Finding Erin

by America Leigh

  “Busted” I heard the red head beam at Erin. We all bust out laughing. God I missed the sweet sound of her laugh and by the looks of the woman beside her, they were the reason that she hadn’t fell apart.

  “As long as you enjoyed it” I said still not containing my laughter at Erin being embarrassed at taking the full chocolate cake home for her and the girls. I wouldn’t tell Erin this, but when Rhodes had called me telling me see had been coerced into taking a full cake from the waiter I had warned off. Rhodes had laughed for at least ten minutes and then rang Rafi to inform him that our little Maggie had indeed grown a back bone. Ever since then, they have both enjoyed the fact that I had truly met my match with this new and improved side of Maggie because Erin would definitely not be talked around or handled like I could Maggie. That is for sure.

  “It was delightful” she said with a wink in my direction. She’s going to seriously kill me.

  “It is delightful to meet you all, but I thought the inspection was with you alone Erin.”

  “It is Mr Vance, but the girls don’t have work or class this morning and I couldn’t kick them out of the streets. Now could I?” Erin replied, batting her eyelashes at me. I knew exactly what she was doing, but two could play at that game.

  “It’s ok. I can wait” I retorted with a shit eating grin. Her face was shocked and bewildered. I was unnerving her. If I was going to tell her about the past, I needed to knock her off balance.

  “I think you’ve met your match Erin” Red practically sang at Erin with a smile that matched mine. This one was definitely a handful.

  I was just about to tell her that she was right, then all I heard were loud noises coming from outside and Rhodes large frame filling the doorframe and barking orders at all five of us to GET DOWN!

  My ears were filled with white noise and all I could think of was to get to Erin. I heard gun shots cascading through the windows and heading for the girls. The sound of glass breaking and everyone trying to get some kind of cover. The destruction of the front room rang loud throughout the house, it was deafening. Shit. No. This cannot be happening.

  I. Will. Not. Lose. Her. Again.

  I ran over to Erin and dove in front of her. Her small frame was shaking as my body covered hers with force. What could I do? I just needed to protect her. I could still hear shots around me and screams from the other girls coming fast and furious, but all I could feel was Erin’s warmth from underneath me. Her eyes were full of fear and I gently ran my hand down her face to try and soothe her. “I got you, baby” I said firmly. I would never let her go ever again. I had to keep her safe. Erin’s face flashed recognition, but I could sense the turmoil boiling under the surface. She wasn’t sure what I meant to her yet, but she knew deep down that I did. Now I just needed to convince her that she belonged with me and I could protect her from whatever was shooting at us. The noise quietened considerably, but all I could do was stare into Erin’s eyes trying to reassure her that everything would be ok. She started to wriggle under the weight of me and I had to swallow a groan down with her luscious movements underneath me. This was not the time to get aroused. We have a major security problem and I needed to fix that now. I gently moved my weight to my arms and lifted myself off of her. I didn’t get to my feet because I wasn’t sure if the threat was over or not. I got on my knees, trying to assess if Erin was hurt. I ran my hands over her abdomen and down her legs, checking every inch of her. Erin’s gaze was formidable and I realised when I was touching her she was holding her breath.

  “Rhodes”

  “Here” he answered groggily. I could hardly see him through the rubble.

  “Wrap this up and get us the fuck out of this house. NOW” I ordered, never taken my gaze off of Erin. I hear Erin call all the girls one by one. Faith, Justice and Peace. These girls were something else. It couldn’t be a coincidence that all four of these girls lived together and each held a name that had a true meaning to each other. This was bigger than me and Rhodes had anticipated.

  Chapter Eight.

  Erin.

  I couldn’t breathe. Eddie was covering my entire body. It wasn’t from the weight of him. It was the fact that I wanted to grind my body into his and seek the heat that he emits every time we are in a room together. This wasn’t the time or place to start fantasying over his body. I heard him ask Reynolds or Rhodes or something or other if he was ok. I started to panic about the girls. As soon as Eddie lifted his weight off of me I called each of their names out. Their small voices came back quickly, but the panic I had moments ago about losing anyone of my sisters still remained. Eddie finally stood up and held out his arm to help me up. I heard sighs of relief from around the room. Why in hell had my house been shot at and did this have anything to do with the people that were asking questions about me. I didn’t have time to ask. Eddie was steering me out the door and into a large black SUV with tinted windows. This was something out of a movie. The car was all sleek and reinforced. What did I expect really, Edward Vance was a freaking billionaire for god’s sake? Of course he would have security and expensive transport. Typical.

  We all climbed in. I sat on the back row with Eddie and the man from the restaurant, Reynolds I think his name was. Justice was huddled next to Peace, who was shaking like a leaf and Faith just sat their holding each of my best friends tightly, making sure we were all in one piece.

  I cleared my throat. “Can someone please tell me what the hell is going on?” Eddie exchanged a concerned look with Reynolds. Reynolds remained stoic. The car remained silent. It was unnerving.

  “We don’t know” Eddie sighed “We had a breach of security this morning and feared that an attack may occur, that’s why I brought more security with me” Eddie replied softly whilst rubbing circles on my palm. My head begged for relief when it pounded in anguish. Letting go of Eddie’s hand, I rubbed my temples in search of relief. This was like stepping into a movie where people get shot and killed, but that was make believe, this was terrifyingly real. The journey was short.

  We pulled in front of The Hilton Hotel in town. It was only a short ride from my house on the outskirts of Sheffield. The SUV doors opened as soon as we stopped, as if by magic. There was security surrounding the door. The driver and Reynolds were there and two other tall and formidable men blocked everything except the entrance. They rushed all of us through the entrance and into the elevator before I could even blink. Everything was blurred as if I was travelling through a fog. By the time I realised we were all in a large suit and everyone turned to look at me. I realised my breathing had escalated. I tried to control my breaths but it was too late for that, I was on my way to having a full on panic attack. All I could concentrate on was trying to not freak out and gain some sort of control over myself. I felt a firm hand on my back and then another on my neck, heat seeping through the gentle touch. The familiar scent of the outdoors and soap seeped into my pores and washed away the anxiety and filled me with a sense of peace. I knew it was Eddie that had me enveloped in his arms. I took quick and fast gulps of Eddie. I licked my lips after my breathing had subsided some. I moved my gaze from the comfort of his neck up to his face, taking in his gorgeous face. I had never seen this possessive side of him, but I realised I kind of liked the way he looked at me, with such passion and possession. The way he held me had my emotions soaring to new heights, but how could I react to someone that was obviously gay. If it was so obvious to everyone in the world, than why did my body betray that simple little fact?

  “I can’t do this” I rasped out, backing out of Eddie’s arms. My body felt the loss instantly. I wrapped my hands around myself, trying to calm myself.

  “What can’t you do Erin?” Eddie asked. His gaze was intent and focussed solely on me.

  “This” I whispered, motioning my hand between us. The room was quite now and what I could hear, the others had moved to the corner of the room to give me some privacy.

  “Why?”

  “Because it isn’t right, finding solace in your
arms, when I shouldn’t”

  “Why is that? I want to comfort you. I want to protect you and keep you safe” That last comment did it, why the hell did he feel the need to protect me.

  “Why? I’m not your responsibility, Mr Vance.” As soon as I said those words, they cut my flesh like a knife and Eddie winced at the same time, as if he was feeling exactly the same.

  Eddie closed the distance between us and as quick as lightening his hot and luscious lips crashed on mine. I couldn’t even think about the fact that I was letting a gay man kiss me, but the fact that I didn’t want him to stop. The warmth of his body was pressed tightly against my breasts and my core and they screamed for him to take control and throw me down and show me how much he wanted me. I couldn’t let this happen, I would regret this afterwards. I pushed at Eddie, who was enraptured in this moment as much as I was. I pushed again and managed to tare my lips from his.

  “No”

  Oh god I shouldn’t have let that happen.

  “What exactly are you saying no to Erin? The kiss or your body’s reaction to me?” Eddie challenged.

  “Both” I said breathlessly.

  “Why?” Our whole interaction was filled with questions that I simply didn’t have any answers to. When I took another look at Eddie’s face, the softness from earlier had been replaced with a smug smile pulling at his lips. I wanted to smack him in the face and demand that he stopped playing this game with me and let me leave.

  “There’s a whole list Mr Vance and I would rather not discuss that with you right now. I would however like to gather my friends and go home or somewhere away from you” I said vehemently. My professional manner slipped.

  “I would love to hear that list Erin” Eddie replied. He thought this was funny. He raised his brow and let a hearty chuckle escape his perfect lips and made his handsome face crease in laughter. He was gorgeous, completely and utterly de..lic…ious. I shook my head and let the anger consume me.

  “I don’t fucking think so” I seethed through gritted teeth and turned on my heels and stormed into the other room where the girls sat together holding each other tightly.

  I heard his heavy steps stalk after me like a predator after his pray. Irritation prickled at my skin. I swung round and looked Eddie directly in the eyes. His face was slightly shocked at my reaction. His body stilled and became slightly hesitant at what I was going to do.

  “I said I want to leave.”

  “And why would I allow you to do that?” His words sent another bolt of anger zip through me and I couldn’t control my reaction to his comment. My hand shot out and smacked him across the face. “I. DO. NOT. NEED. YOUR. PERMISSION”

  I turned and looked at the girls shocked faces. “We are leaving now” I told them, turning to head for the door. Eddie’s firm hand snaked around my wrist and stopped me dead.

  “That is not an option Erin. If you haven’t realised by now that someone is trying to kill you and take you out of my life. So no you aren’t leaving this room, until I take you home.”

  “Good, so when can we go home” Relaxing at his admission. This was good.

  “When Rhodes gives us the all clear. We will be on the road for three hours and then we can figure everything out from there”

  My head whipped round at his words stopped me cold. Three hours away? Where the hell was he taking me?

  “Road? Three hours. What the hell are you talking about Eddie” I practically screamed at him. My words were practically inaudible as I rambled my thoughts out.

  “I’m taking you to my house” Eddie replied firmly, there was no mistaking his tone. He meant business. I exchanged looks with the girls, catching Peace’s solemn face. Was he taking me away from the girls?

  “No”

  “I’m not going anywhere”

  “Yes we are” Eddie gave me a stern look, warning me not to challenge his authority. I had a feeling I would lose that particular battle anyways.

  This insufferable man was starting to really piss me off with his caveman tactics. The more I thought about it, the angrier I got. Why the hell did he think he had some sort of control over me? He didn’t, my body maybe, but not me.

  “No we’re not. You’re not my keeper”

  “Maybe not now, but I was,” he whispered so I could only hear, his voice thick with emotion. What the hell did that mean? He was? What? I pinched the bridge of my nose and sucked in a shaky breath. The anxiety had returned and now instead of needing Eddie’s soothing touch, I needed to get as far away from him as possible.

  I stormed around the room to put some distance between me and Eddie, but I had realised since the shots had fired into the house. Eddie wasn’t going anywhere without me at his side. “What the hell do you want from me?” I said with a frustrated sigh, letting my hands fall to my side. He was gay, what the hell did he want with me?

  Eddie stalked right in front of me, leaving little space between our bodies.

  “You” He shouted, “I want you.” Eddie’s eye’s flashed with need. The determination and resistance in his tone, told me he was telling me the truth.

  “Why would you want me, you’re Gay for god sakes” I rushed out in a bated breath and then froze with fear at my admission. I wondered where this conversation was going. I looked up at Eddie. He looked shocked and maybe a little mortified. Oh god. Why the hell did I just say that? The entire room stood absolutely still. Eddie still hadn’t moved or replied to my comment. A hearty laugh rolled around the entire room, bringing everyone out of their shocked states. I turned around and saw Rhodes doubled over in laughter. It was hilarious, but quite alarming. I’ve never seen anyone laugh that hard before.

  “That was priceless” Rhodes deep voice interjected through the room. His tone thick with his American accent. It wasn’t pure American, I could hear a slight British tinge at the end of his words. He was still laughing at what I had said. What in the hell was so funny about me saying Eddie was gay.

  Unless… Oh shit. No. My face fell and I instantly felt sick.

  “This gets better and better, look at her face. She honestly thought you were gay, Eddie. The tabloids publicise your sexuality all the time and never deterred anyone, but the one girl you want, believes it. Well isn’t that ironic” Rhodes practically snorts his words and finishes on a chuckle.

  So if he wasn’t gay, what the hell did he mean about wanting me. That can’t be right, what the hell did a billionaire want with a girl from the north. I heard Eddie mutter un-fucking-believable as he ran his hand through his hair.

  “Knock it off Rhodes” Eddie warned and the room returned to its silent state.

  “Everyone out” No one battered an eyelid when Eddie ordered everyone out, even the girls did as he requested. They each gave me a concerned look, but left grudgingly. Eddie motioned towards the big white sofa. I sat down timidly, after the embarrassment of what had just happened. I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to look Eddie in the eyes ever again.

  What will happen to my business deal? I sighed, as my hopes and dreams were deflating around me.

  “Why the sad face?” Eddie asked tipping my chin up to meet his eyes.

  “I made a complete and utter fool out of myself and you are my boss Mr Vance. I don’t want to lose the contract I have worked hard for.” Eddie smiled in understanding.

  “You won’t lose the contract, but there are some things that need you need to know. I need you to promise me one thing before I tell you everything” I nodded at his request, I couldn’t find the words.

  “Don’t run away from me.” He stated matter of facilely. His eyes pleading.

  I nodded again, I didn’t understand anything that had happened in the last few hours, but I was intrigued to what Eddie thought I needed to know.

  “Ok” Eddie said slowly, studying my face intently. He let out a slow and serene breath that coated my face. I closed my eyes and shuddered as my pulse raced at the innocent action.

  “Do you remember anything before you woke up in
the hospital?” Eddie asked softly. Well, that wasn’t what I was expecting.

  I shook my head. “No, why? Do you know what happened to me or where I belong?” I replied nervously. I wasn’t sure why I had said that. Why did I feel the need to belong somewhere? This conversation was turning into something that had my stomach twisting in knots and my head running off in a thousand different directions.

  “You belong to me” He said simply, no hesitation, no qualms. I looked up to see love and affection pouring from Eddie as he watched me closely. I don’t know how I didn’t see it before. It was there for all the world to see. He leaned in and kissed me with such tenderness had my insides coiled like a spring.

  Chapter Nine.

  Eddie.

  “You belong to me” I heard myself say. When I had heard Erin utter those simple and innocent words ‘where I belong?’ Had my insides screaming at my possessive nature to claim her and demand she stayed with me forever. I never realised how possessive I was of Maggie until she was gone and now I had her sitting beside me asking where she belonged reminded me that she belonged to me. I kissed her tenderly and moved back after briefly touching her lips.

  The shock radiated off her at first. Erin’s face went from shock, relief, bewilderment and then to anger.

  “What was that again?” Erin asked incredulously. Her face was a mask of emotions.