Emily

by Storm Jk

  As she brought the coffee to Roy he took a moment to look at her. ‘I work for an international organisation, we are looking for people like you.’

  ‘People like me?’ Emily replied. ‘What do you mean?’

  ‘I had heard of your ability with animals and sent the bitch to you as a test.’ Roy’s smile almost looked genuine.

  Confused Emily took a step back. ‘So Rumour doesn’t belong to you?’

  ‘Yes she does, she’s from my breeding farm. I sell her puppies to people all over the world. But with her becoming unstable I almost had her destroyed, until I heard of your talent from one of my men; it seemed like a good test.’

  ‘A test!’ Emily was horrified and seeing the look on her face, Roy realised that Emily would not join their team willingly. Looking around the room he noticed the painting above the fireplace.

  ‘What a beautiful painting,’ he said, excitement showing on his face. ‘Who are the men with you? Are their images captured as accurately as your own?’ Emily pointed to a small silver framed photo on the bookcase of Vladimir, Eric and herself.

  ‘See for yourself. They are the men that I live with. This one is Vladimir and Eric is the artist who painted the picture.’

  ‘You know,’ Roy added after looking closely at the picture, ‘Vladimir looks like a man I know in Europe, he could almost be his twin.’

  Suddenly Emily was compromised. While Vladimir had never asked her to guard his past she understood his desire for privacy.

  ‘He has no family alive,’ she told Roy and then changing the subject, ‘I would like to resolve Rumour’s future. She doesn’t want to go back with you, she’ll just become aggressive and dangerous if she does.’

  ‘Then perhaps we should put her down,’ Roy responded with a menacing look, his manner had turned cold. Emily paused trying to think of what would sway this man.

  ‘She would thrive in this environment. She’s already displayed affection and her body condition has begun to improve.’

  Suddenly Roy dropped the mask of civility and his face contorted with cruelty.

  ‘You know, I didn’t expect that you would be so beautiful. If you want to keep the dog I will allow that my dear, but you will have to pay the price I want for her.’

  Emily’s heart was pounding. No, she thought, this is not happening. She began to back away when suddenly Roy pounced on her. He grabbed her arms and pulled her body against his. His anger was now tinged with lust and his fingers bit into her arms.

  Emily cried out in pain. ‘I’ll give you whatever money you want for her,’ she offered, she could tell that he was enjoying hurting her.

  ‘I have no need of money,’ he sneered as he pushed his face close to hers, then he picked her up and slammed her onto the table. Emily hit her head hard on a large solid vase and her head became foggy. It became hard to concentrate and she couldn’t focus enough to teleport herself away.

  Roy pinned her down with one arm and pulled a knife from his coat. He cut her T-shirt away to reveal her breasts. He ran the blade lightly down from her chest to the waist of her jeans and started to cut her pants off. Emily had stopped struggling, still stunned from banging her head and in shock at the unexpected attack. Suddenly Roy was pulled away from her. Applejacks had come into the house and grabbed Roy’s jacket with his teeth, yanking him off Emily.

  Surprised at being manhandled by a horse, Roy regained his balance and moved behind the couch where Applejacks couldn’t get to him. But now the cats were in place and both the female cats jumped, biting and scratching at his face, while the tomcats wound themselves around his feet, causing Roy to lose his balance. Suddenly a snarling Rumour was there and Roy knew he was outmatched and needed to get out of there. Picking up a chair he threw it at Rumour hitting her squarely on the head, dazing her momentarily.

  Escaping to his Hummer and as he jumped in he screamed, ‘Bitch, I’ll be back,’ and he roared off down the driveway, tyres screeching. The silence that followed was surreal.

  Applejacks pushed his head under Emily’s arm and helped her to a chair.

  ‘You need to get help,’ Applejacks thought to Emily.

  ‘I know,’ Emily replied and asked Rumour to get Vladimir’s mobile phone from the bench in the kitchen. She also got Rumour to pull a shirt out of the clothes hamper for her. Within fifteen minutes of dialling David’s number he had arrived. Seeing the bruises on her arms and face, David was shocked.

  ‘My God Emily! What happen to you? Where are Vladimir and Eric?’

  Emily was feeling very sleepy and she murmured, ‘They’re away, I just fell.’

  ‘Emily, I’m no fool. I can see that you’ve been attacked by someone, your arms have handprint bruises on them.’ But David was gentle with her, he could see she was in shock.

  Emily spoke softly, ‘What do you think Vladimir and Eric would do if they found out?’ He was silent as he finished checking Emily’s head. It upset him deeply that someone had been so violent with her. In all the years he had known Emily her gentleness had been like an armour and he wanted to protect her from the world. And now, seeing Emily’s eyes, he hated the hurt and confusion that he saw there.

  ‘He said his name was Roy Cartier, he was after Rumour,’ Emily’s voice trembled.

  David’s concern for Emily intensified. ‘Roy Cartier! My God Emily, he’s real bad trouble. He has more money than just about anyone in this country and there are stories that he runs guns and mercenaries in Eastern Europe. Give him the dog back Em, because if he wants to he will destroy you.’

  ‘I can’t,’ Emily cried. ‘Rumour doesn’t deserve to go back to such a monster.’

  Kneeling in front of Emily, David took both her hands in his and said, ‘When I was finishing my veterinarian degree a friend of mine, Debbie, got a job working for Roy. At first she loved it, then one day I got a message on my phone from Deb. She was crying and said she needed to see me. That was the last time I heard from her and she was never seen again by anyone. I went to the police but they told me to drop it; this man has powerful friends.’

  Emily started to shake, the night’s events had affected her to the core. She was so tired and scared and just wanted to be with Vladimir and Eric. The tears were a release from the horror of the attack and David helped Emily to bed, propping her head up against a pillow. He was worried that she might have a concussion so he sat next to her for the rest of the night. Rumour lay on the floor and all five cats cocooned themselves around Emily to provide what comfort they could, while Applejacks waited outside the door in case Roy came back.

  In the morning, Emily sent David to feed the animals but before he went home, she had to promise him that Vladimir and Eric were returning that day. After David had gone, Emily slowly walked to the barn. In the room both men had morphed back and were waiting for her to open the door.

  The moment the door opened Vladimir ran to Emily ‘My God Emily, did we do that to you?’

  ‘No my love, I didn’t open the door,’ Emily’s voice was shaking, her body was still so sore and her head was pounding. Eric came over to Emily and both men inspected her injuries.

  Vladimir was gentle with his touch and he asked her softly ‘Who did this to you?’

  For a second Emily was almost lulled into telling him before she remembered her conversation with David. Both men would want revenge and while Emily was sure that they could handle themselves against Roy Cartier, he was ruthless and she didn’t want any blood to run because of her.

  Emily pulled away from the men and for the first time in their relationship she lied to them both. ‘I don’t know who did this to me, I didn’t see him.’

  Eric asked softly, ‘Emily were you raped?’

  ‘No. Applejacks and the cats saved me and then Rumour forced the man outside. I don’t think he’ll be back,’ Emily replied, wishing that the last bit was true.

  ‘Maybe Applejacks could identify who it was,’ Vladimir suggested.

  Emily could see he was not going to let the ma
tter rest. ‘I already asked him and he doesn’t know.’

  ‘Sometimes it just takes time to remember the details, did you call the police?’ Vladimir’s was almost undeniable in his intensity and while he was soft with her, he expected straight answers, answer she was not willing to give.

  Eric interjected, ‘Vlad, she’s in shock, let’s get her home.’ Turning to Emily, he asked ‘Have you eaten Em? You look so pale.’

  ‘I’m not hungry Eric, I’m sick from the bump on my head,’ she replied, relieved at the change of subject.

  The men quickly dressed and Vladimir picked Emily up and carried her back to the farmhouse. They showered separately, one of them staying with Emily at all times. Eric cooked up their usual meal of rare steak while heating up a previously made vegetable soup for Emily. She took a few sips and began to feel better, and by the time she had finished the cup, her stomach was settled and her head hurt less.

  ‘Do you think if you touched Applejacks your head would be healed?’ Vladimir suggested.

  ‘I’ve tried but that doesn’t seem to help. Vladimir, can you help me shower?’

  Vladimir put a stool in the shower and Emily sat with the warm water running soothingly over her while Vladimir gently soaped her skin. He then dried Emily and helped her put on her favourite pyjamas, they were butter-yellow with small pink flowers. Her headache had been reduced to a dull ache and the events of the night before had begun to fade. The afternoon was quite cold and Vladimir sat Emily down in front of the fire. He decided not to press her for answers, that could wait until tomorrow, Vladimir understood she needed silence. Drifting off to sleep, Emily felt loved.

  *

  Waking abruptly, Emily realised that David was in the room checking her pulse. Both Vladimir and Eric had become stern as soon as David had walked into the house and for no reason that David could fathom, a bead of sweat trickled down his back. As he looked into Emily’s eyes he could see her pleading with him not to say anything.

  ‘Your head looks good Emily. I’ve written a prescription for a stronger pain relief if you think you need it.’ He handed it to Emily.

  Vladimir interrupted sternly, ‘How can you write a prescription David? You are a vet.’

  Emily shot Vladimir a look begging him to be polite to David, which Vladimir ignored, so she said, ‘David is a qualified doctor as well as a vet.’

  Looking back at David, Vladimir responded, ‘So, how does such a thing come about?’ His challenge to David was unexpected but David understood why. Emily had been hurt and he knew that Vladimir wanted answers – which he would not give.

  ‘My father insisted that I go to medical school, so I became a doctor and actually ended up in genetics. But when he died I decided to become a vet. It was always my goal.’

  Emily added, with pride in her voice, ‘And he did it in two years, quicker than anyone else,’ she smiled at David then added, ‘Thank you David, I’m so much better now, my head hardly hurts anymore.’

  ‘I’ll come back tomorrow to see how you are, if you don’t feel better by then I’ll give you a pill that’s for pigs.’ David replied teasingly, returning her smile; she was such a dear friend to him. Emily laughed and the men relaxed at the sound.

  ‘Whatever you think David, you are the healer and I do feel better.’ He smiled at her and turned to pack up his bag.

  Vladimir was on to him instantly, ‘What are her injuries?’ he asked in a tone that was reasonable and calm but that demanded total compliance.

  David again had to steady himself; he was unsure why they intimidated him.

  ‘As far as I can see she has a concussion and bruising but no broken bones. I think within a week she’ll be back to her old self.’

  ‘Do you know who did this?’ Vladimir asked in a tone that hinted at violence.

  David knew Vladimir would pick up on a lie so he said, ‘I wasn’t there when Emily was attacked.’ The answer didn’t satisfy Vladimir. He sensed that David knew something more and he shot a look at Eric, indicating for him to go outside. Eric picked up on his meaning and left the room.

  Extending his hand to David, Vladimir looked him in the eye and said, ‘Thank you, David, for helping her.’ David could see in Vladimir’s face how much he loved Emily and he could also see that this matter was not over. Looking back at Emily he waved goodbye then stepped outside. Eric was waiting for him by his truck and as he placed his bag in the back, Eric spoke softly.

  ‘David, I think there is more for you to tell us.’

  David was surprised at how cold Eric was, out of the pair he was the friendlier one.

  ‘Maybe,’ David replied, ‘but it’s for Emily to tell you, not me. I’m her friend and she’s like my little sister, I won’t betray her.’

  Eric paused and then said, ‘Yes, you are her friend and she does think of you like a brother. I just hope you made a wise choice because Vlad and I will not allow anyone to ever hurt her again or to get in the way of keeping her safe.’

  David got in the truck and as he turned the key he found his hands were shaking.

  Chapter 9

  After putting Emily to bed that night, Vladimir asked Eric to stay with her. He reached for the phone and dialled the number of Vince Haldane. Vince had been a Special Forces Operative before coming to work for Vladimir’s firm. Vladimir recounted to him what had happened to Emily, and Vince gave Vladimir instructions not to touch anything or wipe anything down. He would have a team of men there in the morning to search for clues. Vladimir would have to think of a way to get Emily out of the house as he knew she would object to Vince coming over. He didn’t blame her for not telling them who had attacked her. She knew what the punishment would be.

  The next morning Emily woke up early and set about doing her morning chores. Her head felt better but her body was still sore when she moved about, but it was nothing she couldn’t handle. Applejacks was glad to see her and they touched heads for a long moment. After breakfast Vladimir suggested to Emily that Eric take her for a drive.

  ‘Will you come with us?’ Emily asked, slightly suspicious.

  ‘Sweet girl, I have been off work for almost two weeks. I need to take a conference call with my associates to see if I still have a business.’

  Emily saw tiredness reflected in his face. ‘Did you sleep last night?’

  Vladimir replied, ‘Only half the night. I stood guard till 2am then Eric took over till morning.’

  ‘Vladimir, Eric, there is no need for all of this. I just want to forget it happened, please. We have other things we need to focus on.’ Emily was upset that her men were so affected.

  ‘Come Em,’ Eric said, ‘let’s go for a drive, we can talk about this later. It’s a nice day and it will do you good to get out of the house.’

  Vladimir gently helped her into her coat, kissing her goodbye and as he gave Eric a hug he whispered into his ear, ‘Keep away until I call you.’

  Within fifteen minutes of their departure, Vince Haldane and his team arrived and started searching the house for clues. As Vince looked around the room he asked Vladimir if there was anything missing.

  Vladimir paused. He had a photographic memory so he closed his eyes and remembered the last time he sat in the room. Vladimir realised the small silver framed picture of the three of them was missing. They looked everywhere for the picture and Vladimir muttered, more to himself, ‘Why would someone want our picture?’

  Vince overhearing him replied, ‘Maybe as a trophy. Any idea why Emily won’t tell you who did this?’

  ‘I think she is trying to protect us, I think she knows who has done this,’ Vladimir offered.

  Vince thought for a moment, he had known Vladimir and Eric a long time and knew they were lovers. The first time he had met Vladimir was at a gym in the city. Vladimir had been the only man able to take him down in hand-to-hand combat; it wasn’t even a close competition. He had also fought Eric but Eric had bested him as well. Vince knew he had met his masters and was totally committed to serving Vla
dimir and Eric. He had been surprised when Emily suddenly came on the scene but over the years he had mixed with them at various functions that Vladimir held and had found Emily to be kind and thoughtful.

  Vince realised the man who had attacked Emily was as good as dead, he knew there was a killer in Vladimir and that it would only be a matter of time till they found out who had done it.

  ‘I found plenty of prints,’ one of Vince’s men interjected.

  ‘Who’s been in this room?’ Vince asked.

  ‘Only Eric, Emily, myself and our neighbour, David Swann. I’ll give you his address so as someone can stop by and get his prints; he lives on the next farm.’

  ‘We’ll run the prints straight away and I’ll let you know what turns up.’ Vince began to pack up the equipment he had brought.

  Vladimir looked over to where the picture should have been. A chill had settled over him and he knew the danger that Eric and himself had tried to outrun was back. It was time to tell Emily everything. He asked Vince to leave four men to guard the property.

  ‘Vladimir, what sort of threat are we looking at?’ Vince asked. It took a moment for Vladimir to reply and he turned and looked Vince in the eye.

  ‘Just make sure your men are ready to shoot to kill. I think an old wound has reopened and this time I don’t think we can hide from it.’

  Chapter 10

  Eric drove Emily to one of the men’s favourite places. It was a small clearing that was on the edge of a precipice that was over two hundred metres high. An old tree grew right out from the side and the men would climb among the branches that hung out over the precipice. This terrified Emily, who would watch silently, only catching her breath when they climbed off, exhilarated by the danger. Today Eric spread a blanket on the ground and grabbed a couple of cushions from the car. Sitting down with Emily he pulled another blanket over her, carefully tucking it into her sides to keep her warm. His tenderness brought tears to Emily’s eyes and she realised for the first time that her love for Eric, while different from Vladimir’s, was just as deep.