Page 51 of Redemption's Inferno

“You going to make me?” he grunted, lifting her off the ground and putting her legs around his waist.

“Not today,” she whispered, moving in for another kiss. “But maybe tomorrow…”

“Good luck with that!” he murmured, burying his tongue in her mouth and gripping her ass tightly.

“Em?!” The bathroom door opened and a voice that was familiar to her startled them.

“Oh!” Emilie jumped down, staring up at her twin in shock. “Bas!” She only hesitated a fraction of a second before throwing her arms around him.

“Where have you been?” he demanded, hugging her. “And who the hell is he?!”

“Bas!” She smacked his arm. “This is Ch—Darryl. Darryl Carruthers, my twin brother, Sebastian Martensson.”

The men shook hands, eying each other warily.

“I meant to surprise everyone!” she tried to explain. “I had no idea you were here.”

“Obviously not!” he chuckled. “We’re all here—Karl and Kate, the twins, Mum and her new boyfriend—”

“Her new what?!” Emilie was gaping at him.

“You’ve missed a lot. I’ll go back into the bathroom so you can go surprise everyone—go on then and I’ll join you!”

She turned to Chains and pointed to her bedroom door. “Let’s drop off the bags and go.”

“All right, love.” He did as she asked and smiled as she tugged his hand, dragging him out to the large patio area. She could already hear Viggo’s hearty laugh and music coming from the outdoor speakers. The smell of something on the grill made her stomach growl and she forced herself to slow down.

“Ready?” She gave him a quick kiss before opening the sliding glass doors and stepping outside. “Surprise!” she called out. She almost laughed at the looks on everyone’s faces. Her mother was the first to react, though, jumping off the chaise lounge where she was sprawled and practically running to Emilie.

“Darling, you’re home! I’ve been so worried about you!” Anya Martensson threw her arms around her daughter.

“I’m okay, Mama!” she whispered.

“Em!” Viggo had Simone in his arms as he turned.

“Mommy!” Simone’s shrill voice cut through everyone else’s and Emilie snatched her out of Viggo’s arms, burying her face in her daughter’s soft hair and holding her tightly.

“Mummy missed you so much!” she whispered in her daughter’s ear. “Did you miss me?”

“Mommy sim!” Simone pointed to the pool and Emilie smiled.

“Mummy has to eat and then we’ll swim, okay?” She kissed her face four or five times, until Simone giggled and batted at her mouth to stop her.

“Let Mummy eat, yeah?” Viggo gently took his daughter back, pausing to peck Emilie’s cheek. “Good to see you, love.”

“You too.”

They were immediately handed plates and drinks, and Chains and Emilie sank into chairs under an umbrella-covered table. Introductions were made and Emilie had to hide her shock her mother was dating Ken Lerner, Karl’s biological father. She had a million questions, but there was no chance to talk to her mother privately right now. Everyone wanted to know where she’d been and what had happened and she knew before she could do anything else, she had to tell them. Everyone pulled up chairs, with Karl and Kate each holding one of their infant twins and Anya holding Simone. Chains was on Emilie’s left and he reached out to lazily rest his arm on the back of her chair. It was a subtle motion, but she knew Viggo and Dante zeroed in on it instantly, Dante’s eyes narrowing slightly and Viggo’s widening in surprise.

“My journey over the last six weeks has been…eventful,” Emilie said after she’d practically inhaled a cheeseburger and was now picking at a salad.

“We can see that,” Becca murmured, giving her a grin.

Emilie flushed, glancing at Chains, who merely winked. “Yes, well, that’s part of it.” She glanced around at her friends and family. “So before you all start gossiping, Chains and I are romantically involved. Try to be somewhat civilized when you pounce on him for details, gentlemen, after the ladies and I go inside.”

They laughed, and Joe reached over to slap Chains on the shoulder.

“So…” Emilie started at the beginning, retelling the story of Adam’s death, only leaving out a few of the more intimate details. She kept the specifics of the evening at Cuddy’s minimal as well, though she knew Becca and Kate would ask her about them at some point. She told them everything else, though, ending with their week in Greece. The only thing she left out was her pregnancy, and she could tell by the look on Jamie’s face he was disappointed, but that was private. He deserved to know before anyone else. Chains only knew because he’d been with her when she found out, but she would tell Jamie and Viggo tonight when everyone else had gone.

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