town. The sun started to come up so I got out of bed and made coffee. I was too on edge to sleep. As soon as I sat down at the kitchen table, I glanced out the glass door and watched Glenn march over.
The door to the pool house opened and he charged in, his face a stony mask. “You’re letting your anger get the better of you.” He slammed the newspaper on the table. I didn’t have to look at the headline to know what he was referring to. “You can’t be doing this shit. It’s sloppy. Make the kill and get out. No more, no less.”
Now that Jim Butler was dead, the authorities were going straight to the people who hated him. The police were investigating Milly’s mother, but I knew for a fact they weren’t going to do anything about it. It was so the world would think they were doing something, when actually, they didn’t give a fuck. Butler wasn’t worth the time.
I drank the last of my coffee and looked at him. “The bastard deserved to feel pain. I couldn’t give him the mercy of a quick kill.”
Glenn’s jaw clenched. “But you run the risk of exposing us. What if you were caught? My head would be on the chopping block if I let you screw this up.”
“That’s not gonna happen. I’m good at what I do.”
He scoffed. “That’s what’s scary. You’re worse than Wade. At least he’s smart enough to enjoy life while he has it. You need to take some time for yourself.”
I threw my hands in the air. “To do what exactly? Play golf? Relax by the pool? That shit’s useless to me. There’s too much that needs to get done.”
“There are others in the team,” he snapped. “They’re all working on the list. No matter how many criminals you kill, there will always be more. You’re not gonna get them all.”
Fire burned in my stomach. “I can try.”
Sighing, he took a seat at the table. “I didn’t want to do this, but you’re leaving me no choice. Starting today, you’re done until I give you permission. I have other projects that’ll keep you busy in the meantime.”
Heart racing, I slammed my hand down on the table. “You can’t stop me, Glenn. I have to do this.” It was an addiction. If I stopped, there was no telling what I’d do.
He stared down at me. “I can try,” he said, throwing my words back at me before storming to the door.
My whole body shook with rage. I wasn’t going to let him deter me.
Stopping in his tracks, he faced me again. “Wade’s in the basement working out. You might want to join him. He’ll tell you what you need to know. Right now, I’m going to visit your father. Might want to consider going with me before we head back to Charlotte.”
He left before I could get the final word in, just like Emma had done to me the night before. Rummaging through my bag, I grabbed a pair of gym shorts and changed. A few jabs at the punching bag was exactly what I needed.
Walking through the main house to get to the basement, I opened the back patio door and Emma was right there. She walked past me without a single word. Good. If she was pissed at me, it made my life a hell of a lot easier. I found the door to the basement and walked down the stairs to an open room filled with top of the line exercising equipment.
Wade was on the bench lifting weights, but he noticed me through the reflection in the mirror that lined the back wall. “Ready to get to work, Hale?”
“Depends. What do you mean by work?” I marched over to the punching bag and pounded away.
Wade set his weights down and walked over, grasping the punching bag while I hit it. My knuckles were on fire, but I kept going. I wanted to feel the pain; it let me know I wasn’t completely numb.
“My father needs your help this week. Chandler Enterprises is expanding into a new industry and we need your help. Apparently, you have experience in this line of work.”
Brows furrowed, I stopped and stared at him. “What the hell are you talking about?”
A mischievous leer spread across his face. “You’re going into the music business, brother. Found out you had a band back in college.” For fuck’s sake. “We could use your help with finding some musicians here in Charleston. That is, if you don’t want to audition yourself.”
Sweat pouring down my face, I angrily wiped it off. “You’ve got to be shitting me. Did Emma tell you?”
His brows lifted. “I thought you didn’t know her.”
“I don’t,” I growled, realizing my slip.
He sighed. “No, it wasn’t her. Although, we did have a nice evening. And don’t worry, your name never came up.”
“It’s not good bus
iness to sleep with your assistant,” I said through clenched teeth.
He let go of the punching bag and walked back over to the weight bench. “What Emma and I do is our own business.” Laying down on the bench, he looked over at me. “And for your information, it was your father who told us about the band. He thinks it’ll help you.”
“Whatever, Chandler.” I grabbed a towel from the rack before heading toward the stairs. “I don’t need help.”
Emma
If Preston was going to ignore me, the least I could do was pretend it didn’t bother me. When he came up from the basement and walked through the kitchen, I busied myself on my phone until the back door opened and shut. Looking to make sure he was gone, I turned to Mrs. Walker. “Do you need any help with breakfast?”
She waved me off and laughed. “Sweetheart, no. I’ve been doing this for years. I can cook with my eyes closed. Thank you though.”
“You’re welcome. But I’m right here if you need me.” I was going to miss her when we went back to Charlotte. Glenn employed different people everywhere we went. The newspaper was on the kitchen table and my stomach dropped when I saw yet another murder in the area. “Mrs. Walker, did you see this?”
She turned around, squinting from across the room to see the article. “I did. Crazy, isn’t it? But that nasty man deserved to die after what he did to his stepdaughter. I doubt anyone’s shedding a tear over him.”
My stomach rolled while reading about the physical and emotional abuse he put his stepdaughter through. She would be seventeen right now, carrying around a burden she’d never be able to live without.
“What kind of person would do something like that?” I whispered, tears burning my eyes. Sliding the newspaper away, I couldn’t stomach any more. Wade walked in, showered up and already dressed to perfection. “Good morning,” I said.
