AllFreeNovel
Share Us
The boldness and the terror in her eyes made for an interesting combination as she watched me closely. “Let’s just think this through. Let’s be logical.” I had my hands up, I had to play my cards carefully. She was unpredictable right now.
She bolted around the far side of the kitchen island and headed for the sliding door to the backyard.
I cut her off, and she lunged at me. I instantly felt searing pain as she sliced my arm with the kitchen knife.
Fuck.
Before she could take another step, I lunged forward and grabbed her wrist. With my other hand, I took the hilt of the knife and twisted it out of her hand. She quickly threw her elbow up, and she twisted out of my grip, exactly like I’d taught her.
I whirled around as my own warm blood dripped down my arm and lunged towards her, tripping her. She went tumbling to the floor and was nearly up again as I grabbed her. I pinned her as gently as I could, holding her shoulders to the ground as I sat on her, trying to get her attention as she screamed and writhed underneath me, struggling. Her arms were pinned under my legs. Despite her best efforts, she wasn’t going anywhere.
“Emma.” I said softly. “Emma, I’m not going to hurt you. Okay?” I pleaded with her, taking her face and forcing her to look at me. “I need you to tell me what happened so we can figure out what’s going on. Okay?” Her eyes were so wild, so distrusting, and I continued. “I just want to keep you safe.”
She panted underneath me struggling, and finally she stilled, realizing she wasn’t going anywhere. “Fine.”
Her immediate submission surprised me and I knew better. “Are you going to try to run when I get up, darling?” I raised my brow.
“No.” She grunted out. “Just get the fuck off me.”
I blew a breath out, “Alright, let’s just–” I moved slightly, and no sooner had I shifted than I was crying out, my eyes suddenly burning.
Pepper spray.
It burned my eyes and singed my lungs with my next inhale.
I growled out a string of curse words as my hand went to my eyes. I felt Emma writhing around under me coughing as well. She managed to flip over on her stomach and push up. Push me off balance, just enough to scramble up, just like I’d taught her. The fucking timing of it all.
“Fuck!” I grabbed her around the waist and hauled her up, her feet no longer on the ground. “Give me the fucking pepper spray, Emma.” I growled.
I fought her for the pepper spray, twisting her wrist until she cried out and finally released it. I threw her over my shoulder and hauled her upstairs. With every step I took, she railed against me, harder than she had the night I’d broken into her house. She was fighting now, like she meant it. She bit my shoulder blade, and I cursed. She bashed where she’d stabbed me weeks ago, again and again. I gripped her tightly, my jaw clenched with every hit she delivered onto my still healing wound, and then I reached the upstairs hallway closet. I swung open the door and pushed her into the hall closet, slamming the door behind her.
“Don’t bother trying to get out.” I snapped. “Take a breather. You’re safe. You hear me? You’re fucking safe.” I was breathing heavily as I pressed my head against the door. I tried to speak in a more soothing voice, but I could hear my tone. She’d gotten me all worked up and my voice was far from comforting.
I panted as I shoved the hallway table in front of the door to keep it shut while I dealt with my eyes. I stalked down the hall to the bathroom, where I rinsed my eyes and mouth out. I blew out a breath and leaned on the counter before hearing the hallway door rattling violently and I quickly went back into the hallway.
The door remained closed, blocked by the table, but the table rocked as she shoved against it. I leaned against the wall. I would give her a minute to calm down. Hell, I needed a minute to calm down.
Finally, after what felt like a lifetime, the door stopped rattling. I moved the table, and opened the door. Emma sat curled up in a ball on the floor, crying. She didn’t even look up as I opened the door.
And then I didn’t have to try. Softness and gentleness rushed through me as I gazed at her. “Emma?” I squatted down in front of her.
She didn’t look up; she didn’t say a word.
“Whose blood is that– are you hurt?”
“Are you fucking joking?” She sobbed, her voice muffled as she kept herself tucked all together.
I wanted so badly to reach out, to touch her, to pull her into my lap. She still hadn’t answered my question. Was that her blood or someone else's?
“Please?” I pleaded softly. “Please don’t shut me out.”
Nothing.
“If you don’t want to be with me, I understand, but I need to make sure you’re not hurt. Can I check you?” I lowered down to my knee, putting us a hair closer. I wasn’t sure if I should reach out and touch her just yet.
Her eyes snapped up, and she finally responded, her voice trembling. “Are you going to kill me?”
The air whooshed out of my lungs at the sincerity she held in her question. It hurt more than my side being stabbed or my arm being sliced. It cut into the deepest caverns of my heart. “You think I want you dead?” I asked softly. I couldn’t help it. I reached out and took her chin in my hand. She tried to jerk away, but I held her face firmly, forcing her to meet my eyes fully.
