Page 96 of Freeing Emily
She mentioned being unable to speak with her, but I couldn’tnothave her here when Declan invited her.
I only hope Emily won’t be too angry with me when she finds out.
For the first time in I don’t know how long, I feel happy. Well, I guess as happy as someone in my situation can be. Every day it becomes easier to breathe. It’s easier to ignore the voices in my head that mock me. It’s easier to decipher what is real and what is not.
I’m not haunted by the women and children as often. Nikolai doesn’t come around anymore.
It’s just… calm. My mind is calm and I’m grateful beyond words.
“Emily!” Ingrid shouts from the front of the mansion. I turn around from where I am sitting in the garden, and she gestures for me to go to her.
I close my journal and stand. I dust off my sundress – today I chose yellow – and straighten any wrinkles that formed from how long I’ve been sitting.
“Your brother and Paige will be here within the next two hours. Niall is preparing a large dinner to welcome them home.” Ingrid says when I stand at the end of the steps.
She looks up at the sky which has begun to darken with the sudden arrival of a summer storm. “Shite. I better go tell him to plan to have the dinner inside.” She turns on a heel and walks inside without another word.
I open the door to my room right as Liam steps out of the closet. He is pulling a black Henley over his head. Muscles, and tattoos on full display.
Closing the door, I lean against it and cross my arms. Once he’s pulled the shirt over his abs, he smiles at me.
“What?” he says, walking toward me.
He crowds my space and cups my jaw. He kisses me hungrily before pressing his forehead against mine.
“We never talked about you moving in here,” I whisper.
“Emily,” he says, and I look into his eyes. “Can I move in your room with you?”
My lip tips upward and I chuckle. I stare into his eyes that are full of humor and shrug.
“I mean, I guess you can,” I say sarcastically.
He presses a kiss to my neck. “Are you getting sassy with me?” he asks, nipping my collarbone.
He kicks at my feet, so my legs spread further apart. I shift my weight, and he presses me against the door. My eyes close and I soak up the feel of his breath traveling up my neck.
“I need to get ready,” I mutter, not making an effort to move away from him.
“Not yet,” he whispers, peppering my skin with gentle kisses.
Heat spreads throughout my body and arousal pools at my core.
“Liam,” I moan.
Thepingof his phone breaks our bubble, and he growls under his breath. He shoves his hands into his pocket and pulls out his phone.
“I gotta head to the airport with Rhys.” He says, rolling his neck in annoyance. He brings his face closer to mine. “We’ll finish this when I get back.”
I nod and he kisses my lips with a quick peck before reaching for the doorknob. I step aside. Sending me a wink, he leaves, and the door shuts behind him.
Paige and Declan climb into the back seat of the SUV. The airport staff load their luggage into the trunk.
“I haven’t told Emily about Caetlin coming to the US,” I say the moment the door is shut. My uneasiness grows the closer it gets to the party and to Caetlin’s arrival. I don’t know how Emily is going to react, but my gut is telling me it’s not going to be good.
“How has she been?” Paige asks, settling against Declan’s side.
The trunk slams shut, and Rhys quickly shifts into drive and pulls away from the private jet.