Chapter 6 - THE WOMAN WHO WOULDN’T BE AFRAID
Emily returned to work the following Monday.
The building had been damaged by fire, so she worked temporarily from another office.
Adrian had wanted her to stay home.
She refused.
He had argued.
She had argued harder.
Finally, he had assigned two security men to watch her.
Emily hated them.
They were polite.
They were quiet.
They were impossible to lose.
At lunch, she found Adrian waiting outside the building.
She stared at him.
“What are you doing here?”
“Eating.”
“You don’t eat here.”
“I do today.”
“Why?”
“Because I wanted to.”
She looked at the black SUV behind him.
“You followed me.”
“I sent security.”
“That’s not what I asked.”
Adrian looked at her.
“Yes.”
Emily crossed her arms.
“You’re becoming a problem.”
“I’ve been a problem for years.”
She almost smiled.
Then Daniel appeared.
He stood across the street.
Emily's smile vanished.
Adrian saw him immediately.
Daniel wore a gray coat.
His hands were in his pockets.
He looked calm.
Too calm.
Adrian stepped in front of Emily.
Daniel smiled.
“Blackwell.”
Adrian did not answer.
Daniel looked around.
“Your city.”
“Yes.”
“Must be exhausting.”
“What do you want?”
Daniel looked at Emily.
“I want to talk to her.”
“No.”
Daniel laughed.
“You don’t own her.”
Adrian's gaze became dangerous.
“No.”
Emily stepped around him.
“I’ll talk to him.”
Adrian looked at her.
“Emily.”
“I said I’ll talk to him.”
Daniel smiled.
Adrian hated that smile.
They walked to a nearby café.
Adrian remained outside.
Emily sat across from Daniel.
She kept the table between them.
Daniel looked at her.
“You look different.”
“I am different.”
“No.”
He leaned closer.
“You’re still trying to convince yourself.”
Emily's hands remained steady.
“What do you want?”
“The files.”
“I don’t have them.”
“Liar.”
“You burned my office.”
“I didn’t.”
“You were there.”
“I was looking for something.”
“What?”
“The same thing you are.”
Emily stared at him.
Daniel smiled.
“See? We’re still connected.”
“No.”
“You don’t mean that.”
“I do.”
Daniel's expression darkened.
“You left me.”
“Yes.”
“You betrayed me.”
Emily laughed.
“Betrayed you?”
“You took things that belonged to me.”
“Evidence of crimes?”
“Private information.”
“You attacked me.”
His face changed.
For one second, the old Daniel returned.
Then he smiled again.
“I was angry.”
“You were dangerous.”
“I loved you.”
“No.”
Emily leaned closer.
“You wanted to own me.”
Daniel's eyes hardened.
“You always thought you were better than me.”
“No.”
“Then why did you leave?”
“Because I survived.”
The words silenced him.
Emily stood.
Daniel grabbed her wrist.
She froze.
A voice came from behind him.
“Let go.”
Adrian.
Daniel released her.
Adrian stood at the entrance.
His expression was deadly.
Daniel smiled.
“You really can’t stay away from her.”
Adrian walked toward them.
“She asked you to let go.”
Daniel stood.
“This isn’t your business.”
Adrian stopped.
“It became my business the first time you touched her.”
Daniel looked at Emily.
“You think he’s going to save you?”
Emily looked at Adrian.
Then back at Daniel.
“No.”
Daniel smiled.
Emily continued:
“I’m going to save myself.”
Daniel's smile disappeared.
She walked away.
Adrian followed.
Outside, Emily took a deep breath.
Adrian looked at her wrist.
“Are you okay?”
“Yes.”
“Did he hurt you?”
“No.”
“Are you sure?”
Emily looked at him.
“I said yes.”
Adrian nodded.
Then she noticed his hands.
His fists were clenched.
“You wanted to hit him.”
“Yes.”
“Why didn’t you?”
“Because you asked me not to kill him.”
Emily stared.
“I never said that.”
“You were thinking it.”
She laughed despite herself.
Adrian looked at her.
“What?”
“Nothing.”
For the first time, Emily felt something dangerous.
Not fear.
Not trust.
Something else.
Something warmer.
Something she did not want.
Adrian seemed to feel it too.
Then his phone rang.
He answered.
His face changed.
“Get her back to the house.”
Emily's smile disappeared.
“What happened?”
May you like
Adrian looked at her.
“Someone just broke into your apartment.”
