Page 73 of Beaten

“It worked for me.” Jack said as he smiled at Meg.

“Okay, okay. I’ll order a dozen pink roses and have them delivered tomorrow.”

“That’s not good enough. Eric will update you when she gets home right?” I nodded, so she continued, “Give her a few minutes to get settled in, then show up with flowers in hand. Be her Prince Charming and sweep her off her feet.” My soon to be sister-in-law was a hopeless romantic.

“Or you know, just tell her you were wrong to postpone the date, and apologize.” Jack offered less romantic advice.

“Sure you could do that.” Meg rolled her eyes at us. “But if you do, make sure you aske her out and set a date for your date. That way she knows you mean it.”

“She has a point.” Jack agreed with Meg.

“I’ll think about it.”

I couldn’t stop thinking about Emily, and how badly I still wanted to take her out. But could I still do my job and protect her if we started dating now? Because I couldn’t, wouldn’t, risk anything happening to her. I’d never forgive myself if I failed to protect her the way I’d failed Isabelle.I don’t think I can do it. I’d have time to make things right after Craig was out of the picture.

“Jamie, you okay?” Meg asked.

“I can’t do it. I can’t risk anything happening to her because I’m not focused.”

“Jamie, I know you still think you’re responsible for Isabelle’s death but you aren’t. And this situation isn’t the same. She’s protected, Jamie. We won’t let anything happen to her.” When I didn’t say anything, Jack asked, “Want to know what I think?”

Hadn’t he been telling me for a while now?

“I think you’d be less distracted if you were dating her. Because right now you’re distracted twenty-four-seven by the fact that you want to ask her out, but won’t, and you keep putting your foot in your mouth anytime to try to explain to her why you feel the need to wait.”

Well fuck. That was a dose of reality I needed but hadn’t wanted to hear. But he was right, this is different. Isabellehadn’t had any protection except the restraining order the school insisted she file. Emily had a bodyguard.

I wasn’t sure I’d feel less distracted if we were dating, but trying to keep my distance and remain completely professional was distracting me to the brink of insanity.

“I don’t know.”

“Jamie,” Meg reached over and laid her hand over mine, “You both deserve to be happy. She was obviously hurt when you delayed your date, and you’re obviously hurt that she shut you out after misunderstanding your intent. Don’t you think you both deserve the chance to talk about this?”

She has a point.I’d been trying so hard to protect her that I’d ignored how much I’d hurt her. If nothing else, I had to talk to her and explain how much I hated having to postpone our date, and try to make her understand I was trying to do the right thing.

Chapter 35

Emily

The first thing I noticed after I closed the door was how quiet it was. Usually I’d hear the TV, or music playing on the radio in the kitchen.

I had a sinking feeling in my gut as I called out, “Mom, Dad?”

“About fucking time.” Craig’s voice dripped with hatred.

I froze in place and screamed.

“Shut up, you bitch. I know they got a guy watching the house; if he hears you I’ll kill your fucking parents.”

I put a trembling hand over my mouth and nodded.

“Good. Now get over here.”

I tried, but when I noticed the gun in his hand my feet froze to the floor, and my whole body started shaking.He's going to kill me.

“NOW!” He pointed the gun in his right hand at the floor in front of him. Somehow, I found the strength to move.When I stopped in front of him he back-handed me, then grabbed my hair and yanked my head back.

I tried not to make a noise, but I couldn’t stop myself from wincing in pain.

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