Page 99 of Pretty Little Fears

NowonderJamesgot away with all of the sick twisted things he did.

Emmettcomes back and informs me that we’re being driven by a trusted family driver to a private landing.Whenthe words register that he said private landing, and we’d be taking a private jet back toNewYork, my jaw drops.Attemptingto protest on the cost alone, he simply grabs my face and slams his lips to mine, effectively shutting me up.Betweenkisses he mumbles against my lips, “Iwanted you to have as much privacy as possible,Blair.”

Ican’t argue with that.Honestly,Idon’t want to.It’llbe nice not having to worry about other people.Noddingagainst his lips,Ipull away with a soft smile asIcontinue packing.

Oncemy bags are packed, he leads me outside where a sleek, black car is waiting for us.Hepicks up my luggage and walks over to the trunk and tosses it inside next to what must be his bags.Ilook back at the door of my college home and seeAspenandVerenastanding there.Theyboth offer me small smiles andIsee tears dripping fromAspen'seyes.Ihate to see her cry butIcan’t be strong for her whenI’mstruggling to remain strong for myself.

Ioffer the girls a small wave that they return and make my way inside of the car.Islide into the backseat and click my seatbelt in before resting my head back against the seat.

Ihear the other door open andEmmettslides in before shutting the door.Myseatbelt unclicks causing my head to lift off the seat as his hands grab my hips, moving me directly onto his lap.Idon’t even get the chance to protest as he pulls his seatbelt over us both and clicks it in place.

Asmall smile forms on my face at him sticking true to his word.Hewraps his arms around my front and holds me tightly while his chin rests on my shoulder.Withhis heart beating against my back,Ilook out the window as we head to the private airport.

It’sa short drive to the jet and we quickly get settled in.Oncethe plane takes off, anxiety fills my body.Mybruises have faded but some still remain, strategically hidden.Theinfected lacerations on my back have healed decently over time, butIfeel like all of my scars and wounds are plastered on my forehead, on display for everyone to see.Shakingoff my paranoia,Itake deep breaths and try to get some rest on the plane before seeing my mom.

Thejet landsand there’s yet another black car waiting for us.Ourbaggage is transferred and once we are seated and strapped in, we’re making our way to my home.JustknowingI’mback inNewYork, far away from the demons ofBlackwood, my mind relaxes.

Wearrive at my family home and my mom is already standing outside at the doorstep.Shehas a huge smile plastered on her face.WhenItold herIwas coming home, she was extremely excited and questioned what caused such an urgent and impromptu visit.Itried to play it off with wanting to introduce her toEmmett, which was like opening up a whole other can of worms.

I’venever spared my mother the details of my romantic relationships prior toEmmett, if they can even be called that.ButsharingEmmettwith her just felt right.

Westep out of the car and mom is frantically waving, running down the driveway.Theheavy reality of whatI’vebeen through aches in my chest, especially whenI’mnot in a state to rehash it with my mother.I’mnot the same girl she sent off to school all those months ago.I’vebeen broken down and need tofigure out how to build myself back up.Intowhat,I’mnot too sure about.

Emmettgrabs our bags and follows me up the driveway.Mymother greets me with a long, warm hug.Wesway back and forth for a moment before she pulls away, cupping my cheeks. “Imissed you.”Shesmiles warmly before glancing behind me and craning her neck to greet him.

“Niceto meet you,Mrs.Stirling,I’mEmmettBlackwood.”Hesays with a charming and charismatic grin.Hisdimples make an appearance, causing butterflies to form in my stomachandbetween my thighs.Mymother flashes her best smile, seemingly impressed with his demeanor.He’sconfident - and a little cocky - but doesn’t overdo it.Whenhe’s speaking to you, you feel as if you and him are the only two people to exist in the universe.

“Welcome,Emmett.It’sso nice to meet you.Comeon, let’s go inside.Ijust finished cooking breakfast.”Sheresponds, leading the way.

Walkingthrough the door, the smell of coffee fills the house, the earthy scent is the epitome of home.IdirectEmmettto my bedroom so he can drop off our bags and follow my mother to the kitchen.Shemade us an assortment of foods.Whata way to say welcome home.Eggs, toast, pancakes, bacon, sausages, and fruits are arranged on the countertop.Myheart swells andIknow coming home was the right decision.

Mymother andEmmetthit it off during breakfast.Thereisn’t a single moment of awkward silence and it’s heartwarming to see them both smiling so much.

“Alright,I’llclean this all up.Youguys can go get some rest,I’msure your morning at the airport was hectic.”Momsays, standing and gathering the dishes.Emmettgets up and helps her transport everything to the kitchen, then motions for me to follow him to my room.

Emmettstrips out of his clothes until he’s in nothing but his boxers and climbs into my childhood bed.Alittle smile grows on my face at the sight of him under my pale pink comforter.Hegives me a big grin and pats the spot next to him, “Comehere, baby.”

Pullingoff my clothes from the day,Ipull on a baggy shirt and sweatpants before crawling into bed, nestling against his body.

Hisarms tighten around me and he places a kiss to the crown of my head before he starts to rub soothing circles on my back.Withmy head against his chest,Ilet out a content sigh.

Afterthe long day of traveling, sleep comes easily for me.Iclose my eyes and focus on the steady beating of the heart underneath me.

Thump.Thump.

Thesound is soothing.

Thump.Thump.

Ihope this sleep is peaceful, void of the monsters that seem to occupy my mind now.

ThumpThump

Ican't help but allow the consistent beat to pull me into slumber.

Theslam of a door startles me from my sleep.Ijerk upright in bed and whenIplace my hands down on the mattress to lift myself up, a wet and sticky substance clings to my fingers.Myheart starts thundering in my chest asIslowly lift my handfrom the liquid coating my fingers and angle my head to look down.

Blood.Thereis blood everywhere.It'scovering my bed, my clothes, my skin.Withtrembling fingersItouch my body, attempting to find the source.Ifreeze whenIhear a whisper from the corner of my room. “Why?”

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