"Fuck," Brooke said. "How did he even get your picture?
"He probably got it from your mom's house," Giselle said.
Brooke whistled. "That was ballsy."
"And his first move," Rowan looked around the room. "Now we can come up with a plan. It seems Derek doesn't want to come for Emma directly. What does that tell us?"
"That he doesn't want this situation to drag on," Giselle supplied.
"True. Now we know that we need to act even faster than we normally would."
"But how?" Mara asked. "I hate to sound negative, but we're all the way here. We have no contacts in Conventon. Even if we wanted to charge in and get Emma's mother, we'd have no backup. I doubt Tyler and his guys would be willing to join us now. Things with the Bravehearts have been pretty rough lately. If he leaves, someone might come for his alpha title."
Jade lowered her head in concentration. Her friends were right. All of this was made difficult by the fact that Derek and Emma's mother were so far away. The Whiteheart didn't have the resources to eliminate a top-notch assassin, get out of town fast enough, then return to Falhurst and deal with the fallout of those actions.
"So there's no hope then," Emma said, her voice low. None of the team heard her as they were rooted in a debate. Jade placed a hand over the younger woman's, ignoring the raised eyebrow Mara sent her way and squeezed it.
"We're just thinking aloud is all. We'll come up with something."
"Wait," Rowan yelled. "This isn't the kind of thing we'll figure out in a matter of minutes."
"Rowan's right," Mara said. "Let's stop yelling, and calling each other's ideas stupid." She gave Giselle a pointed look, and the wolf shifter raised her hand up in defense.
Then an idea began to form in Jade's mind. Perhaps they were approaching all of this wrong. Maybe, instead of trying to find a way to get Emma's mother out of Conventon, they should focus on protecting her until they could get the heat off her.
"I've got an idea." Jade stood up, understanding the need to command the attention of the room. "We're trying to come up with a way to get Emma's mother out of Conventon, but that's not possible right now. Sorry, Emma, but it's true."
"Go on," Rowan said, her eyes darting to Emma who sat emotionally drained on the couch. Jade hated to see the blonde woman's emotions swing so wildly, but she understood the reason behind it. Now it was time for her to offer Emma some peace and comfort. The kind that would keep her going until they found a permanent solution.
"The ultimate goal is to get Emma's mother out of Conventon and to get Derek off both Emma and her mother's trail. We'll figure that part out pretty soon, but in the meantime, there is something that we can do. Emma's safe here with us, so Derek can't get to her. But her mother isn't. Why doesn't one of us go to Conventon and protect her?"
Giselle scoffed. "Really? I hate to call it a dumb idea, but—"
"Don't." Rowan raised a hand and moved her lips as she mumbled to herself. "That's a great idea."
Giselle threw her hands up in the air. "Explain. Because last time I checked, Emma's mother doesn't know anything about Derek or the shifter world. Oh, and Derek will scent one of us if we're anywhere near her."
"We don't have to be near her." Rowan smiled and looked at Emma. "What type of neighborhood does your mother live in? Do you have a lot of trees nearby?"
Emma turned to look up at Jade with a confused expression. "Yeah, but not a lot."
"Perfect! Tyler's dating a crow shifter. I think his name is Ben. He's been looking for work, and Tyler asked me to consider letting him join our company. Anyway, the point is, that he's got time on his hands, and we have money.
"All Ben has to do is follow Emma's mother around, then report back to us on Derek's coming and goings. For all we know, Derek may have washed his hands of her. If he hasn't, then Ben is a capable fighter. If worse comes to worse, he'll intervene and do his best to keep Emma's mother safe. I doubt it'll come to that because we'll have a plan in place long before then."
Emma inhaled. "You'd be willing to do that for me? I told you I don't have any money."
"How many times do I have to tell you your money's no good here. We're friends now, and friends help each other. Jade just did that by coming up with a brilliant idea."
"Ugh," Giselle said getting up. "Don't say that. I think her head just grew two sizes. Any more, and she'll be able to fly with that empty thing."
Jade picked up a pillow and flung it at Giselle. The wolf shifter dodged before leaving the house in a run. All her friends laughed, but Jade wasn't mad. They'd just found a way to ease Emma's worry, and she hoped the younger woman would see the new plan as a positive development.
When Jade sat back down on the couch, Emma pulled her into a hug and whispered, "thank you" in her ear. Goosebumps immediately broke out over Jade's skin, and she felt her nipples harden in response to Emma's generous chest being pushed up against hers.
Lord have mercy, Jade thought. I want her something fierce.
Emma broke the contact far too soon for Jade's liking but made up for it with a peck on the cheek. Jade felt her cheeks flame, and it only got worse when she met her teammates' eyes. She could swear they could read her mind and her nipples.
Jade folded her arms over her chest and cleared her throat. "So, when are you going to call Tyler?"
"Right away." Rowan smiled. "He'll be happy about this, I think. If Ben leaves tonight, he should be there tomorrow. I'll ask him to get a couple of photos of your mother, Emma. That should help ease your mind."
Emma reached for Jade's hand and smiled, her eyes watery. "Thank you all so much. You don't have to do any of this, but you took me in, and now you're spending money on me."
"You're our friend, and we only want the best for you," Mara said, getting up to hug Emma. That action meant Emma pulled her hand away, leaving Jade feeling cold for no reason. She mentally shook her head.
Jade had been the type of person that hated physical affection. Even from her friends. But she didn't seem to mind it with Emma, which meant one thing: her walls were starting to slip, and she was dangerously close to letting her guard down.
Why was this happening? Jade already knew. Emma made her feel things. Things she hadn't felt in years.
Emma turned to speak to Jade, but the older woman quickly got off the couch with a lame excuse about needing the bathroom. She couldn't let herself fall for someone else. Not when she knew what awaited them at the end of that tunnel.
Get it together, Jade told herself. You're not right for her or any other woman. No amount of time will change that.
7
The following morning, Emma woke up feeling happier than she'd been in a long time. Last night, Rowan had confirmed that Ben was on his way to Conventon and that he was eager to prove himself.
Emma had fallen asleep fast, knowing that a fighting shifter was going to keep an eye out for her mother. It wasn't the ideal situation, but it was the best the Whiteheart could offer. And, more importantly, it was Emma's only option.
She smiled as she replayed the moment where Jade had come up with the brilliant idea. Emma wanted to kiss her there and then, and she probably would have if the other clan members weren't present. But then Jade had taken off soon after that, making it clear that she had no interest in pursuing their physical attraction.
Emma got it. Jade had a lot on her plate. Emma herself had a lot to deal with. She and her mother still weren't out of the woods.
This was not the time for a relationship, and she seriously doubted that Jade was even interested in one. Yesterday, while spending time with Giselle, the wolf shifter had mentioned that Jade kept to herself whenever they went to the Titanrun.
No one interested in a relationship would do that. Unless Jade wanted someone else to take the lead?
Emma shook her head. There was no point in speculating. For now, things were looking bright. Her mother was safe, and so was she. The rest would be figured out in time.
Emma picked up her
towel, a pair of shorts, and a t-shirt from the chair in the corner of the room. As she made her way down the hallway, she heard the tell-tale sounds of the shower running. Emma sighed and dumped her stuff back in her room, before heading down for breakfast.
It was a Saturday, and Mara had promised to make her something special. Remembering that the older woman worked at a bakery made Emma's mouth water. While she didn't starve, she didn't have the money for quality treats. She instinctively knew from the care that Mara had shown that whatever got served, would be special indeed.
"Morning," Mara called, with a grin on her face.
"Morning," Emma said, at the same time Brooke piped up. "Can we eat now? You're killing me with that smell."
Mara chuckled. They were the only three awake. Giselle was probably sleeping off her late night. Rowan and Eva were likely curled up together in bed. Those two were inseparable, which meant that Jade was the one in the shower.
"Now that our honored guest has arrived, you can have a slice."
Mara pulled a pie out of the oven and placed it at the center of the kitchen table. Emma didn't even have to ask what it was. The smell alone gave it away.
"Key lime pie."
"That's you're favorite. Right?"
Emma nodded. "How did you know?"
"Giselle told me, believe it or not. Who knew she was such a great listener?"
Brooke laughed. "Not me. That's for sure."
Mara cut up a few slices for them to enjoy. Emma stood, her legs frozen in place. No one and she meant no one, had ever done something thoughtful for her. Her mother wasn't capable of it, and her sister left home and seemed to forget about her too.
That was one of the things that Emma didn't like to think about. When her sister left home, she didn't just leave their mother. Amy left Emma too. She didn't call to wish her younger sister a happy birthday, and they barely spoke.
And now, two women that she'd only known a few days had figured out what her favorite pie was and made it. Emma lifted both hands and fanned her face, hoping to dry the tears that were forming in her eyes.
"Oh, honey," Mara called walking over to hug Emma. "Are you okay?"
Emma laughed as she wiped the tears away. "Yeah. It's just that no one has done something like this for me."
"Well get used to it." Mara pulled Emma along to the kitchen table. "We're friends now. No matter what happens, we'll always have each other. Conventon isn't too far away. I'd love to come up there for a girls’ day."
Emma's eyebrows shot up. "Really?"
"Of course! You're a great girl."
"I'd be up for that trip too," Brooke said. "That's one of the great things about shifters. We're loyal to a fault. I hate to scare you, but you're stuck with us, lady."
Emma chuckled. "I'd like that."
"Good. Now sit down so that I can dig into this pie. You may not know this, but Mara makes the best pie, and it’s only for special occasions."
Emma grinned and took a bite of the slice that was offered to her. Her mouth exploded with a tart flavor, tempered with just the right amount of sugar. The light, airy consistency of the custard made it slide down Emma's throat smoothly.
"Oh, my god! This is amazing."
Mara patted Emma's shoulder. "Glad you like it. Let's all dig in."
"Oh, thank god!" Brooke groaned as she took her first bite. Emma burst out laughing. She may not have wanted this entire situation with Derek to have come about, but she was enjoying herself this particular morning. And now, she had friends that promised to visit her.
Ain't that a hoot, she thought.
After breakfast, Emma ran back up to the bathroom, only to hear the shower still running. She frowned. Rowan, Emma, and even Giselle had all come down for breakfast and raved about the pie she’d just enjoyed. What could Jade have been doing in the bathroom?
Emma leaned her ear against the door, curiosity getting the better of her. Seconds later, her heartbeat sped up as she heard the sound of broken sobs. Jade was crying, all by herself.
Emma knocked on the door. Getting no answer, she hit the door even harder. When the same response greeted her, she bit her bottom lip. Jade deserved privacy. As someone who was so stoic, she probably wouldn't want anyone to know she was crying.
An ache settled into Emma's chest as she thought of Jade, seated on the toilet with her head in her hands, all alone. No one deserved to deal with pain alone. Emma should know. She'd done it all her life, and it wasn't fun.
Taking a deep breath, she pried the bathroom door open and stuck her head in. The sight that met her caused her shoulders to droop and her breath to catch. There on the bathroom floor, lay a fully clothed Jade, in the fetal position, bawling her eyes out.
"Jade," Emma called, as she shut the door behind her. The older woman sat up quickly, scrubbing her face down as she fought to catch her breath.
"What are you doing in here?" she croaked.
"I knocked a couple of times, and you didn't answer."
Emma dropped to her knees in front of the woman she'd started to develop feelings for. There was no point in denying them now. The sight of a platonic friend crying on the bathroom floor shouldn't have affected her the way it did.
Emma's heart was breaking for Jade, and heaviness had settled over her limbs. Where she'd felt light and energetic before, now she felt cold, and her vision blurred as she reached out a hand to push back an errant strand of Jade's hair.
"What's got you so upset, hmm? I hate to see you like this."
Jade's bottom lip pouted, and she hyperventilated as she tried to force down a new wave of sobs.
"Don't," Emma said, pulling the shorter woman to her. "Not with me. You don't have to be strong with me."
For the next few minutes, Emma held and rocked Jade as she cried. The sound of her sobs grew low and throaty, and Emma quickly found herself crying along. This wasn't something superficial. That kind of broken cry came over something profound. A deep scar that hadn't healed.
I've got to do my best to help her start the healing process, Emma thought.
She gently pulled back from Jade and wiped the older woman's tears with her hands. Jade sniffed then laughed. "I can't believe I'm crying on the bathroom floor and that you joined me." Emma smiled as Jade lifted a hand to wipe her tears, too.
"I hate to see you cry."
Jade drew a shaky breath and whispered, "me too."
Emma stayed close and cupped Jade's cheek. She had planned to ask Jade more about what was worrying her, but at that moment she was distracted by the beautiful green pools that stared back at her. Jade's skin glistened from the steam of the shower, making her look like she'd just come back from a run.
"You're beautiful," Emma whispered, leaning her head against Jade's. Their noses brushed, and Jade reached for her hand. Electricity sparked between them, and they sat quietly, their lips parted, their breaths intermingling.
"Kiss me." Jade's whispered words had been straightforward and to the point, but Emma didn't understand the desperation behind them. Didn't Jade know that Emma was stupidly attracted to her? That she has developing feelings for her.
All the extra touches that she gave the older woman should have communicated that. Emma mentally shrugged. If Jade had any doubts, then it was her job to eliminate them. And what better way than with a passionate kiss.
Emma gently pressed her lips to Jade's. The shorter woman seemed to melt into her as their bodies molded together in a gentle embrace. Liquid need swirled through Emma, and she wrapped an arm around Jade, pulling her in for a fierce embrace.
Pretty soon, their kiss deepened, and a sense of quiet desperation settled into their movement. Jade's hand found its way to Emma's side before dipping to her hip, stoking the fire between Emma's legs as she repeated the motion.
Emma wove a hand into the base of Jade's neck and let her fingers play with her soft curls. Her other hand kept a firm grip on the older woman, pulling them closer so that their chests grazed. Emma pulled away and gasp
ed for breath when she felt Jade's nipples poke at her through her shift.
Jade quickly covered her mouth again, her tongue flicking at Emma's bottom lip begging for entrance. Emma promptly granted her entrance and let her tongue meet Jade's for a sensual dance. Their hands never kept still, and their touches grew firmer and more insistent.
Who knew a bathroom cry session could turn into the greatest makeout of my life? Emma thought.
She continued to explore Jade's body with a building hunger, but then the truth behind her last thought settled in. Emma sharply pulled away and panted as she stared at Jade. Here she was letting her feelings take over what had been a moment of vulnerability for Jade.
Emma shook her head. What was wrong with her? She was supposed to help Jade puzzle through whatever was eating her up inside. And there she'd gone and let her hormones take over. Emma clamped her thighs together, trying to stop the pulse at her center and raised her eyes to Jade. Before she could get a word out, Jade scrambled to her feet.
"I shouldn't have done that. You just wanted to help, and I took advantage of you. I'm sorry."
"What?"
Emma quickly followed, but by the time she exited the bathroom, she came face to face with Mara, who wore a knowing expression. Emma felt herself blush and she stared at the floor.
"I, uh, just needed the bathroom."
"Well, it's free now, but I thought you might want to see something first." Emma nodded and took a step forward, but Mara didn't move out of her way.
"Aren't you going to turn the shower off?"
Emma's eyes widened. "What?" She turned to see the steam pouring out of the bathroom. "Uh, yeah, sure."
"Stupid, stupid, stupid," she mumbled under her breath as she turned the shower off. Not only had she let Jade get away without adequately expressing that she pulled away because she was worried about taking advantage of the green-eyed woman. Not the opposite. But she'd acted like a teenager caught making out with her girlfriend by her mother around Mara.
Wounded Bear (Whiteheart Clan Book 2) Page 6