Lucas
Walking back toward the house, I’m livid. As much as I want to go in there and tear into these people, I can’t forget that there are two little girls on the other side of that door who don’t deserve to be put in the middle of this. What happened tonight clarifies how much the dynamics of this family changed after George’s death. While I remember that Embree’s mom was somewhat aloof when it came to her daughter, I never could have imagined what I saw tonight.
Back in the foyer, I run into Ben and Jen, who look to be getting ready to leave. In the background, I hear the echoes of an argument between who I assume is Embree’s mother and stepfather.
“How is she?” My sister asks. Though I know her concern is genuine, it does nothing to tamp down the outrage that’s prickling at the base of my skull. Everyone who sat at that table played a part in what happened. Even the paltry attempts Jenny made to protect Embree were nowhere near enough.
“How do you think she is? She’s upset. I’m here for the girls. I’m taking them home.” When my sister flinches at my clipped tone, I instantly regret taking my frustrations out on her. The reality is I know nothing of what’s led these people to this point, so at the very least, I owe Jenny the benefit of the doubt. Softening my tone, I tell her, “I’m sorry. She’ll be okay. I’ll drop them off and make sure she’s back to herself before I leave.”
“Should I go to her?”
“Nah...” I pull her in for a hug, my left hand rubbing circles on her back in the same soothing way I used to when we were kids. “I’ve got her. Maybe just give her a call later tonight.”
“Have I told you how happy I am that you’re back?” She sighs into my chest as she snuggles in close. Her wistful tone hits me like a knife straight to the heart. I know how badly she wants me to stay, and as I hold her, I feel the tension of that want sitting between us like a deep emotional fissure I’m not sure how to breach.
“I love you, baby sister. No matter where I am, that will never change.” The tear-filled frown when she pulls back to look up at me deepens my guilt. I’ve always wondered if leaving her behind was the right choice, and knowing that tomorrow I’ll be leaving her again is killing me. This is yet another reason I didn’t want to come back. As much as this reunion with her and Embree has meant to me, it’s only making the heartache of separation that much more painful.
“You’re still leaving, aren’t you?”
“Tomorrow.” Unable to take the disappointment reflected in her eyes, I pull her back into my arms. “But it won’t be like before. You have my number. I’ll come back to visit when I can. You have my word.”
I don’t know how long we stand there holding on to one another. It’s like we’re clinging to the moment out of fear that once we let go, this right here, will forever disappear. It’s an unease that was sewn into the fabric of our being the moment our parents were taken from us.
When we pull apart, she wipes the tears from under her eyes and then gives me a sad smile.
“Okay. I’ll, uh, go help Annelly get the girls ready. I’ll be right back.” She says as she steps away.
When she moves to go past Ben, he reaches for her and drops a tender kiss on the top of her head. The look in his eyes as he watches her leave the room is filled with such adoration that it eases what lingering doubts I had about their relationship. He genuinely loves her, which I’m grateful for since it’s what she deserves. Still, it’s not enough to excuse how he sat there and watched Embree get crushed by her stepfather.
“What the hell was that, Ben?” I hiss in barely contained anger. “I just stood in that room,” I point towards the living room. “And thanked you for taking care of them in my absence, and yet you sat there and did nothing while that asshole tore her apart.”
He bows his head and blows out a breath. With his hands in his pockets, he at least has the good sense to look ashamed.
“I know how bad it looks, but I swear, I’ve stood up for her plenty. Many times. But the girls have repeatedly asked me to stay out of it. To not say a word when he gets started because it only makes things worse.”
“Worse?” I seethe. Conscious that those little girls are in the other room, I do my best to keep my voice down. “How could that possibly have gone worse?”
“I admit it. It was bad in a way it hasn’t been in quite some time. Not to make excuses, but Emilia hasn’t come to one of these since before Creed left. We’d forgotten what it’s like. I think it caught us by surprise.”
“You’re f*****g right that’s no excuse. Uncle George would be in a murderous rage if he’d witnessed that. Why would Aunt Muriel let him speak to her like that?”
With a deep sigh, Ben shakes his head. “We don’t understand it, either. Something in her changed when George got sick. I don’t know all the details, but not six months after he died, Harold was already in the picture. Since then, she’s let him run roughshod over Emilia. We’ve tried to intervene and have done our best to support her, but this thing with Creed, he’s like a dog with a bone.”
“What’s the deal there? All she’s said is he’s a Fed, and that he’s away working a case.”
“He’s FBI, and that’s about all she’s told us too. The problem is no one’s seen or heard from the guy since he left three years ago. She acts like she’s spoken to him, but honestly, I’m not so sure. Creed and I are friends. Whenever he was out of town, he’d find ways to connect with me. To get updates on how they were or to ask, I check in on them. Since he’s been gone, I haven’t heard from him. The last time I talked to him was the night before his flight out, and like always, he told me he’d be in touch.”
“But why would she lie? If she hasn’t spoken to him, I’d imagine she’d be worried sick. I would think that’s something she would share, at least with Jenny.”
“I’m not so sure. Emilia’s a lot like her mom in that she’s very private. Wants everyone to think everything is fine. If something’s wrong, say Harold’s right and he’s left her, I don’t know that she would tell us.” Like he’s regretting what he’s said, he blanches and then reaches up to rub the back of his neck. “Anyway, it’s not my place to put her business out there. If something’s happened, all we can do is wait until she’s ready to tell us.”
Exhausted by the turmoil swirling around Embree, my shoulders slump. I can’t imagine the stress she’s under. After three years of operating as a single mom with little support or understanding from her family, I really hope her husband has found a way to be there for her.
“Listen, I know you’re planning on leaving tomorrow. Can you spare a few minutes to stop by the office? Would love to show you around. Introduce you to the team. I know you have things to sort out, but seeing what we do firsthand might help. At the very least, it’ll give you an idea if it’s something you’d be interested in.”
My gut reaction is to decline, but it’s the mention of a team that sparks my sudden interest. After spending over a decade being part of a team, being without one is like losing a limb. The loss of something so inherently necessary, a piece of you that’s so ingrained with who you are, it’s like trying to take a deep breath with only one lung. Or like trying to feel your way without your sense of touch.
“Sure, why not? Text me the address and I’ll stop by on my way out.” Lifting my chin toward the argument in the next room, “Should I go in and say something to that asshole before I go?”
“Nooo! Take it from me, stay out of it, and get out while you can.”
I know he’s right. I’ve said my peace and made it clear he better watch how he treats her. Still, I hate that she’s in this position to begin with. And the thought that she’s alone and may have no one to turn to…
“About her husband. Have you looked into his situation at all? I know it’s not my business, but I’d feel a hell of a lot better if we could at least confirm his status.”
“I’ve tried. Quietly, at your sister’s behest. I’ve done everything short of hacking into the FBI. All we’ve dug up is that he was part of a covert, multi-agency operation somewhere in South America, but his trail goes cold after he left the States. I’d love to dig deeper, but I can’t risk pissing off the federal government.”
“Christ!” I shake my head. “Could be he’s gotten himself into trouble. Not all covert ops are sanctioned. Get caught while in the middle of one of those, and Uncle Sam will deny any knowledge of your existence. If things went south and he got wrapped up, we may never know the truth of it. If no one’s heard from him in three years, he’s either dead, in hiding, or he’s locked away in some godforsaken hellhole.”
“It’s crossed my mind. Any idea how the FBI would handle something like that? Would they tell her if something happened to him?”
“I’m guessing it depends on the circumstances. Has she said or done anything to show she’s been contacted by the Feds?” I ask.
“Nope. Not that I’m aware of. It’s always the same story. Creed’s on a case, which is why he hasn’t come home. When pressed on whether she’s talked to him, she passes it off as if she has.”
“I have contacts in D.C. who owe me favors from my SEAL Team days. I can ask around if you think it will help. See what we can dig up. Just need to make sure whatever we do doesn’t make things worse for her.”
“Can’t see how knowing for sure could make things any worse.” He says thoughtfully before a smirk pulls across his face. “Matter of fact, agree to join the team, and we’ll make that your first assignment.”
Sneaky bastard.
It takes some effort to look unaffected by his offer.
Feigning indifference, I shrug my shoulders and tell him, “Maybe. We’ll see.” The truth of the matter is, I’m beyond intrigued. The idea of having something to work through, a problem that needs to be solved, is far more tempting than I’m ready to admit. “About tonight…” I start to tell him when he interrupts.
“Don’t worry about it. I’ll let Parker and Will know you’ll catch up with them next time you’re in town. Because there will be a next time, right? I mean, no pressure or anything, but there better be a f*****g next time since you just promised my pregnant wife.”
As I’ve said, the bastard’s a controlling, passive-aggressive asshole.
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Author’s Note:
I LOVE Lucas's Alpha Protector side! He learned so much during this scene.
From the breakdown of Emilia's family after her father died, to the mysterious situation going on with her husband. And then to have Ben offer him a tour of the office, along with the opportunity of working with a team again, possibly to find answers that would help his Embree...
Lucas may not know it yet, but Ben's got him exactly where he wants him. ?
So what what was your favorite part from this chapter? I can’t wait to read all your comments!
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