on my lips, but I remember the lambs that Noel told me not to name.
“My dad would never kill children.” I knew my dad was a bomb maker. The thought of him killing anyone makes me uncomfortable, but it was part of our family. But, children? NO.
He looks at me, and shame courses through my system. The way Shay and Jack had spoken about my family and me made me feel nothing but shame. I had to remind myself that it wasn’t true. My father would never kill children.
“I’m not debating this with you, Emma.” His mind doesn’t seem present. His words are there, but there is no emotion behind them.
My nose burns as I stare at his large back. I hate the thoughts that consume me. When he had said Jack was coming, I couldn’t wait to finally see who I was supposed to marry. But the moment he had stepped into the room, I had felt proud that I was Shay’s. My cheeks flame even at the thought. Jack couldn’t hold a candle to Shay in the looks department, but if I hadn’t seen Shay first, I suppose Jack could grow on me.
“I’m going to untie you.”
My thoughts rattle around in my head like loose change, and I try to focus as Shay’s cologne surrounds me.
“My dad would never hurt children.” I’m trying to catch his eye. I need him to believe me, but he unties the rope, and I wiggle my arm immediately.
I get up off the chair as Shay looks out the window. The betrayal is huge to him. I had no idea how all this worked, but Shay was coming out the worst from the conversation I had just heard. Where I fell into all this, I wasn’t sure.
“Did your people try to kill me?” I ask.
He really looks at me this time. “I don’t know.”
“Comforting,” I reply and fold my arms across my chest.
“I’m not here to comfort you, Emma.”
I want to correct him. He would be my husband, so he should be trying to comfort me, but we both knew that wasn’t going to happen. He was leaving, and that was for the best. I could go back to my family. If it was, why was I still standing here watching him stare out the window? I could run.
I glance at the front door.
“We aren’t safe here.”
Shay is back to looking at me. “You mean you aren’t.” After what I heard from Jack, Shay is at risk from my family. Especially if Liam’s men relay how I’ve been treated, I shouldn’t feel bad for what might happen to him, but I do.
“I’ll tell them that it wasn’t so bad,” I say and look away from him.
His laughter has me looking back.
“You are coming with me, love.” His grin is cold and calculating.
“Why?” What the hell would he want me for?
Shay takes a large step towards me, and the space shrinks while a want inside me grows.
“I’m not leaving behind my ‘Cash Cow.”’
My body temperature spikes along with my temper. ‘Cash Cow’? So I would be used as a ransom?
“My people want you dead. Your people want me dead. So logic tells me we are better together.”
“Your logic is screwed.” I’m ready to walk away. His fingers curl around my forearm.
“You won’t make it home if you leave this house. That’s not an idle threat, Emma. The people who attacked you and Liam won’t stop until blood is spilled.”
Shay’s words are like a breeze that slides in under the door and creeps up on you, making you shiver.
His dark eyes grow darker when I glance at him over my shoulder.
“My dad will protect me.”
Shay releases me and looks at me like I’m nothing. Once again, a fresh wave of shame burns my cheeks.
“He didn’t kill any children.” I know that’s what he’s thinking.
“You're coming with me, and that’s it.”
That wasn’t going to happen. “Where are we going? To hide out in the mountains?” The thoughts of being alone with Shay in some cabin have too many satisfying fantasies growing and swirling in my mind.
“Up north.”
It’s my turn to laugh at his stupidity. “If these people are trying to kill me…” I trail off as he stares at me.
“Let me just pack.” I lie, and his hand circles my arm again, stopping me.
“You won’t need anything.”
I yank my arm out of his as panic starts to grow and morph into a strangling panic that I can’t get away from.
“I’m not going.”
Shay’s hand grows tighter. “We