In response, I gave a little nod. Most people would be terrified by Mathew, but I knew him to be much gentler than that. He was a nice guy who would never harm a woman, much less someone as young and innocent as Emily.
, “Did you get her to write the messages?” he probed.
“Yeah. The notebook, however, is still in the bedroom where I left it. You should probably hold off for a time before going to get it. It’s true that she does need some personal space. ”
“Okay, but don’t make me wait too long. Before everyone starts to worry, we need to get those emails out. To make sure she was okay, her roommate had already contacted her. I tried and tried, but I couldn’t get in to answer it. First, we have to find out her secret code. Is she able to access her email account with the credentials you gave her? ”
As I remembered the details, a little curve formed in my lips. Her name and passphrase were both lovely, just as she was. I told him the passwords.
Mathew’s lips twitched at the edges. “Cute, ” he said.
Emily’s bedroom in her Stanford apartment had been painted in pastel pastels, a style that fell between sophisticated adulthood and the innocent playfulness of childhood. I should have guessed she had a feminine side, but the fact that her password included a mythical beast made her much more appealing. I admired her innocence since it was a quality I lacked. That’s why I wanted to take her as my own.
I decided it was time to go. Anyway, I have a dinner reservation with my dad at the restaurant. I will tell him about the danger that Emily is in. The mere idea of her being in danger dampened my sense of humor. Perhaps he will see that it is time to take action against these thugs.
My family and I have been waging a cold war against my father’s enemies up until this point. Attempts were made and counter-attempts were made, with threats and insults made in oblique terms. Nonetheless, there was little indication that open violence would occur.
Mathew said, “I don’t believe you should do it. It’s okay to let him know she’s here, but don’t mention the threat. Eventually, things are going to become violent, which might put her in further risk. They were keeping an eye on her at Havard, but if we strike now, they’ll know it’s because of her. The move will make her an easy target. ”
“They’ll know she’s our weak place.”
That’s when I felt my stomach churn. “Yes, you got it right. No one has to know, but I’ll let Dad know that Emily is skipping class to spend the week with me. ”
My dad wouldn’t be suspicious if he found out my girlfriend and I were staying at Mathew’s. After all the years I’d lived in this area, it no longer seemed strange to me.
“I’ll see you later tonight. While I am away, please see to her needs. ”
“The lovely godess will not be alone in her castle for long. ”
I scowled at him and rolled my eyes. I was sick of hearing jokes about fairy tales.
When he saw that I wasn’t laughing, he quickly changed the subject: “I’ll prepare supper for her. I also assure you that this is the last time you’ll hear me say anything like, And I swear I won’t frighten her”
“Appreciate it.” When it came to kindness, Matthew was nicer to me than a brother. In my absence, I was certain that he would keep Emily safe and happy.
As I entered the private dining room at Nichellin, my family’s Lasvagas restaurant, I felt a knot of nervousness form in my stomach. Castin’s dark brown eyes were riveted on me, and his lips curled into a chilly grin that pinched at the thick scar on his top lip, but I had come to see my father.
The tension in the room was palpable. Lucas Lee, Matthew’s father, took his customary seat to the right of Dad. At the other end of the table was Gabriel, the young capo who dared to question my father.
Gabriel had his sights set on taking over the company.
“Nicola.” The typical warmth in my father’s voice wasn’t there. “Join us and have a seat. Put your hands together, and we’ll bring you a platter. ”
Sitting at my father’s left, I made no attempt to conceal my disinterest. I don’t really like my current aggressive lifestyle, but the danger to my father has always bothered me. I loved him in spite of it all, and I would give my life rather than see Castin harm him.
Gabriel greeted my dad by saying, “It’s always lovely to meet you. ”
“When you suddenly vanished, Nicola, it came as quite a shock. Everyone was concerned about you. ”
While I was hiding away in Havard, my father nearly had men murder Gabriel. By the time Mathew hauled me back to Lasvagas, he had already decided to go to war because he believed his competitor had killed me.
Dad answered coolly, “Yes, I’m really delighted to have Nicola back where he belongs.”
Shit. I knew what I had to say wouldn’t sit well with him, but I was glad Gabriel was there to listen to it. I wanted him to know that I had Emily hidden away at Mathew’s estate, far from the reach of his people, in case they had planned to harm her in order to get to me.