Chapter 22
Four or Dead
Emma... Present...
After Asher and I made our way back to the cafeteria, the boys had already finished eating and Leo had saved some food for me. I ate quickly, well as fast as I could with the boys hovering around me. It was so strange and it would take time for me to feel comfortable with it but Iwas learning. To have four guys doting on me was probably every girl's dream, but to me, it didn't feel quite real. They were opening up to me, laying their hearts bare and I was still hiding things. (= I didn't want to hurt them or add to their worries but I was falling hard for this new life and I knew I needed to tell them everything before it was too late. So the moment we got home I asked them all to sit with me. "What's going on babe?" Logan asked and my face flushed at his words. z)
It was so strange to be called something like that without it being
attached to a disgusting remark.
"There is something I need to tell you all and I had hoped that having my father thrown in jail would fix this but now he's out and it has me worried. I was having nightmares about it last night." I paused and glanced at Jayden. "What is it?" He asked.
"I just want to say that I don't expect anything from you guys. If you decide not to help me regarding my father or don't want to deal with all my baggage I understand. Just say the word and I'll go." This had Logan shifting to object but I held my hand up to stop him. "I'm saying this
because you all didn't sign up for this trouble when you took me in.")
I looked at each of them to make sure they understood but they remained silent.
"Ok. During the summer my father told me he made a deal. A man he had done business with noticed me at a party and wanted to ask me out to dinner. I told him I was a minor and that he would need to speak with my father. I knew my father would object since he had other plans for me and dating would put a damper on things. The man went up to my father anyway. They spoke softly to each other for most of the evening and when they were done my father had a smile or his face.
"He told me that the man was willing to wait until I turned eighteen in a few short weeks before courting me. I knew better than to object, so I nodded in agreement. The day I turned eighteen my father had me dress up and the man came to our house. He told me that the man wanted me to marry him and he would wait until I graduated before carting me off to New York to live with him. That day though he wanted to share a special moment with me and my father had me take him to my room. That's where he...he thought us sleeping together and me being a virgin was a symbolic promise of the deal.
"Thad hoped that my father being locked up for what he did to me
would make the deal void, but then my father got out and I am afraid this guy is going to expect his deal to be fulfilled," I explained.
"What does your father get out of this deal?" Jayden asked. "Five million dollars," I replied.
The boys cursed and growled out their anger for a few moments before going quiet again.
"So you're worried that your father is going to come after you for this deal?" Leo asked trying to keep his voice level.
"Yes. But like I said I had hoped that he would rot in prison for a good long time and I would be forgotten by that pervert. Now I'm worried that my father will try even harder to get me back." I said with a sigh. "Im sure this whole thing has only made him more angry and determined."
Logan stood and kneeled in front of me grasping my hands in his. "We won't let that happen, Emma."
I offered him a weak smile and reached out to touch his face. "I know you believe that, but these men have a lot of power. There is a lot they can do with that kind of money and I don't want anyone getting hurt because of me." "So what? You want to surrender yourself?" Jayden asked with a snap. )
I looked at him and could feel the anger radiating from his body. "I will if I have to. Don't you get it? My life has never been my own but I can handle this. I have been living through it my whole life."
"Yeah, and you tried to kill yourself because of it." Jayden reminded me.)
"I did because I had no one Jayden. No one to fight for me! No one on my side to protect me! I was alone and I would rather be dead than live a life with that man or any man like him. But now I have all of you, so yes I would turn myself over if it meant saving you guys. You didn't ask for any of this, so I won't ask any more of you. The moment they threaten you I will leave." I said firmly.)
"Emma I know it seems like that would fix things and it would be over but we can't just let you go. We want you here, it would kill us to just let you walk out of here knowing what is waiting for you." Leo said moving closer to me. Logan still kneeled in front of me and was grasping my hands in his. 2)
"Look Emmy none of this makes sense and I'm sure it's not right the way we have come together like this, but we want you. All of us. We can't lose you." Logan said lowering his head and kissing my hands. °)
My heart melted at how soft he has become since things changed between us. It was like he had been trying so hard to hold back all this time and now that he didn't have to pretend his whole soul was pouring out just for me. A part of me wondered if I was falling so easily into
being with them because they were the first people to even show any sign of caring for me. So to feel and hear them letting all their emotions flood toward me, I wondered if it's too good to be true. God, I wanted it to be real but how could anyone fall so hard and fast after the history we had. But it reminded me that there is a fine line between love and hate and it was clear we had lost sight of that line and now there was
no going back.
I want them too. I need them but would it be fair to let them know that when any minute I could be pulled from their lives forever? I wanted to fight if that happened but I wasn't sure if I had that kind of strength left. I was tired emotionally and my body wanted to give up and finally rest, and that was a hard thing to fight. Then I realized that if I ever did have to leave I wouldn't want a life without them, so I needed to tell them just how I felt.
"I want you too," I said locking eyes with Logan.
For some reason, I felt such a strong pull to Logan that I couldn't explain. I lifted my hand and ran my fingers through his dark wavy hair. Then it turned to the others. I."
"T want to be with all of you. I don't know what it says about us after everything but I want to be here. I feel like I belong here." I admitted honestly. (2)
Leo's smile grew wide and he moved so quickly that I didn't have a chance to react before he was standing above me and turning my face up at him. He immediately leaned down and kissed me so hard that I
held my breath for a moment. Logan was still kneeling in front of me and my fingers were still tangled in his hair. As Leo's kiss deepens and I accidentally clench my hand tight in Logan's hair and making him groan. Leo doesn't let me go through and I feel Logan's hands gently moving along my legs and up toward my hips. (=
Their double attack made my body shutter. Leo pulled back and smiled down at me before leaning close to my ear.
"Let's go upstairs." He whimpered into my ear.
I swallowed hard but nodded. He glanced back at Asher and Jayden and had some kind of silent conversation that was concluded with a nod from Asher. Leo stepped back and Logan stood with my hands tight in his grip. He pulled me to my feet and started to lead me toward the stairs. Leo's kiss had made my head felt like I was floating in a cloud so I followed without protest. When we reach my room Logan leads me to
the bed and pushes my shoulders lightly until I am seated on the edge.)
Just a heads up: is the only place to read the complete version of this book for free. Don't miss out on the next chapter-visit us now and continue your journey! "We will stop the moment you say so," Leo said.
My eyes were fixed on him as he moved closer and leaned down to capture my lips again. My eyes fluttered closed as I got lost in him. I didn't even notice Logan moved until I felt his breath against the skin along my neck. I shivered from the sensation and a small whimper escaped my mouth but was muffled by Leo's persistent attach on my lips. Logan's hands were now resting on my hips and he moved them lower just a bit as his kisses moved lower on my neck. Something hits me though and I start to panic as memories flash through my mind. I stiffen as phantom hands move over my body and the memories of those men become more intense. 7)
"Emma? What's wrong?" Leo asked holding my face in his hands.
[let out a whimper and kept my eyes closed tight.
Logan hasn't removed his hand from me but has wrapped his arms tight around my waist.
"Emmy, it's us. It's just us baby." He whimpered softly into my neck. (") T opened my eyes and looked at Leo. "It's you... It's you..."
I repeat those words several times and Leo nodded. "It's just us."
My eyes fall shut as I let out a shaky breath.
"Come on, let's lay down and just rest. Okay?" Logan said letting me go and scooting further back on the bed.
I take in one more breath before following him. He immediately pulled me into his arms.
It's okay Emma we can move things as fast or as slow as you need." He said sweetly. ©
Tm so sorry," I replied feeling the urge to cry.
The bed dips as Leo moves to the lay on the other side of me. He kisses me on the back of my neck before moving closer and rests his hand on my hip.
"You have nothing to be sorry for.' He said. "Let's just rest." I nod the best I can with my face buried in Logan's chest.
The room fell silent and soon I drifted off into a peaceful sleep tucked in between two of my Angels. I)