“I failed you,” I admit, defeat heavy in my chest. “I put you in this position. Me, my club, the shit between us and your uncle… You and Charlie shouldn’t be in the middle of this. This is my fault.”
“It’s not just on you, Hayes.”
“It is.” I tuck her hair behind her ear. “But it’s worse than that because even knowing that, I can’t let you go, Emery. You and Charlie are everything to me. Your uncle can send the Feds to my doorstep. He can call you in for questioning. He can lock me in a fucking cell, and I will still fight to give you and Charlie the life you deserve. A life where you’re happy and safe.”
“We’re never safe from him.” She blinks back her tears. “I haven’t been telling you everything.”
“Tell me now.” I hold her closer when she shudders a breath.
“When I was taken, my uncle told me things.”
“He threatened you?”
She nods. “Please don’t be angry.”
“I could never be angry with you.”
“You haven’t heard what he said.”
“Emery.” My voice is firmer now. “I will never be angry with you. I promise. Now tell me what he threatened?”
“He said that he needs me to help him with you and your club.” She bites her lower lip, watching my every reaction. “He said that I owe him for sneaking out, and I need to repay him. That’s why he sent me back here. He wants me to help him destroy the club.”
“Do you want to help him destroy my club?”
Her face blanches. “Of course not.”
“There you go.” I smirk, but she shakes her head.
“That’s not all.” Her fingers grip my T-shirt tighter. “He didn’t just threaten me. He said if I don’t help him, then he’ll use Charlie to make me help.”
Rage is a fire coursing through my veins. This time, when Emery pulls back, I let her. I’m in shock. My arms hang at my sides while she rakes her fingers into her hair.
I probably shouldn’t be surprised. Men like Zane aren’t above threatening their own family. But to hear it in such plain terms. To know he said that to Emery has my blood boiling.
“My uncle said that if I don’t help him, I’ll never see Charlie again. That he’ll keep her until she’s old enough to be useful. He’ll—”
She doesn’t finish that sentence, but I know how it ends. The women we rescued last night are proof of the lengths Zane will go to if Emery doesn’t help him.
“Hayes…” Tears fill her eyes. “I was willing to do it. I was willing to come back here and help him if it meant keeping Charlie safe. Not because I wanted to do that to you. But I have to protect her.”
“Wehave to protect her.” I step forward, pulling Emery close. “I understand why you agreed to help him. I love that you’d go to any lengths to protect our daughter. But you’re not in this alone, Emery. Zane might think he has the upper hand, but I promise he doesn’t. I’m going to fix this. I’m going to protect you.”
“You’re not angry with me?”
I can’t help the small smile that forms in the corner of my mouth. “I already told you I can’t be angry with you.”
Emery’s eyes fill with hope. With peace. She pushes onto her toes and wraps her arms around me. Our bodies crush together as her lips press to mine, and I slide my hands under her thighs and lift her onto the counter.
“I’m sorry,” she whispers against my mouth.
“You don’t have anything to be sorry for,” I remind her.
It’s my fault anyway—not hers. She’s been a pawn in her uncle’s game, and I’m the one who should be protecting her. She’s my family. The mother of my child. My wife.
The love of my life.
I strip my T-shirt from her body and lie her back on the island. She’s a beautiful display of flesh. No bra. Her nipples peak, and I lean down to draw a gentle circle around one bud, then the next. Emery arches withevery pass of my thumb. Moans with every touch. And when I peel her underwear off, she spreads her knees, welcoming my fingers into her dripping cunt.
