Page 8

TRUTH COMES OUT

E MILY

The moment Jeremy walks into the apartment, I feel his eyes on me. Guilt surges again, and I don’t think I can do this. I need to find out what gave me away, but I can’t just ask him. I have to wait and see if he mentions it.

Luke darts over and grabs the bags of takeout from him. I do my best to act like usual, so I walk over and kiss him. He pins me to the wall and whispers in my ear, “We need to talk.”

“About what?” I ask, knowing that my secret won’t exist much longer. He locks eyes with me and stares.

“I think you know,” he replies, too low for Will or Luke to hear unless they’re actively trying to listen in. I can’t speak because of the lump in my throat. I nod, trying to hold off the terror I’m feeling. He wraps his hand around my arm and drags me toward his room.

I glance at Will and Luke, who are standing in the living room staring at us. The looks on their faces tell me that they aren’t sure if I need help or not. Honestly, I’m not sure if I need help or not. Jeremy shoves me into his bedroom and locks the door behind us.

“Jer, what’s going on?” Will calls from the other side of the door.

“Hey, man, let us in,” Luke insists.

Jeremy ignores them both and stalks toward me. Fury radiates off him in waves. I’m not sure how long he’ll be able to hold off his shift, or if I’ll survive when he does. Instinctually, I climb onto the bed and scoot toward the headboard.

“I have questions, and you’re going to answer them honestly. Understand?” he growls at me as he paces back and forth beside the bed. I nod, too terrified to do anything else. Logically, I know that I am physically capable of taking him down if I had to, but I love this man, and can’t imagine hurting him. I’ve accepted that if push came to shove, I would let him kill me instead of doing anything to defend myself against him.

“Was Will’s dad one of your subscribers?”

“No,” I whisper.

“Were you sleeping with him?”

“No.” Some of my terror falls away. This is absolutely not the line of questioning I expected when he cornered me. “Did you lock us in here so you could ask me if I’m fucking someone else?”

“I’m asking the questions here. Don’t forget that.” He continues to pace, barely even glancing at me. “Why were you at Dave’s house tonight?”

“What are you talking about? Why would you think I was there?” I try for indignation, but the best I can do is confusion. I seriously want to know but I’m still horrified at what his response could be.

Jeremy growls again, and his eyes flash yellow. I’ve never seen his wolf, but I’m certain he’s barely holding back his shift. “I know you were there. I could smell you.”

Fuck. I hadn’t expected that. I was stupid and completely forgot about his heightened wolf senses. Of course, he’d be able to smell me even in my shifted form.

“Jeremy, I can explain.” I pause and stare at him until he looks at me again. “You’re not going to like it, though.” I drop my head, fighting against the tears threatening to fall.

He stops mid-stride and stares back at me. “Well?”

“I should probably talk to all three of you at once,” I explain, standing up and heading for the door. “Then if you want me to leave and never come back, I will.” He steps out of my way so I can unlock the door and walk into the living room. I have to push past Will and Luke where they’re trying to listen in.

The three of them follow me, taking seats next to each other on the couch. I kill people for a living, and yet, something about these three men staring at me is so much more intimidating. Taking a deep breath, I thread my fingers together and try to decide the best way to explain everything. I stand in front of the men I love, hoping I’m not about to destroy everything we have.

“There are things about me that you don’t know. Please understand that I didn’t keep them from you to hurt you, or because I’m ashamed. I have to keep my secrets, because otherwise, I’ll go to jail or worse.” Each man’s expression is nearly identical. They’re shocked and confused.

“I can’t figure out an easy way to do this, so I’ll just rip the bandage off. My cam girl persona was only one secret I hid. The reason I stream is that I use it as a cover for my main job.” I can tell from changes in their expressions that now they’re considering if I could be an undercover cop. Boy are they about to be disappointed.

“I’m an assassin. I kill people for money. And I’m good at it; or at least I was, until tonight,” I pause as they start to sputter and try to ask questions. Holding up a hand, I continue, “I have a very strict code, and I only kill bad people. Specifically, I go after people involved in sex trafficking rings. These guys sell women and young girls to other people as sex slaves or worse, after kidnapping them from their lives and families.”

“What the actual fuck?” Will asks. Jeremy fists his hands in his hair. Only Luke waits for me to continue, as if he knows that isn’t the worst of it.

“There's more. I have proof for every single man I’ve killed that they were involved in sexual trafficking. I can show you, or I can send it all to the police. I’ll leave that up to you guys. But you need to know the rest so you can decide if you ever want to see me again.” I wait until they’re settled before continuing.

“Please understand, I never meant to hurt any of you. But I did. Luke, I killed your father. And yours, Will. It’s unforgivable, and I know that. I didn’t want you to find out like this. I’m so sorry. I won’t ask for forgiveness.” I watch shock and horror cross their faces. When no one speaks, I turn to leave.

I don’t know why I thought, even for a moment, that our relationship could survive this. What I’ve done is too horrific, too heartless, to ever warrant forgiveness. I walk out the door, not bothering to grab my shoes, wondering if they’ll turn me in. Trudging slowly down the stairs, I consider my options.

I can stay and take my chances, or I can leave and start over somewhere else. I don’t know what to do. I trust Jeremy, Luke, and Will with my life. I don’t think they’d call the cops on me, but I can’t assume that. It’s not fair for me to ask them not to, either.

I lock myself in my apartment for the next two days. I spend my time in bed, in the shower, or where I am right now. Which is lying on the floor in the sparse living room staring at the ceiling, trying to decide if I should get furniture or pack what little I own, when a soft knock catches my attention. I reach out with my powers and find Will at my door.

Curiosity gets the better of me, and I open it. “Hi,” he says shyly. It seems out of character, because usually Will is flirty and happy. I don’t like seeing him upset. “Can I come in?”

I nod and open the door wider to let him inside. There’s no one else in the hall, and I’m not exactly sure what this is all about. I didn’t expect any of them to want to see me again after our last conversation.

“Look, I know that telling us your secret was hard. Thank you for trusting us. We’re not gonna turn you in or anything. I’ve spent the last two days thinking about everything you said. Have you been following the news?” He gently grabs my hand and drags me toward my room.

We sit on the edge of the bed, but he doesn’t let my hand go. “I haven’t paid attention to much the past couple of days. Why?”

Will pulls out his phone and hits play on a video. A man is handcuffed and being walked into the police station with tons of paparazzi snapping pictures while people shout questions at him. The headline reads “Local Man Arrested in Connection with Sex Trafficking Ring.”

“What is this?” I look at Will and he gives me a small smile.

“After our talk the other night, Jeremy went to see his dad. He didn’t call first and caught his dad in the act. He stole a laptop from the house and turned him in. It looks like Lloyd Franklin was the head of the ring.” Will pauses, staring into my eyes. “I can’t say it makes me happy to know what you did, but I understand why you did it. Why you do it, I should say. And it won’t be easy, but I’d really like another chance with you.”

“Wait, what? I told you that I killed your dad, and you’re asking me to give you another chance? Come on, Will, this is ridiculous. How can you ever want to be around me after what I’ve done?” Before he can answer, my bedroom door swings open. I jump, starting to freak out, until I realize that Jeremy and Luke let themselves in.

“Sorry, Em. We knocked, but you didn’t answer. And the door was unlocked. We followed the voices,” Luke says before I can respond to the surprise intrusion.

I feel tears streaming down my face. I’ve missed these three so much the past couple of days. But do they agree with Will? Can this really work out?

“Em, I know how hard this has been for you. I won’t lie and say it isn’t hard for us too, because knowing that the woman we love is an assassin; well, that’s a lot to process. But we love you, Em. That doesn’t just go away because you kept a secret from us.” Jeremy’s statement catches me off guard. I don’t expect this kind of support from any of them.

Luke stands in front of me, taking my face in his hands. “I have to know something, though.” He locks his eyes with mine and I know I’ll answer any question he wants to ask, no matter how painful.

“Anything,” I whisper.

“Why did you think you couldn’t just tell us? I had no idea my dad was involved in all that. I’d have been the first one to turn him in if I had even suspected it. We do not condone the actions of our fathers. You have to know that,” he says, pressing a kiss to my forehead.

“I didn’t know how to tell you. Part of me thought I was protecting you; the rest was protecting me. I had no idea if you guys would turn me in or not. And honestly, I’m pretty good at what I do. It took someone familiar with my scent to figure me out,” I respond.

“That’s kind of what we figured. You have to promise us that you won’t keep any more secrets. That’s the only way this will actually work,” Luke insists. I nod.

“I do have one more thing that I should tell you. Or maybe it’s better if I show you,” I say, standing up and stepping away from the three of them.

“More secrets?” Jeremy asks. Frustration is written all over his face.

“I like to think of it as more of an omission,” I reply. He cocks an eyebrow at me, letting me know that he’ll be the judge of that when he sees what I’m talking about. “This is something that no one knows about me. I’ve wanted to show you guys so many times, but I was scared.”

Three sets of eyes stare at me as I stretch my hands out to my sides. Using my power, I turn the bedside lamp on. Then I shift into my pixelated form and float around the room.

“Where’d she go?” Luke asks.

“I’m right here,” I answer, my voice a little distorted in this form.

“Wait, you turn invisible?” The awe in Will’s question nearly floors me.

“Not exactly. I shift into pixels and can travel through computers and internet lines,” I answer.

“I have to admit, that is not the secret I expected. Though it does explain why I didn’t see you at Dave’s,” Jeremy says.

“We were face to face for a minute, and I thought somehow you’d seen me,” I explain, floating near his ear. I move away from them again and shift back. “That’s it. I have no other secrets.”

“What about your childhood? You won’t talk about it when we ask. Is that a secret, or just because of the trauma?” Luke asks. He sounds more curious than upset.

I take a deep breath. “It’s not something I enjoy talking about. But you’re right. You deserve the whole story.” I spend the next hour explaining about my parents and answering questions about my past and my abilities.

“Wait, you can check our phones without even touching them?” Jeremy asks, his eyes going wide.

“I can, but that doesn’t mean I do. The only thing I’ve done is check to see where you are. Well, except for making sure you three weren’t involved in the trafficking ring, and using Will’s to get a link to his father. I’m sorry about that, too. I don’t know how you guys could possibly forgive me for what I’ve done,” I insist.

“I can’t guarantee it’s gonna be easy, but understanding why you did it helps. I’m mortified by what my father did,” Luke responds.

Will stares at me for a minute. “I wasn’t as close with my dad as we all were with Luke’s. That doesn’t mean I won’t struggle sometimes with the idea that you took his life. And it’s not like we’re gonna tell my mom that’s what happened.”

“I’m not so sure she’d be too upset by it, honestly,” I mutter.

“What do you mean?” he asks.

“I think she’s saying your mom was one of your dad’s victims,” Jeremy answers for me. I nod, wishing I didn’t have to share this with them.

“Wow. That’s rough. I’m glad they’re letting her keep her bank accounts, then. They seized his when the evidence turned up. I guess they investigated Mom and me, because they called and said that our funds wouldn’t be taken.” Relief washes over me. That means they weren’t able to trace the money I transferred from Dave to Will and his mom. I know that I told them I wouldn’t keep any more secrets, but this one will go to my grave with me.

“I’m willing to try making this work with you guys. I can’t promise that I won’t take other jobs. I won’t promise not to hide my darkness anymore, but I will try to be more open about everything. You three are the only ones who know what I really do for a living, and you’re the only ones I’ve ever told about my abilities. That’s a level of trust that I’ve never had before. It’s terrifying.” Admitting how I feel is nearly as scary as the feelings themselves.

“But you do trust us, and that’s the important part,” Jeremy says, taking my hands. I let him pull me into his arms.

“I do. But what happens when the police look into these murders more? Now that you guys know, how will you be able to keep my secrets?” I can’t stop myself from asking the questions, but I’m not sure I want the answers.

“The three of us have already met with the police and given our statements. We’ve all been cleared of any suspicion. The fact that we had no knowledge about our fathers’ enterprises until the cops showed us their records helped with that.” Jeremy’s words echo in my head.

Will steps up beside us, wrapping his arms around me as well. “That’s the only reason we gave you so much time alone. We needed to make sure they wouldn’t be coming around again for anything. With us cleared, there’s no reason for the police to investigate anyone connected to us further.”

“You guys let me think that you never wanted to see me again because you were protecting me?” I’m shocked by Will’s confession. It’s more than I ever deserved; to be protected by them. And the torture was the least I could suffer for what I’ve done.

“Those were the hardest two days we’ve ever spent. There were so many moments when we wanted to call or text, or even race down here and hold you. But we had to be sure that there was nothing to connect you to the investigations,” Luke explains.

I’m floored by the way these three have gone above and beyond any expectations I had. They made sure I wouldn’t even be questioned by the police. Since we’re involved, I’d expected to get a call and be dragged down to the precinct to answer questions at least, even if they didn’t suspect me.

“I’m beginning to think you guys are as messed up as I am,” I laugh.

“Maybe we are. Or maybe we’re just in love with you and don’t want to lose you. Either way, you’re safe now.” Tonight is the first time Jeremy has said anything about his feelings for me. I’m not sure how to react, even though Will has told me before that the three of them are in love with me.

“How can you be sure?” I ask.

“That we love you? That’s an impossible question. But I get it; it wasn’t fair for me to say it that way,” Jeremy says, hugging me tighter. He eases me back to look into my eyes. “I love you, Em.”

“I love you, Jer.” I get a little dizzy when he spins me toward Luke. “I love you, too, Luke.”

“And I’ve loved you for a long time, Em. I’m glad you’re willing to work through this with us.” He presses a kiss to my lips, gentle and chaste.

I look at Will, but he shrugs. “They already know I told you. But I’ll say it again. I love you, sugarplum.” My heart jumps at the pet name being used in front of the other guys.

“I love you, Will,” I whisper back before he captures my lips with his for a quick kiss.

I understand this won’t be easy, but I’m thrilled that they still want me. “How are we going to deal with everything, though?” I should leave it alone, but I can’t.

Jeremy lets me go and paces for a minute. “I don’t have to go to my father’s trial. I’d rather not have people thinking I agree with the things he’s done anyway.”

“The trial is likely to be pretty embarrassing for your family,” I say, realizing that the idea forming in my head is not a good one.

“There’s nothing we can do about that,” he replies, fisting his hands in his hair.

“There’s nothing you can do about it. But there may just be something I can do,” I offer, leaving the thought unfinished.

“Are you saying what I think you’re saying?” Will sounds way too excited.

“Of course, she is,” Luke answers before I have a chance. Jeremy looks at him, dumbfounded. “Em is trying to tell you that she can take him out. Then no one has to know all the sick details of the things our dads did.”

It seems like both Luke and Will are all for my idea, but Jeremy covers his face with his hands. I shouldn’t have offered. This is sick and twisted. I can’t just kill someone to save his son from embarrassment. The idea is ridiculous. I open my mouth to apologize to Jeremy for even having the thought, but he holds up a hand and stops me.

“I want you to do it.”

“What?” I ask, my jaw dropping. Even for the split second where I thought it was a good idea, I never thought he’d agree.

“You offered to kill my dad to keep his case from going to court. I want you to do it. Not for me. To protect my mom, Luke’s mom, and Will’s mom. There’s no reason for any of them to go through that embarrassment. Make it look like he killed himself. Make him pick a fight with a guard so they kill him. I don’t care. I just want this to end before anyone else gets hurt.” When he’s done talking, Jeremy walks over to the window and stares out into the darkness. How long have we been discussing this? Did I lay on the floor all day today?

I shake my head, already knowing the answer to both questions. “If you’re sure that’s what you want, I’ll do it. But after, I’m going to take a break from work, and we’re all going to spend some time together.”

“Agreed,” Jeremy says easily. Will walks over and wraps an arm around him. “We should go home so Em can take care of this.”

“Before you go, I might need some help. I can’t just appear there without a connection. You’re going to have to go talk to your dad, so I can get in.” I wince at his reaction.

“What? I don’t want to talk to him.”

“It’s the only way she can get to him, Jer. Remember, she said that she used my phone to connect to my dad,” Will explains quietly. I’m glad he listened, but at the same time, I hate that I had to do that at all. “Luke or I can go, if you don’t want to,” he offers.

“Shit—I can’t ask you guys to do that. Okay, I’ll do it. Can we do it today, or will it have to be tomorrow?” Jeremy seems anxious to get this over with. “And will you guys go with me?”

“Of course, we will, whenever we need to do,” Luke insists. I’m glad that he won’t have to face his father alone. Guilt ebbs at having to put him through this. At least the other two had no idea that I was targeting their fathers.

I remind myself that Jeremy made this decision on his own. It’s what he wants to happen. I’m not forcing this on him. That eases some of my guilt at how much I know I’ll enjoy killing this bastard. I have to figure out how to make it look like suicide, though.

“I think first thing tomorrow would be better. It’ll give me a chance to work out exactly how to do it, since you want it to look like he killed himself.”

Jeremy’s eyes meet mine. “That part isn’t too important. I doubt the life insurance will pay anyway, given what he’s done and how they seized his accounts.”

“Okay, but I still have to protect my secret. I can’t just pop in and murder a man inside the police station without planning. I have to be careful so they don’t catch me.” I consider my words carefully, because I don’t want to upset him any more than he already is, but I need him to understand the amount of planning that goes into these missions. “I usually have at least two days to plan a hit; ideally a week. I’m not asking for that. I just need tonight to figure it all out. Can you handle that?” I pause for a moment, then continue. “I didn’t have that time to plan for Will’s dad. I know that’s why you caught me.”

I’m not sure what I’ll do if he says no. I hold my breath while he considers what I’ve said. Just when I think he’s going to argue, he nods. “I understand. Your safety is more important than getting this done tonight. Just let me know when you’re ready to go tomorrow, and we’ll do it.”

I release my breath, relieved that he agreed so easily. Now I just have to break into a police station filled with cops and kill a man who’s locked up. Easy peasy, right? Fuck me. How do I get myself into these situations?

As soon as the guys head upstairs, I hear a knock at my door. Great, what now? I look through the peep hole, but no one is there. Opening the door, I glance up and down the hallway, but it’s empty. I close the door and turn around, running right into Brynn.

“What the fuck?” I ask, shoving the fae away. “You scared me! How do you keep getting into my apartment without being seen?”

“I can’t tell you that, love, or I’ll have to kill you. A fae has to have some secrets, don’t ya know?” they say in a sing-songy voice.

“You are the most frustrating person I’ve ever dealt with. What do you want?” I growl. “I have a murder to plan, and I don’t need you giving me another mission right now.” I shouldn’t take my anger out on them, but I can’t help it. I’m annoyed at the interruption.

“That’s exactly why I’m here, love. We want you to take Franklin out so he has no chance of getting away. Since I heard that’s what his son wants, too, I’m certain that you’ll take this job,” Brynn says with a smile.

“So, I can add spying on me to the list of things you’ve done to piss me off?” I answer, understanding that I don’t have to accept or refuse the job. They know I’m going to do it regardless, so there’s no reason to argue.

“If you must. Just know that we’re always watching. And listening. If you ever need me, all you have to do is say my name. I’ll hear you and come to help,” they offer.

I laugh at the craziness of all of this. My life is comical, and there’s nothing I would change about it. “After this job, I’m taking a vacation. Do you understand?”

Brynn laughs, and it’s a melodic sound that reminds me of bells tinkling. “Of course, love. We’ll still be watching, but you can take a trip. There’s a lovely island that’s secluded and would make for a wonderful sexcapade, if you’re interested.”

“Get out. I mean it. Go. Now. I have to plan this out, and I can’t have you distracting me,” I shove the fae toward the door. When they disappear in a pink cloud, I fall forward, catching myself against the door. Well, that explains how they keep getting into my apartment without being seen. I hadn’t expected similar abilities to mine, but it’s good to know what I’m dealing with.