Page 18 of Drowning

Why, what happened now?

He broke into your fucking house, Eli. He's stalking her ass, and she's fucking terrified.

Take her home tonight and stay with her. I won't be home until morning.

I thought you were taking her to the beach house tomorrow.

I am, but I had to drive down there tonight to let Ace and Stone in. Tell Seven to head over tonight.

Fine. But we need to talk about how we're going to handle that motherfucker.

We will, trust me. Just take her home and fucking protect her for me.

Will do.

I toss my phone on the cushion beside me, a cunning grin on my face I can't wipe away. He just gave me an in with Em, and he doesn't even know it.

Standing up, I tuck my gun in the back of my pants and cover it with my shirt, clutching the bottle of Crown as I head for the door. But it opens before I can get to it, and a tipsy Emerson walks in with Seven's hands protectively holding hers.

"Daddy Kane!" she squeals, dropping Seven's hand and rushing over to me, nearly knocking me over as she jumps into my arms.

Hearing her call me Daddy makes my cock jump against her stomach and my blood rushes like a tidal wave through my veins. Seven winks, licking his lips as his eyes lock onto her ass, leaning against the closed door.

"Someone's feeling better." I laugh, brushing her silky brown curls out of her face so I can see her better. And fuck,she's gorgeous.

"I am, thank you." She kisses my cheek and goes to take a step back, but I snatch her wrist and yank her against my chest, feeling her hard nipples poking against me.

"Easy there, Little One," I warn with a smirk, running my hand up her back and pulling her closer. "Let's save the fun for when we get back to your house, huh?"

"What do you mean?" Her perfectly sculpted brows pinch in confusion as her racing heart thumps against my chest.

I lean in close, my lips brushing against her ear. "I mean, I have orders to take you home tonight and stay with you until your brother arrives." As I whisper into her ear, I can see the fire in her eyes igniting. She nods, biting her plump lips as a sly smile plays on them.

"Now be a good girl for me and go give this to Ryker or Kylie, whoever is behind the bar." I hand her an envelope of cash for the night, and as she takes it and spins on her heel, I slap her ass and watch it bounce as she saunters away seductively.

"I'll be right back," she says, turning to look at me one more time over her shoulder.

"Hurry back because I want to get going." My order comes out more demanding than I wanted it to, but she listens well and scurries off, making sure to give Seven and me a show as she leaves.

Alone, Seven turns to me, a slightly confused look on his face, his eyes drunk and bloodshot. "What was that all about?" Hepulls out a smoke and lights it, tucking a thick blunt behind his ear.

"Eli wants you to ride out to the beach house tonight to meet him, Stone, and Ace."

"I need to sober up some, but yeah, I'll be out there tonight. Take care of Emerson, Kane," he warns me, his tone turning serious. "She's struggling but won't admit it."

"I know; believe me."

As Seven stumbled out the door, I picked up the crown and capped it, my mind racing with the plans I had in store for Emerson tonight. She needed someone to protect her—to make her feel good—and I was more than fucking willing to play that role.

With a smirk, I waited for her bubbly ass to come back before we headed out the door, ready to take care of business—finally.

Back at Emerson's house, we head right for the stairs and run up them, her hand in mine as she pulls me behind her. I don't know what she thinks is going to happen tonight, but I already told her I wasn't going to fuck her.

Don't get me wrong, I want to, but I want her to be sober so she remembers it. I want her to want me while she's in the right frame of mind, and I don't want it to seem like I'm taking advantage.

I ignore all of the guilt from the promises I made her father, feeling like a piece of shit for wanting to ruin his little girl in the most sinful, depraved ways.

But even I can't resist temptation forever.