my bedroom and closed the door. I turned to Stephen, my expression grew serious.
“She can’t know.” I whipsered. Stephen nodded. He knew the consequences if anyone found out. The door opened again.
“Emma” I called for her to join us.
“Shit” She muttered and bit her lip as she came to my side. I pulled her lip free from her teeth with my thumb.
“Sit” She took her seat on the couch.
“Emma” The Mayor nodded his head to greet her.
“Mayor Locklin” She replied, ducking her head so he would not see her embarrassment.
“Please, call me Stephen.” He replied and she began to relax.
“Stephen” She repeated. I sat next to her and put my hand on her knee. Mine.
“Stephen is an old friend of mine from college. He also owes me a favor, which makes him trustworthy.” I smiled at her, trying to make her more comfortable.
“Now, how do you propose we get rid of your ex-wife?” Stephen asked causually, not being careful with his words. I shot him a warning glare as I felt Emma grow limp at my side. “What the fuck?” Stephen screamed in a panic. I shook Emma, praying she would wake up.
“Emma!” I shook her. She growned but did not open her eyes. “Get some water!” I shouted at Stephen. He ran to the kitchen and filled a glass, bringing it back to me. I splashed water on her face and her eyes bagan to flutter.
“What happened?” She asked, looking around, confused.
“Are you narcaleptic?” The Stephen asked, looking genuinely scared shitless.
“NO” She answered, tugging at her shirt. I placed my hand on her shoulder to soothe her.
“We didn’t mean ‘get rid of her’ like that.” I had to hold back a laugh. It was exactly what we meant. “We just need to figure out how to make her not come back again and again once she has been paid.” I rubbed her knee, trying to make sure she believed me. She looked to Stephen.
“Right, well, we need to negotiate terms and have your lawyer speak with her. Are you sure this is about the money and not about some sort of revenge?” He asked, his eyes burning through me.
“No, no. She’s the one who broke my heart, remember?” I glared at him. He was saying too much.
“Yea, I know. I just needed to make sure there was nothing else that would come out later.” He stood up and I rose from the couch. “Should be a pretty straight forward arrangement. Are you sure you want to pay her off? You could always let her say what she wants. It’s not like you need the teaching job.” I ran my hands through his hair and nodded. I knew he was really asking if I thought she would go through with it. If she would spill everything.
“You know I can’t let this come out. I would never hear the end of it from my father.”
“I’ll help as much as I can. I owe you that much.” Stephen replied, holding out his hand. We shook and the mayor nodded at Emma politely before leaving. I followed after him and locked the door.
“You could have warned me that you had company!” She smacked me playfully on the arm.
“You could have warned me that you passed out so easily. Had that happened in the bedroom I would have thought I killed you.” My mind flashed to the hotel.
“Sorry” She looked down at her feet. I stepped closer, pulling her into my arms and squeezing her tightly.
“Can I ask you something?” I took a deep breath, my arms stiffened.
“Ask away”
“What did you do for the mayor that he feels he owes you?” She looked up to me.
“If it wasn’t for me he would have never made it through college. I tutored him, helped keep him on track.” I smiled at her and squeezed her closer.
“Here I thought you helped him bury a hooker or something.” She joked. I laughed and stared over her.
“No, the dead hookers didn’t start to pile up until after he became mayor.” She bit her lip and slapped me playfully on the chest.
“Where are you going to come up with the kind of money she is asking for on a professor’s salary?” She asked. I let go of her and ran my hands though my hair. She was asking too many questions.
“My father. In fact, he is the reason she and I didn’t last in the first place.” I shook my head. “Abby started turtoring me senior year. I was more