"Calm down Emma, it's going to be fine. Come soon and we will chat." He spoke. I could sense his tone was haste and nervous.
The elevator took forever, so I rushed down the stairs. My heart was pacing, and my palms were sweating.
What the hell was this about? I thought to myself, as always, imagining the worse.
Chapter 30
You saved me
Emma
I swiftly got into the car with Jake, and looking that he was okay, my immediate instinct made me embrace him.
"Are you ok, Jake? What's going on?"
"Yes, thanks to you, Emma, I am fine." He hugged me back. His arms wrapped tightly around me.
Thanks to me?
He adjusted back to his driving seat and drove the car out from the parking spot, "we are first heading to your apartment, and if you want, we can take a quick detour to the Aunt Amy's coffee house. We can sit and have a thorough chat there. I will explain everything to you before making any decision."
"What decision?" My brows knitted in confusion.
What the hell was happening?
"You will know". He was continually watching a car behind us and the entire fifteen minutes’ drive was in pin-drop silence. Jake was trying too hard to focus on something and was I trying too hard to calm my popping nerves.
After what seemed like the longest fifteen minutes of my life, Jake parked the car outside the cafe. As we stepped out, I saw a parade of black SUVs behind us. I soon saw Augustin and Brett and half a dozen other guard type men step out of them.
"What is all this, Jake?"
He didn't answer, and instead held my hand, intertwined our fingers, and strode us both inside.
We both sat down on a comfortable couch. Aunt Amy greeted us with a warm smile but sensing the tension in the air; she gave us some privacy. Jake calmed himself a bit. I could see anxiety dancing in his otherwise serene blue eyes.
"Jake, for god' sake, tell me what's happening?"
He took a deep breath, and finally answered, "last night, a major accident happened Emma. My apartment's security was compromised. It was set ablaze early morning today."
"What? Set ablaze? Oh My God, Jake! Did you inform the cops?"
"Of course, I did, I only got to know about this after I dropped you at the office this morning. My phone's battery died last night, and Augustin took control of the situation. Brett had informed him I was safe with you at your apartment."
I was shocked beyond measure. I didn't know what to say. After an awfully long pause, I finally broke the silence.
"What would have happened if I hadn't stopped you from leaving last night?" I was imagining the gravest possibilities and thanked heavens above for making me do what I did.
"I don't know Emma. You saved me from a dire situation. We are certain of foul play as the CCTV across the street caught a suspicious masked man enter the vicinity."
"Who could be behind this?" I suddenly held both his hands firmly. I was a bit shaky after the revelation, my mouth lost its moisture, and I felt a sharp pain in my temples.
"Maybe it was a quest for the evidence against Windsons. I think they were attempting to destroy it."
It made some sense, or maybe they were attempting to destroy him? The mere thought gave me chills.
"Did they? Did they destroy it?"
"No, they are still safe with me."
"This is getting very, very dangerous, Jake. I am worried about you. You should get this investigated, properly. I can never even imagine you getting hurt, please, for my sake." I was fighting my tears. I wanted to be his strength, but the traitors they were, they did manage to escape and stream through my cheeks.
"Yes, I am Emma. The cops and forensic team are all over my place, as we speak. "He opened his mouth and then shut it, contemplating what to say next. Finally, he exhaled a hot gush of air.
"I am sorry to drag you in my mess Emma. I can't explain how guilty I feel about this whole situation. I have been selfish to stay close to you even after knowing how complicated my life was."
"Shh… please don't blame yourself, we talked about this, we are in this together, remember?"
He gave me a reluctant nod. I could see how badly he was taking this. From across the table, I went to sit by his side now. I was rubbing his arms to provide him comfort, assuring him he isn't alone in this.
"Augustin and my security team believe you can be a target too, they must have figured our proximity by now."
I was numb listening to him. What was he implying?
He shut his eyes and took a deep breath, "it may not be safe anymore for you to stay at your apartment alone, Emma. I think you should move in with me."
"What? Move-in? With you?"
"Yes, please. I know it's too soon, but I am just thinking about your safety. Please, Emma, think about it with a rational mind."
I didn't know what to say. I could not just drop everything and move in with him. It was a big step, and I wanted it to happen for all the right reasons, not because of some threat shadowing our lives.
"Emma... I am sorry but please..." Jake whispered, getting me out of my trance before he could complete, I answered.
"Move in where Jake? Didn't they just destroy your apartment...?"
"Yes, they did. I have a family home in the city too. That's where my parents lived."
"Your family homes? Are you serious?"
"Yes, since my mom shifted to LA, that home is currently empty and available to move in.
When
