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I slowly shake my head. “I tried earlier, but I was also awake, not dozing off. I couldn’t feel him.”
She stares at me. “Why don’t you try tonight? Think of him and all the good moments with him. Don’t force anything, just drift off. Then see what happens.”
Wiping my eyes, I lower my hands, hope filling my heart. I slowly nod. “I’ll give it a try.”
“Good.” She pats my knee. “I know that you don’t love William, Irelynn. You never have to feel guilty talking to me about Max.”
A soft smile crosses my face. She hit the nail on the head. “I know you’ve known William for years. I just feel…”
She leans forward, grabbing the trashcan. I toss my tissues into it. When she sets it down, she takes my hand. “I love William like a son. Thatdoesn’tmean I agree with what he’s doing.” She gives me a long look. Emma turns her head toward the door, then back to me, her voice in a conspiratorial whisper. “If you think Max is alive, if you feel him in your dreams, then tell me. I will do whatever I can to help you get out of here.” She stares at me for a moment. “Understand that you may have to tie me up or something before you make an escape attempt. So you need to prepare yourself for that.”
My gaze is full of disbelief and I blink a few times, processing her words. Awe replaces it as I put my hand to my chest. “Emma…” I swallow hard. “I don’t know what to say.”
“I do. Say that you agree to my terms.” She gives me a smile. “I’d prefer if you could call for help somehow before you execute your plan, though.” Emma lowers her gaze, defeat in the long, low sigh that escapes her lips. “Damian always reminded me more of Gregory than William ever has. William has a lot of his mom, Isabella, in him. Not just in his features, although he certainly has her fairness—blue eyes, blond hair, and pale skin. He is like her in temperament and personality. Damian, on the other hand…” She trails off, biting her lip. “He is capable of the same evilness that Gregory possesses. And he’s trying hard to make Gregory see that and cut William from his will, since he knows Gregory is sick.” She shakes her head, finally meeting my eyes. “He wasalwaysjealous of William, especially when he found out that he was his half-brother. William is the golden child in his eyes. And when he witnessed William getting beaten by Gregory before he sent him to boarding school, I saw the look of pure delight on his face.”
I suck in a breath. “That is horrible! Why was Gregory beating him?”
Emma shakes her head sadly. “He was tired of William being so depressed over his mom’s death. That’s the main reason he sent William to boarding school. He didn’t want to deal with him.” Her voice cracks and a tear slips down her cheek. I grab a tissue, handing it to her. She takes it, wiping her eyes, then tosses it in the trash can before she looks at me. “Damian started worming his way into Gregory’s life while William was away. He refused to see Gregory was only using him.” She pauses for several beats. “When William returned, Damian was pretty much thrown back into being a servant again, and hehatedit. I knew he’d find a way to get his revenge. Stupidly, I thought it would be against Gregory, and not William.”
My eyes are full of sympathy for William. “How awful. His dad beat him for mourning his mom?” My voice rises slightly. “God, I want to punch that asshole.”
“Oh, I understand. So many times I’ve wanted to hit him.” A slightly mischievous glint is in her eyes and smile. “I settled for putting laxatives in his desserts.”
I can’t help the burst of laughter that comes out. “Emma, that’s brilliant.” I squeeze her arm gently.
She gives me a slight bow. “Thank you.” She giggles, then turns serious. “William will protect you from Damian. I have no doubt. As misguided as he is, he really cares about you. He’d kill Damian without a second thought if he would try to harm you.” She shifts on the bed so that she faces me head on. “Just make sure when you run, Damian has been taken care of by William… or that Max is well enough to protect you. Okay?”
I nod, my mood somber. “Do you think Damian would really hurt me?”
Emma’s look is piercing and sharp. “Youare the best way to hurt William. You’re his only weakness.”
Shoving my hands in the pockets of the sweatshirt I’m still wearing from my time outside, I shiver slightly, her words striking fear inside my heart.
“I don’t want to scare you.” Her hand moves to my leg, squeezing gently. “But Damian… he’s sinister and calculating. He wouldn’t think twice about seriously harming you. Or worse. He’d only be happy that he’s hurting William.” She gets up, grabs two bottles of water from the refrigerator, then returns to the bed. Handing me one, she twists the lid off, then takes a drink. Her eyes are full of fear. “I hate to say this, but ending your life would cause irreparable harm to William. And Damian damn well knows it.”
My breathing is heavy, and for the first time, I’m grateful William cares about me so much. In my heart, I’m certain Emma is right, and William will do anything to protect me. “How do you know this, Emma?”
“Because I’ve been listening to William and Bryan talk. That’s why William is so bothered that he can’t find out where Damian is. Because he knows he’s likely going to show up here. Sooner or later.”
My body tremors and I feel the color drain from my skin.
Emma tries her best to comfort me. “I just need you to know the truth, Miss Irelynn. I’m not trying to scare you.” Her eyes are gentle, full of conviction, as she says, “William will be increasing the security and I know he’ll do everything he can to ensure your safety. And Damian is probably lying low, knowing William’s guard will be up.” She pauses a few moments, taking in my face. “I am only telling you this so you can plan accordingly once you have a definitive answer about the man you love, okay?”
Pulling my hands from my pockets, I squeeze her hand. “Thank you, Emma. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”
She leans forward, hugging me. “I care for you, Miss Irelynn. Despite loving William, I have your best interests at heart, too.” When she pulls back, her eyes are soft. “You remind me so much of my daughter. I wish I could have seen her grow to be a lovely young woman, like you.”
My eyes shimmer with tears. “I wish you could have, too. I know she would have been an amazing person.”
“Thank you, Miss Irelynn.”
There’s a gentle rapping on the door, then William opens it, poking his head in. “Hey, Emma. Bryan says he wants some of that chocolate cake you made.” He steps into the room, hands in the pockets of his running pants. His blue eyes regard me, and he cocks his head. “Are you okay?”
I nod, touched at the genuine concern on his face. “Yes, I’m okay.” I look at Emma. “Although I’m slightly jealous that I’m just now hearing about this chocolate cake.” I give Emma a teasing smile. “Since when do you hold out on me where chocolate is concerned?”
Emma throws her head back and laughs. “I can’t believe I forgot to mention it to you.” She looks over at William and winks. “Do you think we should allow her a piece? She didn’t eat all of her lunch.”
William looks at me, brows raised. “Hmm… normally I’d say no, but we don’t want her to waste away to nothing but skin and bones.” He winks at me. “You better cut her a big piece.”
