Salvation

by Ahren Sanders

  He looks them over and steps beside me. “I’ll take care of all this. We’ll know soon if they accept.”

  I nod against him and kiss the underside of his jaw. “I love you, Robbie.”

  He leaves quickly, and I clean the kitchen, trying to stay calm. The entire drive to the police department, my stomach coils. I repeatedly tell myself this is the right thing. The police can help find the man tormenting me. I’m pretty sure it’s the Trey guy Robbie learned about from Shake, but since I haven’t actually spoken to him since the day he delivered the phone, I can’t confirm.

  I pull up and look around, not sure what I expect to see. I’ve never been to the police department before. No one seems to be out of place. What do I know? I nervously get out and walk to the entrance, when the phone rings. My hands shake as I answer, backing against a wall.

  “Hello?”

  “You’re not planning on breaking our agreement, are you?”

  “Agreement?”

  “The one where you keep your mouth shut and no one gets hurt?”

  I stay silent and glance around, trying to find anyone watching me.

  “If you walk into that police station, whatever happens next is your fault.”

  “Trey?” I question.

  His evil laughter sends a chill up my spine. “No, Ember, this isn’t Trey. He works for me.”

  “Why are you doing this? I have nothing to do with Natalie.”

  “Unfortunately, she says differently.”

  “I don’t have ten-thousand dollars.”

  “Plus interest, which brings it to roughly twelve.”

  “There’s no way I can come up with that money.”

  “I’ll give you two more weeks, but then someone will be in touch for half.”

  I look back up at the building, thinking about hanging up and running inside.

  “So you know, I have a lot of reach, and that means connections. If you decide to go to the police again, I’ll know.”

  My breath hitches as my throat closes. I walk back to my car with the phone still at my ear, waiting for what he says next. A familiar face catches my eye, and I gasp when I realize it’s the man that came into the store last week. He stares back at me and grins widely then types on his phone.

  “Ahh, my man tells me you’ve decided to be smart. You have a week.” The phone disconnects. I push the redial button, but all outgoing calls are blocked.

  My instincts are screaming at me to tell someone about this, but something is holding me back. What if this man is a maniac and follows through with his threats? It would be my fault that someone I love gets hurt, and I couldn’t live with that. My body starts to shake as fear consumes me. Flashbacks of my teenage years run play in my mind. I’m finally living the life I only dreamed about. There’s no way I can jeopardize it. Realization sinks in- I’m screwed.

  The moment Robbie walks into the store, I know something’s wrong. He doesn’t say anything but yanks me to him, fisting his hands in my hair.

  “Bad news, babe, there was a fire at the house today. Fire Inspector thinks it started in the kitchen. They got there in time, but the back of the place is completely destroyed. It will be months before it will be repaired.”

  “That’s terrible. Was anyone hurt?”

  “No, everyone was out. The neighbors called the fire department when they saw the flames. It’s being labeled an electrical fire.”

  My stomach sinks. This was no accident. Somehow, this is my fault for trying to go to the police. Whoever is blackmailing me knew about our interest in the house. A few tears escape even as I try to hold them in.

  “Hey, you okay?” Robbie lifts my chin. I bite my cheek hard so I don’t sob at the disappointment in his eyes. “We’ll find another place, and until then, we’ll be fine at mine.”

  I’m scared to speak. The need to tell him that this was probably arson is on the tip of my tongue, but I can’t. His safety is at risk.

  “Maybe we can make a deal with the owners that we’ll hold off and go through with our offer when they get their insurance money. They may be willing to work with us to re-do the kitchen to your specifications.”

  “That would be good.”

  He dips his head and kisses me lightly before backing away. “I got a call from Raven today. They’re coming home next week. She asked me to pick her up at the arena because Declan has sound checks and shit.”

  “I’m glad they’re coming home. Jenna and James are so excited.”

  “Yeah, something else, too. Finn and Tripp are moving into the condo next to us.”

  “That’s awesome. Maybe we should put off buying the house for a while.”

  He looks at me with concern. “Why?”

  “I think it may be fun to live next to those guys,” I try to joke. “And just think, all those late nights you work, I’d have company.”

  His eyes darken as he tugs me back to him. “I’m beginning to understand why Declan is such a jealous ass.”

  “Seriously, what girl wouldn’t want to be surrounded by the three of you?”

  “You think you’re so funny.” He kisses me briefly and slaps my ass. “Don’t test me.”

  The bell over the door chimes, and my next appointment walks in. I move away and wink at Robbie playfully. “See you later.”

  He nods and grins, running his hands down my face. The touch is full of intimacy. “Love you. We’ll figure out what to do about the house.”

  “Yes, we will.”

  He leaves and I paste on a smile to greet my customers.

  A few hours later, I finally get the chance to sit down, and notice a new message on the untraceable phone. A lump forms in my throat when I see the picture of a burning house as firefighters put of the flames. There’s no text, only the picture.

  Intense fear and dread wash through me. Somehow, I have to find a way to pay this maniac at least the six thousand dollars until I can figure out how to get out of this mess with no one getting hurt.

  My savings has a substantial amount, but nowhere near ten thousand dollars. And unfortunately, Chloe has access to it. Even though she respects my privacy, she’d question a large withdrawal. I log into my bank accounts and send a quick message to my account representative about cashing in my CDs. As I review the instructions on large withdrawals, my fear turns to anger. For the first time in my life, I’m livid to the point of seeing red. Fucking Natalie.

  The phone starts vibrating, fueling my irritation. “What!” I bark.

  “Someone’s in a bad mood.”

  “You fucking burned my house, you asshole!”

  “Technically it wasn’t yours yet.”

  “I got your message loud and clear. I’ll have half of your money next week.”

  “Good girl.”

  “But that’s it. You need to go after Natalie. This is her fucking mess. Go ruin her life.”

  “So dramatic. I don’t care which one of you pays me. Seeing as she is locked down, you’re the best bet.”

  “Fucking bitch.” I seethe and laughter comes through the line.

  “I agree. Too bad we couldn’t have met under different circumstances. I think we could be friends.”

  “Highly unlikely.”

  “Suit yourself. Remember what I’m capable of.” The line goes dead, and I fight the urge to smash the phone against the wall.

  Then I get an idea that sets my heart racing. It’s time I face my sister and let her know she’s dealing with a new Ember. Don’t fuck with the people I love.

  Chapter 38

  Something’s Not Right

  Robbie

  Fuck me walking. Twins…Raven is having twins.

  I sip my beer and try to wrap my head around the fact that my baby sister is pregnant and I’m going to be an uncle. A fucking cool uncle. The back door opens and Ember walks through, looking at me nervously.

  “Is everything okay?”

  “Yep.”

  I finish my beer and walk to her. “You sounded off on the phone?�
�

  The smell of her shampoo fills my senses as I kiss her forehead. She’s stiff at first, but relaxes when I massage her shoulders lightly and tilt her chin to meet my lips. The second I taste her, my control vanishes.

  Without another word, I scoop her into my arms and carry her to our bedroom. Careful not to crush her, I lie us down and brace myself on my elbows. Her eyes are soft and swimming with desire as she bites on her lower lip and stares at me, waiting. The second her fingertips brush against the skin of my lower back, I knife up, bringing her with me. We claw at each other’s clothes until we’re both naked.

  Her small hand wraps around my dick, and her thumb circles the tip. Blood rushes to the head at her gentle touch. My mind tells me to slow down and take the time to savor her body, but I can’t. We lean back and my hand glides down her stomach, circling the sparkling jewel then moving lower. When I glide a finger into her wet heat, she moans against my neck. The sound sets off something carnal inside me, and I scoot back just enough to position my throbbing cock. As soon as I slide all the way in, the need for complete control takes over.

  I thrust hard, pounding into her. She tries to hold my gaze, but ends up closing her eyes and gripping the comforter. Her tits bounce as I drive into her relentlessly, making my mouth water. Taking one nipple, my teeth and tongue tease her. She threads her hands through my short hair, arching up to me.

  “Please,” she pleads. Her pussy is clenched so tight that my balls ache.

  I pull out and kiss my way down her body. She lifts her hips to my lips, and I grin against her. My girl likes when I fuck her with my tongue, but tonight, I’m going to tease her until she screams my name, then fuck her until she feels me tomorrow.

  I lick around her clit, listening to her whimper. She tries again to push into me, but my hands tighten on her waist. I suck hard, nipping her sensitive flesh, then run my tongue around the area to soothe the bite. Each time she gets close, I retreat and kiss along her inner thighs.

  “Please,” she begs again.

  “Please what?” I use my tongue again, making her cry out.

  “Don’t stop doing that!”

  “Doing what?”

  It’s no secret that Ember loves when I talk dirty to her. Tonight is my turn. “Tell me, baby. What am I doing?”

  “Yy-oo-u—”

  “Say it, Ember.” I continue to torment her with small licks and kisses against her swollen slit. “Let’s hear it.”

  She starts to shake slightly, still pushing her hips into my face. “Please don’t stop licking me.”

  “Where?” I smile when her thighs squeeze against my head.

  “My pussy!”

  My dick twitches with the need to come as soon as the words pour out of her mouth. I pull her legs apart and move my hands to her ass, holding her in place. My tongue darts back into her, licking the heavy arousal and savoring it. I’m addicted to her taste. She squirms and moans, chanting something under her breath. Her movements increase, and when I slide a finger into her, she shouts my name.

  I suck harder, feeling her convulse against my mouth. When she falls back on the bed, I move up her body and wrap her legs around my waist. She whimpers when I push back into her and start pumping slowly. As soon as she’s able to focus, I ram into her. She meets me thrust for thrust, twisting her hips against mine.

  The room starts to spin as my own release coils in my stomach. There’s no way I can hold on when she tightens her muscles and slams against me from below. I explode and feel her come apart beneath me. We both cry out as I capture her mouth, sucking in her screams. My heartbeat thunders in my chest, and sweat drips down my face. When her eyes open and lock with mine, she smiles shyly. My brain takes a mental picture of her in this moment. She’s never been more beautiful. My dick twitches, still hard inside her.

  “You’re amazing.” I lower my head and kiss her neck.

  “You’re pretty amazing, too. Is this why you told me to come straight home?”

  I shake my head and roll over, bringing her across my body. “Raven’s pregnant. With Twins. I picked her up on the bike today, and she didn’t mention it. Declan came home and lost his shit. Thought the guy was going to have a coronary. The first thing that flew through my mind when they told me was you.”

  “Me?”

  “Yeah, I told Raven if you ever do that shit I’d spank your ass. Then I thought about it all the way home. Imagining you pregnant. I’m going to be a fucking wreck when the time comes.”

  She tenses and lifts up to face me. “When the time comes? What are you saying?”

  “I’m saying, when you get pregnant, the bike’s off limits. Probably a lot of things are off limits. We’ll have to see.”

  “Robbie, how did we go to having amazing sex to talking about my future pregnancies? Did I miss something?”

  “Do you trust me enough to take care of you for the rest of your life?”

  “Yes,” she whispers with tears in her eyes.

  “Then, no, you didn’t miss anything. We’re on the same page.”

  Her mouth moves to mine, and she kisses me sweetly, nibbling lightly on my bottom lip. I grip her ass firmly, pulling her closer.

  House or no house, time to move on.

  Something’s not right. I notice the minute we get out of bed that Ember is acting strange. For the last few days since the concert, she has been quiet, but I blamed it on the disappointment of the house fire. Even when I told her we were working through the negotiations to follow through on the offer, she didn’t snap out of her mood. I’ve tried to talk to her, but she insists she’s fine.

  Today, she plans to work with Randy on some designs for the charity gala next month. This wouldn’t usually make me suspicious, except she’s been preoccupied about almost everything. I’ve walked in on her several times talking to herself quietly, visibly upset. Her smile is forced, and when we lie down at night, she curls into me. I wake up with her the same way; not once has she spread out. Each day when we leave for work, she hugs me a little longer. My gut tells me she’s hiding something.

  “Sweetie, I’m leaving. I’ll be home by dinner. If there’s time, I may stop by the fabric market and cut some samples.” She loads her bags and looks at me.

  The flash of fear in her eyes tells me she’s lying. I stalk to her and lift her onto the stool.

  “You okay?”

  “Yes, just tired. I didn’t sleep well, and these dresses are really important.”

  “Fuck the dresses. Mom and Evelyn can afford to buy dresses. Tell them it’s too much to take on right now.”

  “I can’t do that!” Her eyes avoid mine. “This is an important event, and I already promised.”

  “Ember, I’m going to ask you again. Is everything okay?”

  She slumps into me and puts her arms around my waist. “Yes, please stop worrying. It’ll be better after today. I promise.”

  I nod against her and help her back down. When we get to the door, I kiss her gently and watch her walk to her car. Less than a minute after she pulls out of the parking lot, Finn walks out.

  “We doing this?”

  “Unfortunately, yes. I hope to fuck I’m wrong, but —”

  “I’ve been watching out the window for a few minutes. Saw her face. She’s not herself. Something’s going on.”

  I grab my bag and keys then set the alarm. When we get in his truck, I pull out my laptop and log into the tracking system. My heart sinks when I see Ember’s cell signal going in the exact opposite direction of Randy’s office. Finn backs out, and I give him instructions on where to follow.

  The drive is quiet, but as soon as Ember crosses over the Alabama border, my anger spikes. “Goddamnit!” I hoped like hell she wasn’t planning to ever come back here.

  “She didn’t cross into fucking Alabama, did she?” Finn questions, gripping the steering wheel tighter.

  “She sure as shit did.”

  “So what’s the plan now?”

  “We see if she’s meeting
with her mother or trying to see her piece of shit sister. Either way, I’m going to be with her.” My chest heaves as anger pours out of me. What the hell is she thinking?

  “Robbie, I understand you’re upset, but she has her reasons for coming here. Maybe she needs this.”

  “I don’t give a fucking rat’s ass what she needs. She lied to me. How can I protect her when she doesn’t tell me her plans?”

  He opens his mouth and closes it quickly. Then he hits me hard. “You know Declan had no idea Raven was leaving him. He was too wrapped up in his own shit to look around and see she was miserable. Hate to even ask, but did something happen with the two of you?”

  “Yeah, I told her I wanted to spend the rest of my life with her! I asked her to trust me with our future. Is that so fucking bad? Don’t compare my shit to Declan’s monumental fucking screw up. He almost destroyed my sister. I’d never do that shit. Ember is too important to me. If she wanted to come here, she should have told me.”

  Finn’s face falls, his lips forming into a thin line as he tries to hold back.

  “Just say it.”

  “She’s delicate. She’s had a lot of shit happen in the last seven months. I agree that you should be upset, but try to reel it in. If you love her like you say, then calm the fuck down and be ready to hear her out.”

  “I’ll hear her out, but then she’s got some explaining to do.”

  We ride in silence except for me giving him directions on her route. My hands threaten to crush the computer when she pulls into the rehabilitation center.

  We’re too late for me to join her. Finn parks and looks at me expectantly.

  “We wait.”

  “Yeah,” he sighs. “We wait. And if I know you two, she’ll be walking funny tomorrow. You seriously should have warned me about the thin walls in the condo.”

  I smile and laugh for the first time in days. He’s not kidding; Ember will be feeling me with each step tomorrow.

  Chapter 39

  Dade

  Ember

  The inside of the facility is nothing like I expected. In my mind, I figured it would be a bit more clinical, not as welcoming and cheery. The lobby is full of people sitting around on leather couches, talking and laughing. There’s an entire kitchenette stocked with snacks and drinks. It resembles a cafeteria, not a place where people with drug and alcohol problems would sit around and discuss their addictions.