Never Say Never, Part Four (Second Chance Contemporary Romance, Book 4)

by Melissa Shaw

  She raised a hand and knocked once, curt as she could make it.

  There were footsteps on the other side of the door, and she examined the new brass knocker which matched the locks.

  “Who’s there?” A timid voice rang out and Emily’s eyebrows climbed her forehead.

  “Amanda?” She checked the camera under the eaves, but it had been removed. That was strange. She scanned the entire porch, the nooks and crannies, but it was clear.

  Her blonde friend peered around the door, and beckoned for her to enter.

  “What’s going on?”

  Amanda shook her head, mute and she entered the mansion of doom, shrugging and rolling her shoulders. This was definitely not her favorite place to be.

  “He’s out of town on business,” she said. Her hair was pulled back tight, but strands feathered out of the bun at her crown. She wore baggy, torn jeans and an oversized sweater, with old coffee stains down the front.

  “Amanda, what are you still doing here? You’re supposed to be out of this hellhole by now, girl.” Emily grabbed her arm and spun her around. Amanda’s eyes were unfocussed, covered in the glaze stress.

  “I just can’t keep hanging on to this,” she whispered, gesturing to the carpeted halls, “but I’m afraid. What if he hurts me? What if he hurts the kids?”

  “Where are they?”

  “Upstairs, they’re fine, shaken up these days.” Amanda walked a few steps and rested her palms on the entrance hall table. She pressed down hard and sighed. “I don’t know what he’ll do if I tell him I’m leaving.”

  “Don’t tell him. I’ll take care of Becci and Jared, you take care of yourself.” She’d have to get them out before Amanda left, or he might do something to them out of spite. He’d surely suspect Emily’s involvement if his wife abandoned him.

  “I can’t leave right now, there’s too much pressure to stay. If I leave, he’ll find me and bring me back, I just know it.”

  “Then I’ll distract him.” Emily set her jaw and gave that wicked grin which had no mirth. She used it a lot lately, but what the hell? She’d spent long enough holding in the anger and pain, she was allowed revenge.

  “What will you do?” Amanda’s sentences were clipped off short. She was obviously on autopilot.

  “I’m going to bring him down. I’m going to rid us of that man for good.”

  “It won’t be that easy.”

  “I have the confession and the words he’s spoken himself. It will be enough to make sure he never bothers any of us again.”

  “I can’t see it happening,” Amanda replied, choking up. Tears spilled over her lids, but her expression didn’t change an iota. She was trapped by her agony and it broke bits of Emily, because she’d been there, she’d felt that before.

  She’d seen Brian in action and been through his manipulation.

  “I won’t stop until he’s out of our lives.”

  Amanda took three steps from the table and grabbed Emily by the upper arms. “He’ll never let us go,” she whispered, fierce and torn to pieces, “he’ll never let us go.”

  “He won’t have a choice.”

  “Mommy?” Becci appeared at the top of the stairs, closely followed by Jared. “Mommy!” She sprinted down the stairs, carrying her ratty teddy bear. “We thought you weren’t coming back again.”

  Emily swept her up and hugged her tight then brushed the loose strands of hair back from her daughter’s reddened cheeks and frowned. “Why would you think that?”

  “Daddy said you weren’t coming back again because you were bad.”

  “Don’t you listen to what your father says.” She tucked Becci’s head onto her shoulder and snuggled her for a moment longer, taking in a deep breath. Having her child in her arms felt right.

  Becci had been born in the middle of the night. She’d been in labor for five hours before they’d told her the baby was breech and they’d have to cut her out or risk losing her.

  Brian was away on business. He hadn’t come to see them in the hospital.

  “He’s getting angrier,” Jared said, shattering the memory into pieces. “He won’t let us see our friends anymore and he keeps muttering under his breath.”

  Maybe she’d pushed too hard on her last visit.

  “I see. Well, you guys stay out of his way no matter what. Be good, do exactly as he says and stay out of trouble. I will have you out of here in no time, okay?” Emily had faith in herself, hell, she had faith in this gut-wrenching anger.

  So many lives and relationships ruined because of Brian Ross.

  “What if he gets angry and hurts us?” Jared asked, and Emily’s heart thrummed a tune of sorrow. No son should have to speak about their father like this. Ross had so god damn much to answer for.

  “You call me right away. Or have Amanda call me, and I’ll come get you out, all right?” Emily placed Becci on the ground beside her and stroked the top of her head, then reached into her bag and brought out a small cell phone. It was a cheap one that could dial and text, and that was about it.

  “Take this and keep it secret. If you ever have any trouble, you call me on this phone.” She gave it to Jared and he ran into her arms and hugged her.

  A car door slammed outside, and Amanda flinched. “He’s home.”

  “I’ll go out the back. Kids, you get upstairs, and Amanda,” she paused then reached out to squeeze her friend’s hand, “stay strong.”

  “I’ll try.”

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  “That’s it for today, guys,” Emily called out to the class, pushing the button on the CD player and cutting off the salsa music.

  There was a collective groan of disdain from the dancers. They were partnered up and doing fantastically for a beginner group, flowing with the rhythm and enjoying themselves. It had been a good class and a damn good day.

  But Brian Ross trudged through Emily’s brain, leaving tracks of burning hatred in his wake.

  There was a lot to do and she had to bury her pride and contact Joseph about it. She couldn’t do this on her own, and she did genuinely like him as a person. Kinda.

  The dancers traipsed off, chatting to one another, shoes clicking on the hardwood floor. Emily smiled at the resonance of it in the hall – it was her favorite noise after a long day at ‘the office’.

  “You need a lift home, Emily?” A particularly hunky guy with a moustache and bulging muscles stopped in front of her, on hand on the backpack he’d slung over his shoulder, the other in the pocket of his pants.

  “I’m fine, thanks, I think I’ll walk.”

  “Walk?! You’ve got to be crazy. You can’t walk at this time of night, what if something happens to you?”

  Emily chuckled, if only he knew, then shook her head. “Trust me, I’ll be fine. I know how to handle myself on the streets.”

  He gave her a quizzical look, it was probably a strange sentiment for a square, and trundled off, casting glances back at her every few moments. That was his way of asking her out, no doubt. Too bad he didn’t come close to Chase in any way.

  Chase was in a league of his own. He was the other man wandering the labyrinth of her mind, leaving sorrow instead of rage.

  Emily sighed and packed the CD player in the closet against the back wall. The students milled around chatting, but she ushered them out with a few sharp calls and they moved off into the corridor adjacent.

  The day was over, and the sun had set on the horizon, casting a warm orange hue over the city street outside. She stared out of the window for a moment, then locked the door behind her and went to hang the key in the office.

  She was done for the day, at least.

  Emily strolled out into the road with a sigh, and stretched her neck. There was no question about bringing Brian down, but doing in a way that wouldn’t hurt Chase would be tricky.

  If only she knew more about their business relationship. It was surely innocent, but she couldn’t risk bringing Chase down in her vengeance.

  Her steps were sure and
she lost herself in the concrete jungle. Home wasn’t far, a place she’d never dreamed of having after the arrest. Her life, god she could barely breathe thinking about it, had changed completely.

  Brian had taught her that loving him was never enough, and he’d punished her for it.

  Chase was unable to accept her love. Why was he this weak? How could he let Janet back into his life when he could resolve things with her?

  Emily shook her head, willing the tears back into the depths of her soul. She turned the corner into the shortcut alley she took to get to her place, and the thump of footsteps followed her.

  “Not again,” she whispered. She glanced back and gave a low growl, the kind a feral cat would make. There was a man back there, tall and outfitted in black. He was bald, stocky, and he was close.

  That was one of Ross’ lackeys, it had to be.

  “Got a minute?” He asked, and she made a break for it.

  Emily sprinted down the alleyway, at full speed, feet sliding around in her pumps. Her heart raced.

  “Fuck,” the guy swore and lumbered after her. This was a part of her life she’d thought she’d left behind, god damn it. She wasn’t a damn stripper anymore, she had no bad debt. Only Brian to chase after her for what she might know. “Come back here, girl,” he jeered in the darkness.

  “Bite me, Baldie,” she yelled back at him. Then burst into the street and carried on down it. Another back road, it was too quiet and he followed her, gaining.

  “You’re mine now,” he grunted, grasping the back of her shirt and tugging her backwards. She leaned forwards and the material ripped away. She ran harder, pumping her arms and injecting her energy into moving forward.

  Into one more step.

  But he was too close. If he caught her… who knew? Take her to Brian? Kill her? Rape?

  Ross had taken it too far this time, he was obviously unstable.

  Emily sprinted down the road and towards her apartment block, but the thug didn’t give up easy. He chased her, panting heavy and slamming his feet into the tarmac.

  Too close, the door was a few feet away. She had to reach it! She could lock him out and get a good look at his face.

  Emily dashed up the stairs ahead of her attacker.

  He came up behind and grabbed at her shoulder.

  She grasped the handle and pulled, but he slammed her into the glass and held her there.

  “Let go!”

  “You’re coming with me.” He muttered into her ear.

  “What’s going on here?” The assailant sprang away and turned. Joseph stood on the stairs below them, glaring. “Who the hell are you?”

  The bald man ran down the stairs and across the street, disappearing into the shadows again.

  Emily leaned against the door, gasping for air, the fear coursed through her still.

  “Oh my god, Emily, are you okay?”

  She gripped her throat and closed her eyes, flashing back to Big Nick and the torture of her past. She’d thought she was past this, but her insides were a jellied mess of terror.

  “I’ll be fine,” she managed. “You wanna come in?”

  CHAPTER NINE

  “Are you sure you’re okay?” Joseph stood at the window, staring down at the street below and clutching his arms.

  Emily gripped her cup of coffee and balanced on the end of her sofa. “Yes, I’m fine. Unfortunately, I’ve gotten used to that kind of behavior. Brian Ross will stop at nothing to get to me.”

  “He’s a dangerous man,” Joseph replied, then turned and came over to sit next to her. “I’m sorry about the other day, I didn’t mean to upset you or pressure you. I hope you know that.” He didn’t try to touch her and it was a nice change from his usual cloying attitude.

  “Thanks, I really need a friend right now.” Emily rolled the half-empty mug between her palms and soaked up the heat. The windows were closed, but there was a bone-deep fear which had settled in her and sucked the warmth from her soul.

  What had Brian wanted to achieve?

  The question darted around in her mind, stuck in place and torturing her as surely as her ex-husband had. Mental torture was his forte. Mental torture. She snapped her fingers and Joseph flinched.

  That was it!

  The bald guy was an attempt to fuck with her mind. He wanted to weaken her or scare her. He wanted her to back off!

  Bastard.

  “What’s going on?”

  “I need a way of getting back at Brian.”

  “You have everything you need to destroy him in your hands.” Joseph’s reply was even, and he shifted on the sofa to get a better look at Emily’s face.

  She raised the cup. “I have a cup in my hands.”

  “You know what I mean.”

  “Yeah, I guess I do, but I don’t see a way to do it without bringing Chase down. I can’t risk him,” she whispered the last sentence, and Joseph moved around again.

  “Do you have any wine?”

  Emily shook her head. “No, and I think you’ve had enough wine to last you a life time. Besides, I need you to focus on the problem at hand right now. I do really need your help, Joseph.”

  “That’s a first,” he grumbled, and Emily frowned.

  “I’ve always needed your help.” She placed the mug on the coffee table with a clink. “What I didn’t need was your agendas.”

  “Agendas!” He jumped up and marched to the kitchen then turned and came back. He’d loosened the collar of his shirt and run a hand through his hair.

  “Yes, I wasn’t born yesterday, Joseph, I know you didn’t want to be my friend for the sake of it. There’s always an agenda.”

  “You’re too cynical,” he replied.

  “I’m realistic. Regardless, I need your help right now. Are you willing to give it to me?”

  The tone on Emily’s phone jingled and Joseph handed her the handbag. She pulled out her smartphone and swiped on the message icon.

  Lucky girl. Lucky, lucky, girl. Oh well, there’s always next time.

  It was a text from an unknown number. She stared at the screen, biting her bottom lip, and Joseph slid in next to her.

  “What’s wrong?”

  “He’s after me. If I go after him, he’ll try to destroy me or the kids or Amanda.” The burning rage was there, but this time it was accompanied by anxiety. If he hurt the kids, she’d never forgive herself.

  Joseph took the phone from her limp hand and examined the screen. “How do you know this is from him?”

  “Who else? There’s no one who’d want to hurt me except for him. He just doesn’t want to incriminate himself.”

  “Does he know you have his confession?”

  “Of course not,” Emily said, then pushed her fingers through her long blonde hair. “I’m not stupid, but I did confront him about what happened, so he knows I know the truth.”

  “Then he’s trying to keep you off his back for long enough.”

  “Long enough?”

  “He’s going to do something big.” Joseph cocked his head to the side and gave her the smartphone. “It makes senses, think about it, he’s distracting you or threatening you long enough to come up with a method of getting rid of the threat for good.”

  “That sounds like Brian. But how do you know?”

  Joseph hesitated then broke away from her gaze. “I’ve seen it before. Brian is a manipulator and he doesn’t want you to do anything. He’s trying to scare you off.”

  “It’s working,” Emily admitted, and a well of shame exploded inside her. She’d been so afraid of him before, then found the strength in the hopes of a better future for her children, and now this.

  Joseph gripped her arm and pulled her focus around. “Don’t ever give up, Emily.”

  “How can I do this on my own? I was so angry at him for what he did, so determined to get back at him, that I didn’t stop to think whether it was even possible to get that revenge.” She stared at that blank TV screen again.

  “You’re not on your own,”
he said, then paused and cleared his throat, “you have me. I mean, if you want my help after everything that’s happened.”

  “I do. I need your help, Joseph, I don’t just want it. I don’t know where to start with this. I have the resources, but I just don’t know what to do with them.” She smacked tears off her cheeks in frustration.

  “Hey, relax, it’s okay,” Joseph whispered, grabbing a box of tissues and offering her one. “We’re going to do this together.”

  She blew her nose noisily and he chuckled, but waited for her to speak.

  “Thank you, Joseph.”

  “No problem,” he said, dusting off his pants. “Are you ready?”

  “For what?” She chewed her lip and reached for the cold coffee, then grimaced and left it on the table instead.

  “To take down Brian Ross.”

  Emily gritted her teeth. “Absolutely.”

  CHAPTER TEN

  Emily straightened her pencil skirt and squared her shoulders.

  The door swung inwards and Joseph gave a warm smile. “I’m so glad you could make it. I’ve got a few propositions which I think you’ll approve of.”

  “What kinds of propositions?” Emily’s suspicion gauge went crazy. This didn’t feel right to her – could she really trust Joseph on this one?

  “Come on in and relax.” He opened up wider and she entered the leather-festooned office, decorated in different shades of brown and burnt orange. “Trust me on this one, I’ve got your best interests at heart.” The door clicked closed and he turned the key.

  Alarm bells went off in her mind, but she didn’t try to leave. Instead, she strolled to the leather chair and plopped down in it. Hopefully, he’d come to a solution which she couldn’t.

  Joseph circled to his side of the expansive desk and took a seat, flipping the top of a dossier open and closed in idle play.

  “So,” he pronounced, opening it again, then glancing down and clicking his tongue. “Brian Ross needs to be taken down and there are two ways you can do it.”