by A J Manney
That snapped Emma back to the present. “Right.” They made their way outside. Emma was grateful to see the car was already running, so it would be nice and warm.
The ride to the shop was more talkative than normal. Madison kept a running dialogue, and Kyle responded whenever she came up for air. Emma just watched the scenery out her window.
Emma walked into the coffee shop and stopped for a moment. A strong cleaning smell hit her nose. She stood still as memories from the last time she had been here flooded her mind. Helen came and stood next to her. She linked her arm through Emma. “You okay?” she asked in a somber voice.
Emma nodded. “Are you?” she asked Helen.
Helen nodded resolutely. “It’s going to take more than that to stop us.” Emma nodded. “Here. We got new locks on the doors and new keys. I made an extra one for you.” Emma took the key.
“Thank you for entrusting me with this,” she said to Helen sincerely.
Helen laughed. “I think we’re way past that now, girl. I’d trust you to run the whole thing for a month if I had to.” Emma smiled, encouraged by Helen’s complete trust of her.
You ready to get back to work?” Helen asked.
Emma smiled. “Yes.”
“All right then. Let’s do this.” Emma made her way into the back room to grab an apron and get to work. It wasn’t long before the smell of fresh coffee beans filled the air. Soon after that, the smell of baking cinnamon rolls filled the shop. Emma took a deep breath, the scents relaxing her. This was where she belonged. This was her happy place. With a smile on her face, she started serving customers. Business was hopping as news of what had happened had drawn customers—some in show of support, others just curious. Either way, customers were customers; and both Helen and Emma were thankful for the business and the distraction.
During one of the lulls, Emma took coffee and cinnamon rolls to the table in the back where Kyle and Madison were hunched over a laptop with papers scattered around them. Madison looked up when Emma got close. “I brought you coffee.” She handed them each a coffee. “Black dark roast for you, Kyle; and our special right now for you, Madison. It’s a latte with cinnamon, maple, and little hints of butterscotch.”
“Ooh,” Madison said. She put the cup up to her mouth and took a small sip. “Oh my goodness; that’s to die for.”
Emma smiled. “I’m glad you like it. I’ve got to get back to work.” She walked back to the front of the store with a smile on her face. She had created that drink, working at it until she got it just how she wanted it. It was her favorite drink right now. She usually made one for her break and enjoyed sipping on it coming to and from the library. When it was time for her break, Madison talked her into getting sandwiches from the shop a few doors down, even though Emma had packed a lunch. Ever since she had moved into the house, she packed a lunch the night before. It was usually just a sandwich and an apple or something similar. It was so nice to have food for her break. Well, food and coffee.
“What do you do when you’re stuck in the shop all day?” she asked on their way back to the shop. She directed the question to Kyle because he had spent many hours at Sip and Drip.
“Garrett always has work for us,” he said, not really telling her anything.
They were walking along when suddenly Kyle put his hand up, stopping them. Madison immediately stepped behind Emma, pinning her between the two of them. He motioned them into the alley. Without warning, two guys came at them. Emma had no idea where they even came from. Kyle and Madison instantly responded. Emma prepared to fight, but she never got a chance. Kyle and Madison sent them running. Madison turned to check on Emma. “Are you good?”
“Yeah, I didn’t get to do anything,” Emma pouted.
Kyle came to stand in front of them. “I think we should get Emma home.”
“No,” Emma said instantly.
Kyle looked at her. “They were wolves, Emma. They could come back. I need to call Garrett. ”
“No, wait.” Emma said. “Look, they’re gone now. They’re probably not going to come back when they know they can’t take you. Let’s just go back inside. Wait to call Garrett until my shift is done, please? I’ve already missed so much time already. I need to be here to help Helen,” Emma pleaded with him.
Madison looked at Kyle, and he gave a short nod. “Fine,” Kyle said. “But if they show up again; we’re out of here.”
“Agreed,” Emma said.
They walked back to the shop quickly. Madison and Kyle were on full alert. They walked with her sandwiched between them. Once they made it back to Sip and Drip, Emma got right back to work. She noticed at one point that Kyle and Madison had moved to the table closest to the front door. She smiled at their protective tendencies. She was busy serving customers when she heard a familiar voice. She grimaced but forced a smile to her face as she turned to face the customer. “Hi, Kevin,” she said.
“Hey, Emma,” he said in a too-loud voice. “How’s my favorite barista?” he asked with a smile. He was so relaxed and calm that Emma couldn’t help but smile back.
“I’m good. How about yourself?” she asked.
“I’d be a lot better if you would agree to go out with me again?” he asked.
Emma froze for a moment. She didn’t know what to say. She really didn’t want to go out with him. He was nice, but she just wasn’t into him. There wasn’t the kind of connection with Kevin that she felt with Garrett. Besides, she thought Garrett had made it clear that he didn’t want Kevin around her. Maybe he hadn’t gotten the point; or maybe he didn’t care. Either way, she couldn’t go out with him and risk the wrath of Garrett. It was not a pleasant thing to behold, but she didn’t know how to get out of it without making Kevin feel bad.
“You’re not going to leave a guy hanging, are you?” Kevin asked with a grin.
“I don’t know,” Emma started. “I think...”
“Don’t think. Just say yes,” Kevin cut her off.
“Well I,” she tried but he cut her off again.
“I’m a police officer, Emma. Nothing bad is going to happen. You will be perfectly safe unless you just don’t like me. If that’s the case, just say the word. I don’t want to make you do something you don’t want to do,” he said in a hurt voice.
“No, no. It’s not that. I do like you, I just—” she started but Kevin cut her off.
“Great. Then it’s a date. I’ll pick you up here at the shop tomorrow at one p.m.” He turned and left without another word.
Emma stared after him for a moment before putting both hands over her face. She tilted her head back. How in the world did I end up with a date with him again? she asked herself. “Garrett’s going to kill me,” she mumbled.
“Yes, he is,” Madison said, causing Emma to jump. “I don’t like that guy,” Madison said in anger, looking over her shoulder at the door Kevin had just exited.
“I’m sorry. I don’t know what happened. I told him I didn’t want to go out with him, but somehow I’m going on a date with him again,” Emma commiserated.
“Word of advice?” Kyle said, slipping into the conversation. “Don’t let Garrett hear it from somebody else. You be the one to tell him,” he said. “Call him as soon as your shift is done.”
Panic hit Emma. “I can’t call him.”
Madison looked sympathetic but resolute. “You need to. It will be better this way.”
“Better for who?” Emma asked, but neither of them answered her. A customer came in, and Kyle and Madison turned away from the counter to go back to their table. She took the customer’s order and made his drink, but her mind was far away. How in the world was she going to tell a certain alpha that somehow, she had another date with Kevin looming?
Chapter 29
Emma finished her shift and clocked out, all the while dreading having to talk to Garrett. Kyle left her no choice. They walked across the street to where the car was parked. As soon as they got into the car, he turned to Emma. “Call him,” he ordered.
Kyle shook his head. “Call him.”
“Fine,” Emma grumbled. She pulled out her phone and pulled up favorites where Garrett’s number was stored. She put the phone up to her ear, trying to control her breathing as it began to ring.
Garrett picked up on the first ring. “Emma?” His deep voice came across the line. “What’s wrong?” he demanded. It startled Emma so much she didn’t answer right away. “Emma,” he barked out at her. “What happened?”
Sheesh, he’s demanding. "Nothing happened,” Emma began, trying to find the words to say. “Well, I mean I something did happen, but Madison and Kyle took care of it. Nothing to worry about. That’s not why I’m calling. I—”
“What happened, Emma?” he asked in a low, dangerous voice.
Emma sighed. “Look, it was nothing. Two guys attacked us; Kyle said they were wolves. But like I said, nothing happened. Kyle and Madison took care of them. Madison’s amazing by the way,” Emma rambled.
“Put Kyle on the phone,” Garrett demanded.
Emma pulled the phone away from her ear and rolled her eyes, handing it to Kyle. Kyle took the phone as if he had been expecting this. “Yeah,” Kyle answered. “She’s not hurt,” he said right away. He began to explain to Garrett what had happened. Emma tuned him out. She had lived it; she didn’t need to hear it repeated. When he finished, he handed the phone back at Emma.
Emma took it reluctantly. “Hello.”
“Are you okay?” Garrett asked.
“I’m fine, just like I told you. Kyle and Madison took care of them,” Emma said with a little bite in her voice.
“Kyle said you have something else to tell me,” Garrett continued.
“Of course, he did,” Emma said with a scowl at Kyle. She took a deep breath. “So, Kevin came into the shop today.” Emma paused. She didn’t hear a sound from Garrett. That wasn’t good. “I don’t really know exactly how it happened. I mean, I told him I couldn’t go out with him, but...” her voice trailed off. Still no sound from Garrett. “Anyway, well he kind of pushed me and I kind of agreed and I’m supposed to go out with him tomorrow.” She rushed through the words quickly and took a breath. She waited; still nothing from Garrett. “Garrett?” she questioned softly.
“I’ll take care of it,” he said in a voice that made Emma shiver.
“What are you going to do?” she asked, worried now for Kevin.
“Not for you to worry about,” he said in an angry voice.
“Just don’t hurt him or kill him or something. I’m pretty sure you can get into big trouble doing something like that to a policeman,” Emma said.
“Are you worried about him?” He practically growled the words at her.
“Don’t give me an attitude. Of course I’m worried about him. I've seen what you turn into,” Emma said.
“You good if we take off?” Madison asked softly.
Emma nodded. “Oh, wait,” she said to Madison.
“What’s wrong?” Garrett asked.
“Oh, sorry I was talking to Madison. Just a second, Garrett,” she said. She covered up the phone to look at Madison and Kyle. “I left my purse in there. Just let me grab it really quick.” She wasn’t used to carrying a purse around, but now that she actually had money, she was trying to get used to it. She wanted to be able to pay her own way whether it was when they ate out or when they went to the store. She needed her wallet just in case. “You guys can wait here. I’m just going across the street.” She stepped out of the car and jogged over to the other side of the street.
After using her key to open the shop, she stepped inside and put the phone back up to her ear. “Hey, Garrett, I’m sorry. I just had to run inside to grab my purse.”
“Are Madison and Kyle with you?” he asked.
“No, they’re right outside, and don’t get mad at them. I told them to wait in the car,” Emma said. She grabbed her purse from the back room and came back out into the shop.
“They’re supposed to stay with you at all times,” Garrett said.
Emma rolled her eyes as she walked to the front door. “You sure are bossy,” she said. A flash of something outside caught her eye and she looked out the window. Everything inside of her froze in fear. She watched in horror as her step-brother stopped in front of the shop. He had two of his buddies with him. Emma couldn’t breathe. Alec turned towards the window and Emma dropped to her knees behind the pillar near the front door. Suddenly, she remembered she was still on the phone with Garrett.
“Emma, Emma.” It finally registered that he was calling her name.
“Garrett,” she whispered in terror. “He’s here.” She couldn’t get any other words to form.
“Who?” Garrett responded immediately.
“My s-st-step-b-brother,” she managed to get out in spite of her terror. It was silent for a moment.
“Emma, listen to me. I put out a pack call. Madison and Kyle are coming now even as we speak. The others will be there soon. Go to the back room. Lock yourself in there until they get there. Go, Emma. Now.” If Garrett’s words hadn’t motivated her; the sounds of fighting outside would have. She stood up and began moving towards the back room. She glanced out the window and halted in her tracks. Madison and Kyle were still in human form, probably because they were in view of anybody that happened to walk past. That wasn’t what made her stop, though. What made her stop was that Madison had blood streaming down her face. The sight infuriated Emma. Madison was her friend and didn’t deserve to get pulled into Emma’s mess.
“Emma, answer me!” Garrett yelled in her ear.
Emma startled. “I have to go out there. They hurt Madison,” Emma said.
“Don’t you dare,” Garrett thundered at her. “Emma, you listen to me. Get your backside in the backroom, now! I’m not far.”
Emma heard a noise behind her and turned around. The blood drained from her face.
“Hello, sister. I’ve missed you.”
Emma screamed and tried to run towards the back door, but Alec tackled her to the ground. She looked around desperately for her phone. She sat up to grab it but he kicked her hard, sending her back to the floor. With his knee on her back to keep her from moving, Alec reached out and picked it up. “Looking for this?” he asked with a smirk. Emma reached for it, but he pulled it away and put it up to her ear. “I’m sorry. Emma’s not going to be able to talk to you right now. She’s a little busy,” he said with a smile directed towards her. Emma heard the roar of rage through the phone.
“Garrett!” she screamed. Alec grabbed her hair and yanked her head back.
“Miss me?” he asked. Fear coursed through Emma. She tried to remember her training, but her mind was blank with terror. Alec bent over her, holding her head back at an awkward, painful angle. “You made a big mistake running away. You have no idea what you are messing with. This is bigger than you or me, little sister. There’s no way you’re escaping what’s coming to you. I’ll be back for you when you least expect it, and next time those wolves won’t be around to do anything about it.” He kicked her one last time and she curled into a fetal position.
The door to the shop crashed open. Emma opened her eyes, looking wildly around and saw that Alec was gone. Liam was next to her a moment later. “Check the back,” he thundered. He dropped next to Emma. “Emma, where are you hurt?” She tried responding, but couldn’t get her tongue to work.
She couldn’t talk; she was trying to suck in air from the hit she had taken. Liam gently rolled her over. “Take a breath, Emma,” he said. “There you go.”
The next thing she knew, Liam was pushed aside and Garrett was next to her. He was in her face a moment later. She could see the fury in his eyes, but he was gentle with her. “Where all are you hurt?”
“Just my stomach and ribs,” she managed to get out while taking shallow breaths. It hurt to breathe.
“Paul will be here any moment. Once he gives the okay, we’ll get you out of here,” he said. He sto
od up and started barking orders. Emma just closed her eyes, willing the world to disappear.
Paul showed up at some point. Emma was vaguely aware of him checking her injuries, but she didn’t open her eyes. She felt him wrap her ribs; then he made her take some pills. Through it all, she didn’t respond. She just wanted to escape the nightmare that had become her life. Sometime later, she felt herself lifted. Once again, she didn’t open her eyes. She knew it was Garrett by the smell and feel of him. She wanted to open her eyes, but they were too heavy. She heard Garrett barking out orders again; then they were moving.
It wasn’t long before she was in the backseat of a Land Rover. She heard Liam and Max’s voice up front. She sat in the back across Garrett’s lap. She lay perfectly still against his chest, trying to calm the churning in her stomach. Eventually, they stopped. Garrett slid out of the car easily, still carrying her. Emma managed to open her eyes briefly. She didn’t recognize where they were. Garrett began walking up the sidewalk towards a beautiful log cabin. “Where are we?” she asked softly.
Garrett looked down at her. “My place,” he said. Emma wasn’t really sure what that meant. Was it another place he owned, similar to the one she had already been living in, or did he actually live here? She closed her eyes as he carried her inside the house.
Soon, she felt herself being lowered. She felt the softness of a bed. She tried to open her eyes, but any energy she had was depleted. “You’re in my home, Emma. I’ll watch over you and make sure you’re safe. Just rest now; let your body heal while the pain reliever is working.”
Emma wanted to say something, but whatever Paul had given her was too strong. She closed her eyes and let the darkness take her away to a place where there was no pain and terrifying step-brothers.
Emma woke up sometime later. She tried to move and gasped as pain thrummed through her body. Garrett stood in front of her. “Let me help you sit up and you can take these painkillers Paul left for you.” He put his arm behind her and propped her up gently. Even though he was careful, it still hurt. Emma grimaced in pain. Emma quickly took the pills and Garrett lowered her gently back to the bed. Within moments, the pills knocked her out again.