Page 52 of Emeric

“Now’s not the time,” I told my mom. Although I bet she knew something was wrong.

“I can’t tell if it’s Sylvan or Emeric. It’s not you or Sheldon.”

“Emeric. I’m on my way to him.”

“You’ve got your talisman on?”

Around my neck on a dark brown leather cord was a metal paw print. It wasn’t long and sat below my throat. Enough to be hidden by a shirt, but would also peek out depending on what I was doing. I’d had it for as long as I could remember. My mom gave it to me and said it would protect me. After many years of witnessing what she could do and having her visions come to fruition, I trusted her when she said I needed to have something on me.

“I never take it off.”

“He’s not one to accept help often, is he?”

“Not from what I’ve learned so far. He likes to be in control.”

“I’ll leave that between the three of you.”

I groaned at her effort to lift the mood. “Come on. That’s not right.” At least she was able to get my mind off what could be going on with Emeric for a moment. Sheldon only said so much over text. If it were life or death, he would have told me.

My mom laughed. “Love you. Be careful.”

“Love you too.”

I ended the call. I’d have to fill her in after everything calmed down.

Somehow, the road in front of me stretched longer, making it seem like I’d never get into the city. I had this route down to memory. Every curve in the road, every stop sign, it was all stored in my mind. Yet, the drive felt like it took forever until I pulled up to the East Dremest Luxury Hotel & Spa.

A valet was there to take my keys, which I left in the car as I rushed past. There was no time for me to park in the garage. “Just don’t scratch it!” I called.

The woman at the front desk called to me as I walked toward the elevators. She knew my name—Emeric said they all did—so she’d be aware of where I was going. All of Jordan’s trusted guards had the code to get into Emeric’s private conference room, which was where I headed.

There was no knocking when I reached the door. I punched in the code as my heart pounded in my chest, not sure what I’d hear on the other side. Sheldon said Emeric wasn’t harmed, so I wouldn’t find him injured. That only comforted me a little. There was an issue, and I needed to be here for it. Then I’d shove Emeric into my car and drive us back to Sylvan so the three of us could be together, like we belonged, where we were safe in Sylvan’s house.

As soon as the lock disengaged, I shoved the door open, my eyes scanning the room until they latched on to Emeric. Jordan was there, but I ignored him. It probably wasn’t the smartest move. I had to get to Emeric to make sure he was okay.

He met me halfway around the table. “Ollie, I’m fine.” That was all he got out as my eyes raked him over from head to toe, then brought him into my arms. That was when I realized I was holding my breath. It puffed out of me in a rush, grateful to have him touching me. His arms were around me, holding me close. “I’m good. I promise.”

“Something happened.”

“It did, but we can talk after.”

“Oleander,” Jordan said in his hard, firm voice. I stepped back from Emeric but stayed at his side. “I’d like to finish my conversation with Emeric before you maul him.”

“Why didn’t you call me? You knew I’d want to be here.” The words left me without a thought. This was about more than my job, and since I was off the clock and not guarding Vail or Jordan, I wanted to understand why he hadn’t contacted me.

Jordan’s jaw ticked. “First, don’t ever question what I do or don’t do. Second, this has nothing to do with you. Here I was thinking I’d let you kill the person we’re after, but now, I don’t fucking think so.”

“I get punished for wanting to hear what the fuck is going on? If this were an issue with Vail or Hartley, no one would be able to stop you.”

“Yet, it isn’t,” he seethed. “This is about Emeric and me because I made it my business. He works for me, as do you. Sit down, shut up, and let me finish my fucking conversation.”

“Jordan…” Emeric warned.

“I have every right to be here and ask questions,” I said. Screw Jordan and his need to take over. I should be allowed to talk too. “I want to protect him as much as you do. I have a right to, given who he is to me.”

“Ollie,” Emeric said, his hand grabbing mine and squeezing it tightly. “Enough.”

“No, fuck that. I should have been called from the start when they learned there was something going on.” That they didn’t reach out said a lot. I wasn’t angry at Sheldon. He wouldn’t be able to contact me unless Jordan told him to. Jordan could have sent me a text or told one of his guards to call me. Emeric would have wanted to handle this himself, probably thinking whatever it was wasn’t a big deal. He wouldn’t have reached out. I was barely hanging on, my hand squeezing Emeric’s hard.