Page 19 of Emily's Essence

She looked around and then back. “I didn’t know.”

“Why do you have to know?”

She inhaled. “You’re right. May I ask you a question?”

“If you hurry,” Hawk said.

“Have I done anything to make you mad?” she asked.

“No.”

“Then why do you seem angry with me?”

“Not everything is about you,” Hawk growled.

Emily took a step back. “Yes, you’re right. Will I ever see you again?”

“I don’t have time for this.”

“Okay. Thank you again for your help. I hope you stay safe.” She turned without letting him talk and waved at the other guys. “Bye, guys. Take care and stay safe.”

All seven of them commented and waved.

Without looking back, she walked into the house and up the stairs. She let the tears come when her bedroom door was closed and locked behind her. She couldn’t remember hurting this badly before in her life. The fact that she felt this depth of emotion told her she cared more deeply for Hawk than she first thought.

Emily sat down on the side of the bed and pressed her face into her hands. She let her tears flow until there were none left.

She had to remind herself that her life was better than it had ever been. She had a great, safe place to live and friends she cherished for the first time in her life. There was nothing else she could ask for. If she’d let her feelings for Hawk get out of control, it was on her. Hell, maybe her feelings were just because he’d saved her? She liked that idea. She’d think about that when she started to get sad.

Emily walked into the bathroom down the hall and washed her face with cold water before going back down the stairs to finish folding the towels.

“Hey,” Willow said and wrapped an arm around her waist. “What’s up?”

Emily sighed. “Hawk left, and he wasn’t going to say goodbye. When I went out, he was very harsh with me. I probably won’t ever see him again.”

“You haven’t heard?” Willow asked.

Emily set down the towel and looked at Willow. “Heard what?”

“The Nomads are going to live here. They’ll have their own house and own businesses, but they’ll be like a subdivision of the Vipers. They’ll still be called the Nomads.”

Emily felt both nauseous that she’d have to put up with Hawk’s aggression and happiness that she’d see him again. God, it was all so confusing.

“Guys are assholes. The grouchier they get is nine times out of ten because they feel too much. I guarantee Hawk cares about you but is running scared. What pussies.”

Emily smiled. “They’re assholes and pussies?”

“Fuck, yeah.”

“Babe, I heard that.”

Emily stiffened. Willow’s man was a bit crazy and scared the shit out of her.

Willow glared over her shoulder at him. “I don’t fucking care. It’s the truth.”

Blood growled as he stalked toward them. Emily tried to move away, but Willow tightened her grip.

Blood stopped and stared at her with his hand on his hips. “That’s bullshit.”

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