Page 55 of Ice Cold Hearts
“In what world do you think we’d ever allow you to pay for that?” I snap. “We’re taking care of all of this.”
I feel like a monster when she shrinks into herself at my tone.
“Will you agree to a driver? It’s for your safety. We’d be lost without you, Emily. The press is our problem. Let us help you solve it,” Oliver insists gently.
“All right.”
Some of the tightness in my chest loosens.
“What about security?” Oliver presses. “You should have someone with you just in case.”
Emily bristles. “No. I don’t want someone following me around. You guys only have security at big events. There’s no reason for me to have a bodyguard. Besides, they don’t know where I live, they haven’t found Audrey, and the hospital has already proven they can handle any press at work.”
All I can see is red.
Why the fuck won’t she let us keep her safe?
“Yet,” I spit out.
“Excuse me?” Emily turns toward me.
“I think you meant to say they don’t know where I live yet. They haven’t found Audrey yet. Because they’re going to. Even though we’re not coming out about our relationship to the press, they are going to find out everything about you and everything about her. Do you have any idea how stupid you’re being right now?” My heart sinks when she recoils from me, but I’m too worked up to stop. “Do you really think any of us would be able to cope if something happened to you or that sweet little girl? Yet here you are, throwing caution to the wind, refusing a perfectly reasonable security detail. But let’s just throw caution to the wind. Who cares, right?” I throw my hands up. “If you want to be reckless and put yourself in unnecessary danger, I’m not going to sit here and be a part of this. I’m out of here.”
They all call after me, but I refuse to give them the satisfaction of looking back.
18
EMILY
If Ian had slapped me across the face, it would have stung less than what he said before he stormed out. Honestly, I think I might have preferred the slap.
“I should go check on him,” Oliver says, rising from the couch.
“No.” I hold up my hand. “I need to be the one to handle this.”
“Are you sure? Ian can be a little intense.”
“I upset him. I need to patch things up,” I insist. “Clearly, there’s more going on here than what’s on the surface. If we’re going to make this work, I need to figure out what it is. If either of us needs emotional backup, I’ll come get you.”
Before either of them can protest, I snatch the baby monitor off the table and march up to Ian’s room.
Any anger I had immediately evaporates the moment I peek cautiously into his room. Ian is perched on the edge of his bed holding his head in his hands. I can’t tell if he’s crying because he’s entirely silent, but his shoulders are shaking.
Ian has always been leaner, trending toward a runner’s build rather than being broad and bulky, but he’s still a larger than average guy. Right now, though, he looks smaller than Audrey with how curled into himself he is.
I’d come up here with the intention of giving him a piece of my mind, but now all I want to do is pick him up and carry him away from everything that’s hurting him.
I set the baby monitor on the dresser by the door and settle gingerly next to him on the bed. He flinches when I touch him but doesn’t object when I start rubbing small circles on his back. Now that I’m closer, his tears are more obvious, as are the almost imperceptible sniffles.
“Take all the time you need, but when you’re ready to talk, I’m right here,” I say gently.
After a few minutes, Ian straightens and hastily swipes at his eyes.
“I appreciate your coming up to check on me, but this is my problem, not yours. You don’t have to be here and watch me deal with my mess,” he says hoarsely.
Who hurt you?
“Ian,” I sigh, “downstairs, you said we were at the point where we wanted to label our relationship. If you want me around, you’re going to have to let me see every side of you, not just the sunshiny ones. I’m a big girl. I can take it.”