Mafia King (Young Irish Rebels #2) - Vi Carter Page 0,79
on the coffee table catches the light, and I pick it up too and place it in my chest pocket before putting on my coat.
Emma is staring at me. “Go get your coat.”
She shifts for a second before doing as I ask.
Emma keeps quiet the whole way to the pharmacy, where I get them to freeze the frame on the tape and print out the image of the guy. She’s put on a white fluffy hat that covers some of her hair, but a lot still sticks out.
She’s twirling the sunglasses stand, trying some on.
“You want a pair?” I ask from the counter.
“No.” She puts them back and marches away.
The assistant smiles at me. “In the bad books?”
I smile. “Always.”
Her laugh is loud, and Emma reappears at my side. “What’s taking so long?”
“It’s nearly ready.” The assistant moves away from the desk and climbs the three steps to where the photos are being printed.
I lean against the counter and glance down at Emma.
“You’re like a badly behaved dog.”
She tenses, and her face flames. I’m fighting a smile. She was too easy to rile. “Did your brother ever tell you that?”
“No. He wouldn’t compare me to a dog.” She’s ready to march away.
“Only a donkey going backward,” I mumble and know she hears me. I swear I see a smile as she disappears down an aisle just as the assistant returns with my photos. I pay her and find Emma checking out makeup. It’s something I’ve never seen her wear. She doesn’t have to.
“You want some?” I ask.
She shakes her head. “Are we ready to go?”
Her mood has changed again, and I’m not about to ask her what’s wrong.
I don’t have far to go before I pull up into Fairview Estate, where John lives. He’s a retired investigator who can find anyone.
I leave the engine running. “Stay in the car. I won’t be a minute.”
Emma doesn’t answer me.
“Emma.” I force a warning into my voice, and she glares at me. “What’s wrong?” I give in and ask.
“I just want to be normal for once. I want to be like other girls.” I have no idea where this was coming from.
“You aren’t like other girls.”
“Yeah, they don’t have to sit in the corner of a room while someone is shot. Or lie on the floor of a vehicle to dodge bullets. Or watch their future husband go crazy in a cage fight. Or …”
I cover her mouth. “What do you want me to do?” It’s a growl. “I can’t fucking change any of that. This is it.”
Her eyes glaze over, and I remove my hand. “I just want to do something normal.”
What the fuck was normal?
“Let me just make this quick stop, and how about we go for food?” Because we aren’t running for our lives.
“I’d like that.” Emma doesn’t sound happy at all, but I don’t have time to baby her anymore.
I can’t stop looking back at Emma in the car. She’s watching me, and it feels weird not to have her at my side as I knock on John’s door.
I’m thinking the worst. What if some car speeds into the estate and shoots up the car, or she decides that she wants out and jumps into the driver’s side? That second thought feels far more plausible and has me making things quick as I knock again.
John opens the door, and I hesitate, looking back at the car, but I need to find this man. I step across the threshold and leave Emma in the car, hoping she doesn’t run.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
EMMA
I feel stupid. Stupid for wanting something like makeup and flowers. The moment I had seen the makeup in the pharmacy, it made me think about all the parties I had dreamed of hosting while getting my makeup and hair done. I just snapped.
I glance at the house that Shay had gone into. My stomach keeps tightening. I hate not having him beside me. I lean across and lock his door, just in case someone comes along and jumps in. Being in the pharmacy and in the normal world with Shay had been so nice for one second. When the assistant had laughed at whatever Shay had said, my blood had boiled, and all I wanted to do was attach myself to Shay, so she would know he was taken.
I glance at the house again. I don’t see any movement. It’s only been a minute, but it’s a minute too long.
The thought of going for food with him had excitement bubbling