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“I’m sorry I’ve complicated things.”
“Don’t be.” He chewed his lip and stared at the TV. “Knowing the truth is always the better option, even when you’ve been avoiding it for years.” He glanced at Emily, his eyes sad. “I think I’ve always had my suspicions about the Café and Geoffrey, but didn’t want to face it.” He sighed and shook his head. “I took advantage of my intentional ignorance and enjoyed the fruits of the Café without wanting to delve deeper. I should have known better.” He grew quiet again. “Did Amber really leave the Café?”
Emily bit her lip and stared at her hands, blinking back tears. She shook her head.
David ran his hand over his face again, his eyes growing red. “What happened?”
She swallowed over the lump that had grown in her throat. “Geoffrey said she tripped and fell in front of a train.”
David closed his eyes and clenched his jaw. Emily winced as pain crossed his face. When he finally opened his eyes, they were red and filled with tears. “She was a good girl.” The muscles in his jaw tightened and released several times. “Do you think she really tripped?”
Emily shook her head and David blew out a breath. A tear slipped down her cheek and David pulled her close, hugging her hard. He shook his head. “I should have done something,” he said in a low voice. “I intentionally stayed blind for far too long. I won’t continue to do so. We’ll call the police when we get back and get Amber some justice.” He kissed Emily’s temple. “I won’t let anything happen to you, Emily.” He leaned back and cupped her chin. “You’re never going back to that place, do you understand?”
“But—”
“I mean it.” His eyes were firm. “I will find you a place to stay—hide if needed—until that place is shut down and Geoffrey is taken care of.”
“What about the other girls?” She searched his eyes as they turned troubled.
“I’ll make sure they’re taken care of too.”
She gave a small laugh. “Mark said he didn’t want me going back there either.”
David smiled. “I told you he was a good man.”
Someone knocked on the door and Emily stood. “I’ll get it.”
David jumped to his feet. “No, let me.”
“David, I’m your assistant. I should—”
He frowned at her and she snapped her mouth shut. David crossed the room and opened the door without removing the chain, peeking out the small gap between the door and frame. “Hello, Mark.”
Emily’s heart fluttered as she heard Mark’s voice at the door.
* * *
Mark waitedas David unchained the hotel room door, thankful he was keeping Emily safe.
He walked into the room, his heart jittery in his chest. The TV was on and two bottles of water sat on the table in front of the couch. Emily stood next to the couch, eyes red and hands clenching and relaxing as she stared at him. She’d changed from the black dress she’d been wearing at the concert and her hair was pulled back into a ponytail.
“Hello.”
She gave a nervous smile. “Hi.”
Mark glanced at David, who watched the two of them with curiosity in his eyes. He scolded himself for his jealousy.
“Your playing was amazing tonight, Mark,” David said with a wide smile. “You captivated us as usual.”
“Thank you. I was inspired.” Mark watched Emily play with the hem of her pink t-shirt. She offered another nervous smile, her gaze sliding between him and David. Mark felt as awkward as she looked.
“Well, let’s get things out in the open, shall we?” David said, walking further into the room and motioning for Mark to sit on the couch as he took a seat in the armchair next to it.
Mark sat and watched as Emily sat gingerly on the opposite end, watching David with wide eyes.
“Mark, I’m sure you’ve guessed Emily’s boss sent her out here with me.” He gave Emily a warm smile. “It was a bit of a misunderstanding, but I’m glad he did.” He looked at Mark. “Yes, she was sent to be my... companion, but also acting as my assistant because Becky—you remember Becky, right?”
Mark nodded, hoping his face didn’t betray his jealousy.
