Page 110 of Only for Love

CHAPTER FORTY-THREE

Grayson

It started as three of us versus them. We could have handled it. Then the rest of the team showed up and quickly ended the brawl. Ryan’s badge was surprisingly helpful, but when all was said and done, he and I weren’t on the team that was going to wrap up this job. I was on a trial run for a job I’m now never going to get, and he didn’t need to be in the mix.

Delta goes off to do whatever Delta does behind the scenes, and I head toward a table where Javier and Ryder have safely stowed Emma. Emerald’s is chaotic. People are evacuating—men running for their cars, strippers running for their clothes. The place is wild, and my girl’s upset and being calmed by two guys I don’t know. I’m grateful they’re here, but enough of that.

I hop over a railing, and when she sees me coming toward her, Emma’s face lights up.Damn.Man, that reaction does something to me deep inside. Forgetting about the two men standing guard beside her, I scoop her into my arms, pressing her head to my chest. I need to feel her and hear her voice to know she’s alright.

“You’re good, pretty mama?”

She nods. Then she sniffles.

God—not okay. Of course, she’s not okay. I don’t know specifics on why she thought she was in trouble earlier, but if it has anything to do with why Delta is here, I’m going to shred whoever scared her.

Stroking her hair, I drop my chin to the top of her head and eye the guys. “We’re good. Thanks.”

Ryder angles his head toward where the team disappeared. “Brock’s gonna want to talk to her.”

I nod. “Later.”

Emma pulls back and turns to both men, smiling weakly. “Thank you for… that.”

Javier nods, gives her a fist bump to the shoulder, and walks away.

Ryder crosses his arms over his chest. “Shitty circumstances, darlin’, but we were serious. Nice to meet you.”

“Thanks.” She relaxes against me again, but her fingers touch the side of my face, where I’m sure a bruise or two is forming. “That fight sounded like it hurt.”

My lip pulls into a half grin, and I laugh quietly. “Didn’t think about it, I guess.”

She shifts, and her fingers tangle with mine. “Your knuckles are bleeding.”

“Shit. Sorry.” I wipe them on my pants. “Fixed.”

“Tough guy.” But she genuinely smiles this time.

Across the room, Ryan is talking with a few cops. They look buddy-buddy, but then his gaze lands on me and slides to Emma. He shakes hands with the men and heads our way. “I take it Ryan didn’t know, either.”

“No,” she whispers.

“He’s ten feet away and gaining.”

Emma groans. “Oh, God. This is going to—”

“Emma.” Ryan’s voice is low with concern. “Can we talk?”

“—suck.” She slumps against me.

I hang onto her, catching his eye. He’d better watch his ass on this conversation. If I can deal with this, so can he.

“Ems?” I squeeze her.

She doesn’t turn toward him. “Everyone’s going to be so disappointed.”

“No one’s disappointed.” I say it for her benefit, but loudly enough that Ryan could hear. So help me God, if he says anything to make this worse for her, the truce we have will be called off in a heartbeat.

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