Page 41 of Renascence

“Don’t worry. You’re safe.”

“Am I?” Her voice is soft as she turns to face me. I know we’re not talking about snakes anymore.

I stroke her cheek but otherwise keep some distance between us. “You are. I’m not James, Emily.”

“I know. How’d it go today?” She raises both brows, twisting her hands.

I grab the envelope from the table, handing it to her. She slowly removes the papers, eyes going wide.

“He signed it?”

“Of course he did.”

“Oh, Venom!” Two steps and she throws herself into my arms. “Thank you! God, I can’t believe I’m finally going to be free!”

“You’re welcome, darlin’.”

“I’ll call my lawyer first thing in the morning.”

She pulls back, practically bouncing in place. Other than the look on her face each time I made her come, this is the happiest I’ve seen her.

“How did you do it?”

“Just made him see reason. He shouldn’t be bothering you anymore.”

“Made him see reason? That’s not the James I know. What did you really do, Venom?” Her joy disappears and she raises a concerned brow.

“Okay, fine. I brought a couple of my brothers with me. I guess three huge bikers are a lot more persuasive than you. He’s fine, I promise.”

“Good. You have brothers? How many? If they all look like you, I can understand the fear you must have struck in him.”

“I’m an only child.” I shift in discomfort. My “family” is a bit of a sore spot for me. “My brothers are the men in my MC.”

“Oh.” She looks down at the papers again, her smile returning. “Oh, my God, you….” She shakes her head in disbelief. “Thank you.”

“No worries.”

“No. Not anymore.”

As she stares at me with grateful eyes, I feel the need to give her more. Of what, I’m not quite sure. “I have something else I want to show you.” With brows drawn together, I lead her to the bedroom I converted into an office. I also keep this one locked, so I open it, motioning for her to enter. Curiosity takes her to the wall with my certifications. First, she looks over my accounting degrees.

“Liam Alexander Hughes… that’s you?” She glances back at me, clearly surprised.

“Yeah.”

“I like it. I think ‘Venom’ suits you better, though.” She winks.

“Me, too.”

She moves on to my licenses, clearly impressed as she eyes the certificates. Finally, she approaches me, taking both my hands in hers.

“Why are you showing me this?”

I shrug. “Guess I wanted to show you that I know what I’m doing with your uncle’s records.”

“Thank you, but I know my uncle. I knew you had to be good for him to trust you.”

I breathe an internal sigh of relief. I don’t even know why I brought her in here, or why it makes me feel better now that she’s privy to my education.