by K. C. Lynn
Most people shake their head. “No, man, cops are on their way and this dude here is a doctor,” a teenage boy explains.
A guy in a suit stands up, after assessing an older lady. “Yes, I’m a doctor. I work across the street. I was doing paperwork when I heard the gunshots and came running over.”
“Did you get a good look at the car by chance, or the driver?”
He shakes his head. “No. I just saw the back of it when it was turning the corner.”
“Did you see anything?” I ask the kid next.
“No, my buddies and I were walking out when glass started shattering and we instinctively dropped to the ground. Good thing we did or else we would be toast right now. Why the hell would anyone shoot up a theatre?” Why indeed. I think about the timing of the car pulling out onto the street, suspicion rearing it’s ugly head.
“Are you a cop?” I feel Emily tense behind me at the doctor’s question.
“No. I’m not a cop.” She tries pulling her hand out of mine but I grip it tightly. The doctor nods then goes back to checking on everyone. The sound of approaching sirens echo in the distance, and my suspicion becomes stronger.
“We need to get out of here,” I mumble to no one in particular. Looking at my vehicle, that’s parked down the street, I decide to leave it and see if my suspicions are confirmed. “Come on.” I tug on Emily’s hand but her feet stay planted.
“Shouldn’t we wait and talk to the police?”
“No.” I pull on her hand again but she resists.
“What? But why? We…”
“Emily, I don’t have time to fucking explain everything right now. We just need to get fucking moving!”
I feel like an asshole when she flinches, but I don’t have time to sugarcoat shit. She doesn’t resist me when I pull her forward again and I move quickly, making sure to keep an eye on our surroundings. Slowing for just a second, I reach down and grab my gun again before turning down an alley between two buildings.
Grabbing my cell from my pocket I call Nick, and he answers on the first ring. “What the hell happened?”
“I need you to come pick us up. I’m at the corner of Eighth and Bouchard. Meet us at the back.”
He doesn’t hesitate or ask questions. “I’ll be there in five.”
I hang up then look at Emily who’s leaning against the wall, watching me with the gun in my hand. She looks away when I make eye contact and crosses her arms over her chest. I notice her tremble, her body probably still in shock. I shrug off my plaid button-down and pass it to her. “Here.” She doesn’t acknowledge me. “Come on, Em, just take the shirt.”
“No, thank you!” she grinds out.
With a frustrated sigh I step closer to put my shirt over her, but she pushes me away. “I said no th…” Her words trail off on a gasp. “Oh my god, Ryder, you’re bleeding.”
Huh? I look down to see the left side of my white T-shirt soaked with blood. What the fuck? Lifting it, I realize a bullet grazed me.
“Oh god!” I look up to see Em’s face ghost-white. “We have to go back, Ryder, we have to get that doctor to look at you.” She pulls at me in a panic. “Oh never mind, you stay here. I’ll run and get him.”
She bolts for the street but I grab her from behind before she can make it. “Hold up, baby.”
She pulls away then spins around. “You need to get looked at. You’ve been shot. You’re going to bleed to death… Oh god, oh god.” Her breathing turns erratic and she looks like she’s about to pass out.
I grab her upper arms and shake her before she can go into complete hysterics. “Whoa, Em, it’s okay. I’m fine, it’s just a graze.”
“A graze?” She stares at me wide-eyed, not understanding what that is.
“Yeah, the bullet just skimmed me. It didn’t penetrate. I just need to clean and bandage it. I’m not going to bleed to death.” Although now that I know about it, the fucking thing is starting to sting like a bitch.
She swallows thickly then looks back down at my shirt, which was a mistake. “Oh god.”
I put my fist under her chin and lift her gaze to mine. “It looks worse than what it is. Don’t look at it.”
She stares at me as if she can’t process what’s happened, and her bottom lip begins to tremble. “What the hell is going on, Ryder?”
I pull her against me when she starts sobbing and drape my shirt over her shaking body. “I’ll explain everything soon, Em. We need to get out of here first.” As soon as the words leave my mouth, Nick pulls up at the end of the street. “Come on.” I lead her down the alley quickly then crawl in the back behind her.
“What the fuck happened to you?” Stone asks, looking at my bloody shirt.
“It’s just a graze. Drive and I’ll tell you the story.” I give him Emily’s address then relay the events of the shooting. I sense Emily look back and forth between us, piecing together that Nick is my partner. I reach for her hand but she moves to the far side of the seat, her intention of not wanting me to touch her loud and clear. It fucking sucks. By the time I finish telling Stone the story, we arrive at Emily’s complex. He parks behind the building and we walk in the back exit unnoticed.
Emily unlocks her door but I hold her back from entering, and signal for Nick to do a quick check. She watches me with questions but she doesn’t ask any. When her dog runs over she drops to her knees, burrowing her face in its neck, clearly needing it’s comfort. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t jealous of the little fucker, because I want to be the one to comfort her, but I doubt that will be happening anytime soon. Nick comes back, giving it the all clear.
“Do you have a first aid kit?” I ask, needing to attend to my ribs.
“Yeah.” She goes and grabs it from her bathroom then hands it to me without looking at me, then walks to her room without another word, the dog following closely behind her.
Nick quirks a brow at me. “Busted I take it?”
I glare at him, wanting to blame him for it because of the stupid phone call, but I know I have no one to blame but myself. Ignoring his question, I take my shirt off and head to her kitchen. As I clean and bandage myself I try not to think about the fact that this bullet would have hit Emily if I hadn’t made it in time.
“So I take it you don’t think that shooting was coincidental,” Nicks says, sensing my suspicion.
I shrug. “It’s possible, but no, I don’t think so. Something doesn’t feel right. Especially with the timing the car pulled out.”
“Are you thinking it was meant for you or her?”
“I…”
“Me?” Emily shrieks, cutting off my reply. Looking over, I see her standing at the edge of the kitchen. She’s changed into a pair of black yoga pants that mold to her lithe body like second skin, and an oversized sweater folded over her as if she’s trying to keep warm. She stares at Nick like he’s lost his mind for even suggesting it. “It’s not me, no one wants to shoot me.”
“But they want to shoot him?” he asks with a smirk, pointing at me.
She shrugs. “It’s possible. I know I do.”
I grunt and Nick chuckles, finding her sassy ass amusing. “I like her, Jameson.” He walks over to her and formally introduces himself. “I’m Nick Stone, Ryder’s partner.”
She accepts his hand timidly. “Hi. I’m Emily Michaels, which I guess you already know since it seems I’m part of whatever case you guys are working on.” Her tone drips with betrayal, making me feel like shit.
“Actually, the case is on your father.”
“Back off, Stone.” Not that I don’t intend to tell her, but he can be a little more sensitive about the situation.
Emily glares at me. “I think it’s time I know the truth, Ryder. Now what the hell do you want with my father?”
Nick glances over at me, waiting for me to explain. I run a hand through my hair, trying to think of a way to tell her this without hurting her, but I realize it’s inevitable. “Come sit down, Em.” I gesture to the living room. She looks re
ady to fall over.
“No, I’ll stand.”
I grind my teeth at how stubborn she’s being. “There is a lot to tell you. So if you want to know the entire story then go sit down, now!”
We glare off at one another for a long moment before she finally relents. With a huff she makes her way toward the couch, but stops and looks back at Stone. “Can I get you something to drink, Nick?”
I don’t miss the fact that she doesn’t offer me one and neither does Nick, by the amused smirk that is plastered on his face. Asshole!
“No, I’m good, but thanks for asking.”
She nods before sitting down then looks back at me. ‘Tell me what’s going on.”
I take a seat at the other end of the couch and face her. “As you heard earlier, Nick and I are FBI Agents. Last week we were given a case to investigate that involves your father.”
She swallows thickly, hurt and anger darkening her expression. “What has he done?” She doesn’t even question if he has done something. Her knowing he is capable of breaking the law makes this a little easier, but I know it’s going to be hard for her to hear just how twisted he is.
I start to explain the story, first telling her about Cassie’s allegations and the group home, only to have her cut me off by throwing her hand up. “Whoa, just wait a minute. There has to be a mistake. I know my father is capable of a lot of things, but not this. He and my mother are huge advocates against human trafficking. Also, the group home you are talking about is one of many my father donates to, and my mother runs charity functions for.”
Before I can explain further, Nick speaks up: “The allegations have the assaults taking place after the charity functions.”
“What? No way.” She shakes her head, discrediting the accusation right away. “I’m at most of these functions. I would know.”
“I don’t know how it’s happening yet, Em, but there have been a lot of incidents to back up Cassie’s story.” I tell her about Senator Adams being threatened when he tried to look into the allegations, and everything Nick learned earlier tonight from the school counselor. I also mention how Cassie has been missing since she came forward. By the time I’m done she looks like she’s going to be sick. She looks so lost that I don’t hold back any longer. Moving in next to her, I wrap an arm around her shoulders and kiss the side of her head. “I’m sorry, baby, I know this isn’t easy to hear.”
Nick clears his throat. “Did you ever see anything unusual happen at any of these functions?”
Emily’s head snaps up and I quickly realize I never told him about her disability. Thankfully, she doesn’t seem put off by it. “No, up until a month ago I was blind.”
Nick rears back in shock then glances at me before looking back at her. “Oh sorry, I didn’t know.”
She shrugs. “Nothing to be sorry about. But to answer your question, no, I never encountered anything unusual at any of the charity functions, and I have been going to them for as long as I can remember.”
That one statement has me suddenly remembering something she said a long time ago. “Didn’t you say the night you lost your sight your parents had a charity function?”
She ponders it for a moment. “Well, yeah, I was put to bed early, like usual, but I snuck out to the well and…” Her words stop abruptly and she looks at me, pure fear washing over her expression. I know her mind is going where mine is.
“Do you remember anything at all from that night, or the nightmare you had?”
She shakes her head. “Nothing from that night. All I remember from my nightmare are screams, but they could have been mine as I woke myself up that way. We really don’t know if my dream was even a memory, I mean the possibility is slim.”
“I don’t know, Em,” I tread carefully. “Too much shit is happening for it to be coincidental, and tonight…”
“What do you mean tonight? Why would anyone want to kill me, Ryder? Maybe it’s you. Or hell, maybe it’s someone else who was walking out of that theatre at the same time!” Her voice rises and I know she’s scared of the thought, but right now I can’t sugarcoat anything. We need to look at this from all angles, but the thought that those bullets were meant for her has a dangerous violence rushing through me.
“I saw that car pull out just as you began to walk away. Earlier today you told your father that you’re going to try hypnotherapy, to see if you can remember what happened that night, and he goes fucking ballistic. Then we just happen to be part of a drive-by shooting. If you ask me, it’s a big fucking possibility.”
Getting up, she moves away from me to the other side of the room and crosses her arms, looking lost and alone. “I know my father doesn’t care about me, but to suggest him having someone try to kill me?” She shakes her head sadly, as if she can’t fathom the possibility.
Nick cuts back in. “Your parents have another charity function in a few weeks. Do you know anything about it?”
She nods. “Yes. I’m attending it. It’s actually to raise money for the group home you guys are talking about.”
“I need you to get me in there, Em.”
Her gaze snaps to mine, betrayal and anger darkening her expression. “Well, Ryder, all you had to do was ask. You didn’t have to pretend to want to fuck me.”
I tense at her words, my temper igniting hot and fast. “Watch it, Emily, you don’t know what the fuck you’re talking about!”
“Okay, well that’s my cue,” Stone breaks in awkwardly. “I’ll talk to you later, Jameson. Call me if you need a ride back to your vehicle.”
“Actually, you can take him with you. He isn’t staying.”
Nick stops halfway to the door then turns back to me, but I don’t take my eyes off Emily. “I’m not fucking going anywhere.” We glare off at one another, and I hear Nick eventually let himself out. Mentally preparing myself, I get ready for the shit-storm that’s about to hit.
Emily
I stare at the man who broke my heart all those years ago. I gave him the benefit of the doubt when he walked back in, only to be slapped in the face again. Hurt, fury, betrayal and a big dose of utter disbelief at this entire situation storms inside of me. I feel close to breaking, but I keep myself in check. I refuse to let him see how much he has hurt me for a second time.
“I was planning on telling you.”
I scoff, not believing a word he says. “Before or after you fucked me?”
His jaw flexes in anger. “Before. I had planned to tell you everything when we got back here.”
“How convenient.”
“What do you expect, Emily? I haven’t seen you in six years, I couldn’t tell you until I knew where you stood with your parents. This is a big fucking deal. A lot of people’s lives are at stake over this. I had to make sure I could trust you!”
“What I expect would have been for you to keep your fucking hands to yourself and not pretend to care about me!” Just thinking about the way he touched me only a few hours earlier has my stomach twisting.
“Em, baby, listen. I…”
“Don’t call me that! I don’t care what you have to say. Leave now!”
“I am not fucking leaving you. Not until…”
“Why not? You did before.” Guilt flashes in his eyes, but I don’t fall for it and I finally ask the one question that has been burning inside of me since seeing him again. “Did you take the money?”
His eyes narrow dangerously. “What the fuck do you think?”
I swallow thickly and try to keep my voice level. “For six years I said no, but now I don’t know. I don’t know you at all. I don’t think I ever did.”
“Bullshit!” he yells. “You goddamn know me and you know I didn’t take that fucking money!”
“No, I don’t! I don’t know anything anymore! You left and you never came back!” My pain becomes evident and I can’t hold back my tears any longer. “I told you I loved you. How could you just leave me like that?”
I watch his jaw flex as he tries to reign in whatever he’s
feeling. “You forget that I asked you to come with me, Emily, and you said no.”
Anger begins to override my hurt. “That is not fair and you know it! I was seventeen, with no money and blind. I had nothing…”
“I would have fucking taken care of you! I would have never let anything happen to you.”
“I didn’t want you to take care of me!” I scream back. “I didn’t want to be a burden. You had your entire future laid out for you and my needs would have only held you back, but that doesn’t mean I didn’t love you. I also didn’t think I would never see you again!” My breath hitches as I think back to the most heart wrenching time in my life. “I waited for hours at the well the next day, only to be met by my father. I was left alone in trying to defend our relationship, only to have him tell me he paid you off and you accepted the money graciously.”
“He fucking lied to you. He threatened Hector and his family; he said he would shut down his business or worse. I was told if I stayed you were in danger too. I was only seventeen, I couldn’t fucking protect you all! I did what I had to do to keep you safe. But if you think I left easily, Emily, you’re wrong!”
“You didn’t even say goodbye,” I whisper brokenly. He takes a step toward me but I hold my hand up to keep him back. I can’t let him touch me or I will cave, and I can’t. Not again.
He expels a frustrated breath. “I couldn’t fucking say goodbye. It was too hard. If I saw you again or heard your voice I wouldn’t have left.”
That has my temper flaring all over again. “Well I’m glad you made it easier for you! Meanwhile I was left to ponder, what happened to the boy I fell in love with. Did he take the money? Did he use me? Was my father right and I was just a piece of ass to him? But as long as it was easier on you, then by all means, I’m glad you left without so much as an explanation!”
“What do you want me to fucking say? That I made a mistake by not telling you? Fine, let’s play it where I did come and say goodbye, but then I couldn’t fucking leave you. Where would Hector be now? Where would we be? Look at what he’s capable of, Emily. It’s worse than I thought, but I’m not some fucking helpless kid anymore and I am going to fucking bring him down for all of it!”
