Page 159 of One Nightstand With My Ex's Uncle

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JOHN’S POV.

“Dahlia!” I heard Emily call, as I approached the door to her room, about to open it.

“What is… what is going on!? Who are you? Why are you with her phone? What just happened? Tell me.” Emily continued to ask.

“What!? The… the owner of the phone got into an accident? Ac… ac…how!?

“A careless rider hit her? Why? Why would that happen!? What the hell was such a rider doing on the road? What is happening right now? Where are you taking her to?

“Okay, okay, I’ll be there right now. I’ll be there!” She said, and I opened the door.

She skidded to a halt, almost running into me.

There were tear stains on her face, and she looked so scared that it thrilled me.

“Where are you going?”

“Dahlia just got into an accident. You remember Dahlia, right?” She asked, restlessly.

“I do. Has she been taken to the hospital?”

“They’re about to take her right now.

I need to go see…

“Why?”

“Why?” She asked, creasing her brows, impatiently.

“Is there any help you can give to her? If she dies, can you resurrect her? Can you treat her? Whatever the outcome will be wouldn’t change, even if you went crying to her.

Don’t take a step out of this house. It’s an order.

”

“What? How could you be so…?” She began, looking hurt.

“The doctor’s coming today. I need to know why you’re not pregnant yet.

We need to have kids, don’t you think?”

“Is that… is that all you can say? And you say you love me?” Her voice was hurt.

“Yes. I love you.” I replied, and closed the door, making my way out.

I took the car, and drove to a nearby café.

Walking in, I spotted Katie immediately.

She was dressed in a white blazer dress, and had dark sunglasses on.

She spotted me, and watched me as I approached her.

I sat in front of her, and she took off her dark sunglasses, placed them on the table, then she tucked her neck-length hair behind her ear.

“What did you have to say?” She asked, crossing her legs, and folding her arms.

“I’ll be brief.

Come back.”

“Come back?”

“Work for me. Emily could use the company too. I’m actually being generous to her because I planned on isolating her from everyone.

You know, with Lucas gone, she’s become really down.

I’ll only let you visit her when you agree to work for me.

There will be a higher pay, and you’ll have more power.

More people under your feet to control.”

“Why? The two goons you hired aren’t doing their jobs?

”

“Not that they’re not. You’re more experienced, and the clients; they love your smoothness.

Most of them keep asking for you. Some of them wouldn’t sign a deal, unless you talk them into it.

Come back, Katherine.”

“I’m working at a new firm.

Better pay, higher power. I’m not someone’s personal assistant.

I’ve got mine. John, I don’t want to have anything to do with you.

”

“Katie, don’t be so tough. That company can’t be better than mine.

” I said, and my phone rang. “Wait a sec.” I said, picking it up.

It was Dad.

“John.” He called softly.

“Yes?”

“Meet me at the river close to the house.” He said, and ended the call.

I sighed, “Think about it.” I said, dropping the contract on the table.

“I have to leave.”

Leaving the café, I got into my car, and went to the river Dad and I used to frequent in the past.

He was sitting there in a gray padded jacket, and loose pants, looking every bit like the commoner.

I took a seat next to him, and watched him fish.

“Remember back then when we’d come fishing.

”

“Did you call me here to reminisce about old times?” I asked, digging my hands into the pockets of my jacket.

“You never knew how to fish, and always lost fish. Then I’d catch a fish, and switch hooks, so you’d think you caught one yourself.

”

“Yeah.”

“I should never have done that.”

I scoffed.

“Maybe if I had taught you that losing was fine, maybe you’d have known when to back down.

Maybe if I’d taught you the value of doing things the right way, maybe you wouldn’t have thrown my brother away.

”

“Is this what this is about?”

“Bring Lucas back, John. Bring him back.” He said softly, pleading with his eyes.

“It’s out of my hands now.”

“Become a better man now, John. Learn how to let go, or you’ll be heading towards destruction.

Leave Emily, and stop torturing her. You’re not setting a good example for the kids.

”

“That’s not my job. They have parents, don’t they?

They should learn from them. Learning from me makes them stupid.

”

“John…”

“Dad. This is who I am, and I’m not trying to fight it.

Leave Lucas where he is. It suits me.” I replied, and walked away from him.

When I got home, I took a long shower, and bounced on my bed, thinking of my father’s words.

It was too late to turn back. I had passed the stopping line, and there was no stop for me.

I couldn’t go back to the starting line either.

With those thoughts in my head, I closed my eyes to sleep.

When I woke up, it was to a knock on my door.

I sat up, feeling a headache in my head, and sighed.

“Come in.” I instructed, and Landon came in.

“I’ve been trying to reach you all day.

” He said, and I looked at my phone, which was in the jacket I had abandoned.

“What’s the problem?” I asked, yawning.

He looked at me with a little uncertainty like he was deciding whether or not he was to tell me.

“I’m a busy man, you know, and you should walk right out that door if you’re not going to spit whatever it is you want to say right out of your mouth.

” I said impatiently.

Finally, he spoke, “Emily snuck out. We can’t find her. ”