Page 54 of Hurt Me Not
There was no protection against someone crazy and obsessed enough with you that they would stop at nothing until you were theirs. I’d learned that the hard way.
He tried to take out anyone who even got remotely close to me. Classmates who smiled at me. Someone who sat next to me for what he saw as too long. But no one connected the dots—not even me—until… Well, until he tried to kill me.
That was why it was so hard for me to accept Emerson seeing me in the shadows and wanting to bring me to the light. She didn't know there had been someone just like her but with far worse intentions.
“Pearl? Hello? Are you okay?”
I jumped when Leslie's voice broke through my musing. I hadn't realized she had stopped the car and was waiting for me to get out.
“Oh my gosh, I'm so sorry. I'm just so tired and?—”
“It's fine, girl,” she said as she patted my arm. “Trust me, I've been there. Just go ahead and get some rest tonight, okay?”
I nodded, and with a weak goodbye, I left her car.
This was my first time arriving without Emerson and not going straight up from the parking garage, so I thought the guy in the lobby would want to know who I was and probably want to see my ID before allowing me in. Instead, he greeted me witha “Good evening, Ms. Meadows,” and offered me a smile along with a key that I supposed was to Emerson’s penthouse.
Maybe Emerson got me on an approved visitor list or something?It was such a small gesture, but it warmed my heart.
On my way up in the elevator, I decided I was going to tell Emerson everything tonight. More than my fear of revisiting the past, she needed to know. Otherwise, we could both be in grave danger.
I unlocked the door using the key and showed myself in. That was when I realized that the house wasn't empty.
Everything was the same as when I left it. The sunset was shining through the windows, giving me a beautiful look at the city.
But on the couch was Emerson. And she wasn't alone.
Both of them turned to look at me. I held in a gasp as I took in her guest. A handsome woman with messy short hair, piercings on her lip and ears, and tattoos covering her arms, chest, and neck.
I couldn’t help the prick of jealousy that ran through me.
“Is there anything else you need from me?” Emerson asked the girl, and she met her with a sly smile, her eyes shining with a mischievous light.
“Is someone finally off the market?” she teased. “She's cute! Better than all those other girls hanging off you in the club.”
And just like that, all my thoughts about telling Emerson about my past blew up into thin air.
Hurt cracked my chest open, and I had trouble keeping the frown from my face.
Other girls.Made-up images of Emerson with imaginary girls feeling her up and fucking her had volatile emotions swirling up inside me
I knew it was a stupid reaction given that Emerson was a free woman before we signed our contract, but it hurt me because this entire time… all I had been thinking about was her.
“Stop being annoying and get out of here,” she said, practically pulling the woman up.
“Alright, alright.” She chuckled and then paused as she passed me. “The name’s Jax. What is—” Her eyes widened before a smirk spread across her face. My face heated. She was teasing me without even saying anything. “Oh! I know you. Emerson bought you at the auction.”
I gasped and covered my mouth. My eyes shot to Emerson. It felt like rubbing salt into a wound.
“You told her?”
“She didn’t have to, I saw it!” she replied, standing with her hands on her hips. “I got myself a pretty little thing that night as well. But unlike yourarrangementhere, mine’s still fighting me. I just wish she’d come around. I mean, I already ate her pus?—”
“We’re done. Get out of here,” Emerson said with a huff and pushed her out the door.
“It was nice to meet you! Like I said, I'm Jax. I have a security company if you need any?—”
Emerson slammed the door in her face and turned to look down at me with an unreadable expression.
