Page 57 of Going Home

The comment fuels a fire she hadn't realized simmered below the surface, and she pushes herself back. "Because she's always had to be."

"She can handle whatever life throws at her."

"You know, don't you?"

He breaks eye contact. "I can't talk about it."

"That's what she said. What's going on, Nash? What has our baby so stressed?"

"I can't say."

Sliding out of bed, she slips on her robe. "Can't? Or won't?"

"Both," he says and sighs, rolling onto his back and resting an arm over his eyes.

"It has to do with Zane, doesn't it?"

Another loud sigh escapes from between his lips. "I can't say anything, Em."

"I can't marry you."

Sitting up, he stares at her. "What?"

"I love you so much, Nash. Pretty sure I have since the moment I met you, but you always put your son before our daughter. She's dying inside, and you know what it is. You could help her, but you won't. I can't accept that anymore."

"You don't know what's going on—"

"I want to!" she cries. "I made a promise to Margaret that I would take care of both of her men, but he won't let me. And you never tried to help him understand. You enabled him to treat not only me but his sister terribly. Now, you know what's happening with our daughter, and because of your loyalty to your son over our daughter, you won't let me help her. You know as well as I do that our girl never asks for help. Not until she's broken, and this club, not to mention you and your son, have broken her too many times already. Someone has to finally put Lex first, and you never will."

He runs his hand over his face. "What exactly do you want me to do, Em?"

"Let me in so I can help. She needs help, Nash. Don't you see her? She's drowning, and you saying she can handle anything and is tough as nails just reinforces how terribly everyone has treated her throughout her entire life."

"I haven't treated her terribly!"

Crossing her arms, Emma glares at him. "You have always picked Zane over her. You turn a blind eye when he hurts her. If you do happen to witness it and actually step in, you've never reprimanded him to the point he stops. You've chosen him and the club over her. No wonder she let Colt break her. It's what the man who should have protected her did to her."

"That's not fair," he says. "Our situation is anything but normal, Emma. And I can't say anything. Just like Lex can't."

"Bullshit."

His cellphone rings and interrupts them. He reaches it for it, but she grabs his arm. "Em—"

"Don't you dare."

"It's midnight, and it's Margaret calling. I can't ignore my granddaughter's call."

Accepting this, she releases his wrist and steps back. Her daughter's in pain and trouble, and her father can help fix it. He could let Emma in, but he won't tell her. Won't give her the opportunity to step in, if nothing else but to be there for Lex.

"Margaret, calm down... I'll be right there, sweetheart... I'm leaving right now."

Nash jumps up and dresses quickly. Emma looks at him with concern. "What's wrong?"

"Something with Zane. I gotta get over there."

"I'll change and come with you."

His large hand comes up in the air to halt her. "No, it's better if you stay here."

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