“I feel the same about Ethan and KQLA.”
“Does that mean you’re dropping the lawsuit?”
This was the question she’d been wrestling with since Friday night. She desperately wanted to walk away and leave it all behind her. But that would mean Ethan and Heidi and that “Terrell,” or whoever he really was, would get away with what they’d done. “No. I can’t. I owe it to myself to hold them accountable.”
“That’s true,” her mother agreed. “And I owe it to myself to make your father treat me fairly. I’m going to reject his offer. We’ll hang tough together.”
Emery smiled at the sudden strength that had entered Connie’s voice. Marvin had wanted Emery’s help, and she’d done the opposite. But at least she felt good about it.
After she hung up, she went online and purchased a plane ticket that would put her in Boston at 9:30 p.m. It cost way more than she wanted to spend, but she tried not to worry about that. She’d get on her feet again.
She hated leaving Susan in the lurch at the cookie store, but she found solace in the fact that Susan wouldn’t be any worse off than she’d found her. She’d actually given Susan some support when she’d needed it most, so she hoped that had helped enough. Because she couldn’t stay any longer. She had to be there for her mother despite the expense. She couldn’t believe she hadn’t realized it sooner.
Planning to tell Susan when she went in that today would be her last day, she took a quick shower and went downstairs to make bacon and egg sandwiches for Aiyana’s sons—the ones who were staying in Aiyana’s house, anyway. She figured the least she could do was cook a final meal before taking off. Aiyana had done so much for her.
Dallas was the first one to enter the kitchen. He grinned the second he saw her, but then his gaze lowered to her neck and his expression hardened. She could tell he’d spotted the terrible bruises he hadn’t been able to see at the wedding, because of that scarf, or last night, thanks to the darkness.
Grabbing her hand to get her to hold still, he ran a finger gently along the outline of them. “The man who did this had better hope I never find him. Ethan had better watch out for me, too.”
She slipped away to put some bread in the toaster. “Enough terrible things have happened. The last thing I need is to worry about you.”
“You won’t have to worry about me. By the time I’m done with Ethan, you won’t have to worry about him or his friends, either.”
She lifted her chin defiantly. “I’m glad I didn’t give you his number. With my luck, you’d wind up in jail.”
Dallas didn’t seem concerned. “I know where he lives. That should be enough.”
“Don’t go to his house. I’m not dropping the suit. When he realizes that he’s not off the hook, there’s no telling what he might do. If he could hire someone to hurt me, he could certainly do the same to you.”
“I’m not scared of him.”
She couldn’t bear the thought of dragging Dallas any further into her mess, especially now that they were going their separate ways. “Please?”
“Sorry. I won’t leave you at risk,” he said simply and, using his body, pressed her up against the cabinets as he kissed her.
Emery’s hands went up almost of their own volition and grabbed fistfuls of his shirt.
The sound of someone clearing his throat caused Dallas to step away.
“Good morning,” Seth said cheerfully, and headed over to the coffeemaker to pour himself a cup. “You two didn’t get enough of that last night?”
Emery’s face went instantly hot, but Dallas tried to play it off. “Enough of what?”
Seth sent him a sardonic glance. “You forget—my room is right next to yours.”
“God, don’t you ever sleep?” Dallas grumbled with a scowl.
“Unfortunately, not very often. And thanks to the two of you, last night was worse than usual.”
“I’m so sorry,” Emery mumbled, but Dallas merely laughed.
“He’s teasing,” he said. “My brother has the driest sense of humor you’ll ever find.”
“I don’t hold it against you.” Seth lifted his cup in her direction. “Obviously, he’s irresistible. It’s him I blame.”
“So? Take a nap this afternoon,” Dallas said, and caught Emery’s chin so he could kiss her right in front of him.
Seth watched dispassionately. Then he said—and even Emery could tell he was serious—“I hope you’re not going to be a fool where she’s concerned.”
His words caused Dallas’s demeanor to darken. But Emery had no idea how to interpret Seth’s comment, because she didn’t know what constituted a fool in his eyes.
“Stay out of it,” Dallas warned, serious now, too.
Once Emery left for work, Dallas walked outside to call Ethan. Emery was gone, but he didn’t want any of his brothers to overhear his conversation. Although he was tempted to drive to LA and teach Ethan the kind of immediate and painful lesson the douchebag deserved, he knew that might only get him arrested.
He couldn’t be that stupid. Instead, he’d decided on what he hoped would be a better plan. He could always resort to a physical confrontation if this other idea didn’t work.
After blocking his number, he called Ethan.
“I saw you on TV,” he said as soon as Ethan answered, covering the speaker on his phone to disguise his voice.
“Who is this?” Ethan asked.
“You can’t guess?” Dallas replied.
“I have no clue. How would I know?”
“I’m the one who threatened Emery Bliss for you. And now the cops are looking for my ass.”
A heartbeat of silence preceded a befuddled “What are you talking about?”
Dallas tried to get even deeper into character. “Don’t play stupid with me, asshole. After what I did, she’s bound to drop the lawsuit. You should’ve seen her face when I had my hands around her neck. I did what you told me to. Now I need your help. I can’t stick around here. I need
