Page 52 of Desire

EMMA

The familiar buzz of Emma’s phone sliced through the air, jolting her out of her daydream of her massage last night. She glanced at the screen and saw Joey’s name.

“Hello?” It wasn’t like Joey to call her during work.

“I need you to meet me at the Parkway Diner. Right now.” He sounded upset.

Ice filled her veins. “What’s wrong? Did you get your new assignment? Are you leaving right now?”

“No, just...please meet me there. It’s important.”

“Okay, I’m on my way.” Grabbing her purse, she poked her head into Colleen’s office. Colleen looked up from her computer, brows furrowing.

“I’m sorry for bothering you. I have a family emergency,” Emma said. “I don’t know when I’ll be back.”

“Of course. Do what you need to do. Let me know if there’s anything I can do to help.”

“Thanks.” Emma gave her a tight smile before rushing out the door, nearly tripping down the steps in her haste. She hoped nothing was wrong with Mom or Dad, but Joey would have said something if that was the case.

Before she got to the elevator, though, her phone vibrated again. This time, Dante’s name came up. It was a text that simply said, I need to see you.

As she rode the elevator down to the lobby, she texted back. I can’t right now. Joey needs me. I’m meeting him at the diner.

There was a pause and three dots danced on her screen. She hurried out to her car. By the time, she got in and was on the highway, Dante replied.

Heads up then. Joey knows. He saw a picture of us kissing. He’s already confronted me and he’s not happy.

“Shit,” Emma said. Of course Joey would find out about her and Dante in the worst possible way.

When she got to the diner, she slid into the booth across from her brother. He had already ordered for her and it was on the table waiting for her: cheeseburger with fries and a chocolate shake.

“Joey, you didn’t have to order for me,” she muttered, picking up a fry and absently dipping it into the milkshake.

“That’s gross,” he told her as she ate the chocolate ice cream coated french fry, but it lacked his usual teasing tone. “Speaking of gross—” Joey thrust his phone toward her. On the screen was the photo of her and Dante kissing passionately at the roller derby ring. She felt her cheeks flush with heat as she saw herself caught in the throes of ecstasy, Dante’s strong arms wrapped around her.

“Since when are you hanging out at roller derby matches? And playing tonsil hockey with my best friend? I don’t even know who you are anymore.”

She flinched at the bewilderment and accusation in his tone. “I’m still me.” She reached for his hand, but he pulled away. “I’m just trying new things.”

He cut her off, his voice sharp as a knife. “Dante shouldn’t be one of those experiments.” As he spoke, his gaze flicked down to her neck, where the black leather collar encircled her throat. His eyes widened in shock. “What the hell is that?”

Emma’s fingers grazed the smooth leather, her heart swelling with the warmth of Dante’s love. A smile spread across her lips. “It’s a piece of jewelry, Joey. I love it.”

He stared at her, uncomprehending, before shuddering in disgust. “That’s just wrong. Dante should be like a brother to you.”

“Well, he’s not.” Her love for Dante was fierce, all-consuming, and she refused to let anyone belittle it. But she also knew she couldn’t dismiss her brother’s concerns outright. Instead, she focused on the truth: her own growth and transformation. The collar around her neck was more than a declaration of her love for Dante; it was a symbol of her journey of self-discovery and exploration.

“The guy’s a player. You’re just his latest conquest.” Joey shook his head, face etched with disappointment. “I thought you were smarter than this.”

“It’s not like that. Dante’s not taking advantage of me.”

“He’s not the one for you.”

“I’ve had a crush on Dante ever since we were teenagers. I never thought I’d have the courage to act on it, but I couldn’t deny my feelings any longer. It was all me, Joey. I pursued Dante, not the other way around. It’s what I wanted—what I needed.”

“You don’t know what you’re getting into,” Joey warned. “You deserve so much better. You need to get out of this now before you lose your heart to him.”

“It’s too late for that,” she said. “Dante and I are in a committed relationship, and we love each other.”

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