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“Maybe not, but I can’t let this go unpunished.” He pulls me in and cradles my head against his broadchest. “You’re mine. No one touches what’s mine.” He stares down at me and makes the obvious correction. “What’s ours.”
We leave the building, and after a quick ride in his limo, he brings me home to Ford’s apartment.
When we get inside just as Nell is leaving, I suck it up and don’t want her to know what happened. I feel ashamed, like it was my fault.
I climb the stairs and amble into my bedroom, where I change into something comfortable to wear.
Emery doesn’t leave my side. But he calls a police lieutenant he obviously knows well if he has the guy’s cell phone number. He reports the crime with quick and sharp details. I then hear him talk to Ford, followed by Ash, saying briefly that I was assaulted.
I lay down on my bed, and Emery holds me while we wait for my other boyfriends. I try to close my eyes and nap while Emery talks low on his phone with his R&D managers, explaining they need to find someone to replace the deal they had with Lars.
I spot all those art supplies Emery bought for me still sitting in bags in the corner. My stomach turns over as it’s done each time I’ve toyed with them, only to find out my creative drive is still dead.
Ford and Ashton show up, and they’re nothing short of livid after Emery explains what Lars did.
All three of them climb into bed with me, stroking my arms and kissing my face.
Uncomfortable with all the attention, I get to my feet.
“I’m fine. Just shaken up. The guy didn’t even touch me. Except when I tried to run, he blocked me, and I got winded.”
“Good thing, you went looking for her,” Ford saysto Emery with a tight smile.
I hate that this happened at his office, and he feels responsible.
“I’ll order you some soup.” Ash kisses my forehead and goes for the menus Ford keeps in the kitchen.
“What’s this asshole’s name?” Ford says, holding his phone. “I know someone at INS.”
“INS?” I ask.
“I can get him stopped at JFK.”
“I already called a detective I know. Let Bernadette get some rest.” Emery kisses me again. “I want you to take the rest of the week off. But she shouldn’t be alone.”
Ford goes rigid. “I have another case to prepare for.”
“I don’t have any more surgeries,” Ash says, coming back from the kitchen. “I’ll stay with her during the day.”
“I’ll clear my schedule,” Emery says.
“No.” I feel suffocated. “I don’t want to be smothered. That feels...off.”
“She’s right. Bernie is strong.” Ford hugs me. “But I don’t want you to leave the apartment, okay? Just for a few days. Nell is here if you need anything while I’m at work.”
I say yes because I’m in shock.
“Okay. But Emery, please stop by for lunch. And Ash...”
“I’ll be here on and off too, baby.”
“I’d like to close my eyes for a while before eating something.”
After they each kiss me and hug me, I’m alone in the bedroom.
Those art supplies snag my eyes again. I haven’tbeen able to use them. They were expensive and going to waste.
I stomp to grab the bag, thinking I can catch Emery to return them. But the plastic rips and everything tumbles out.
