enjoyable.”
I shuddered. “I can’t believe he touched me.”
“He touched you? Where?” The humor had gone from Caleb’s eyes.
“I don’t mean like that. He … we fought, okay. I just, I never liked Drake. Never could trust him. He was always after making a name for himself.”
“He has made a name for himself. He’s turned into a trusted ally.”
I couldn’t stop shaking my head. It was wrong. “I can’t believe this.” I turned to look around at the greenhouse. “You created this?”
“Yes.”
“You?”
“I had help and guidance from a gardener, but I maintain all the plants and flowers here.”
“Why?”
“It makes me happy.”
“Right, and anything that makes you happy deserves your time.”
“You’re pissed again.”
“I’m trying to understand.”
“None of us wanted to let you go, Emily. None of us. We didn’t have a choice.”
I spun back around to face him. “Where are your parents?”
“I don’t want to get into that right now.”
“You’re really going to have to.” I folded my arms, but he merely took a step back.
“There are things you’re not ready to know.”
He left and I was alone in his garden, none the wiser as to what he meant.
****
Gael
My knuckles were bruised, but I had information. Caleb wasn’t going to like it. Washing off the blood, I looked up and saw the colors erupting over my face from the beating I’d taken. I’d won in the end, but there was nothing wrong with letting my opponent believe he was winning. It wasn’t fair, I’d admit, but it was fun.
He thought he could actually beat a Monster and win. It was laughable. He was now resting on the bottom of the ocean floor, unless a nice big shark was eating him. I liked to think something was getting use out of the pointless waste.
At the creak of the door, I grabbed my gun and aimed. No one came into my bedroom, least of all my bathroom. I paused.
Emily was staring right at me. Her hands were raised and I saw a slight tremble in them. I instantly hated myself for threatening her. “I’m sorry.”
“It’s okay.”
“No, it’s not. I’m not used to people coming into my bathroom.”
“I take it you’re a private person.”
I shrugged. “Not really. I just don’t have women in my room.”
She folded her arms. “Are you okay?”
“I see you don’t want to talk about the no-women comment.”
“You can tell me all you want that you weren’t with anyone. I know it’s been years and you’ve got certain needs. I don’t need to be lied to.”
“Not lying to you. No one would even begin to compare to you. You’re all I’ve ever wanted.”
“Cut the crap, Gael. Why is Drake working for you?”
I laughed. I couldn’t help it. “You’ve met him again. You got a little crush?”
“He’s an asshole.”
“You’d be surprised what he can find out.” I dried my hands on the towel and turned toward her.
Her gaze went all over my face. “What happened?”
I opened my mouth and closed it.
“It’s Ashley, isn’t it?”
“I’ve got to go and see Caleb.”
I tried to go past her but she put a hand on my chest. “Don’t, please. Tell me.”
I tossed the towel across the room. This information was for Caleb, but I didn’t want to hurt her any more than I already had. I knew using her friend wouldn’t exactly win us any respect in her books, but we’d done it anyway, and we’d fucked up.
“He had a boat waiting for him at the docks. Paid someone nearly ten grand to keep it quiet. I was able to get the information about the boat, who paid him, and where they dropped him off.”
“What? So, Earl Valentine is out on open water?”
“Yes.”
“Ashley hates the water. It scares her.”
“We’re going to get her back.”
She hit me in the chest. Once, then twice, before stepping back. Her scream cut me to the core. She spun on her heel, but I couldn’t let her go like this. I knew we were the ones who caused her pain. I grabbed her hand, pulling her back against me, and I took possession of her lips.
“No!” She pulled away.
Her lips already looked swollen.
She stared at me, and I expected her to slap me again, but instead, she moved closer, wrapping her arms around my neck and kissing me back as if her life depended on it.
I held her tight against me, lifting her up, sinking my fingers into her hair, breathing her in.
She wrapped her legs around me, and I walked her back, going into my bedroom. I sat down on the