Speak Of The Devil

Speak Of The Devil

Emily’s POV

I stepped out of the room after dinner, trying to find a spot for my escape. I found it, opened the door, and walked in.

Inside was a computer, and by the sides were bookshelves.

I could tell it was an office. Everything was in place from the arranged files, rolling seats, and the quietness.

My legs moved further towards the bookshelf.

One book got my interest, and I picked it up, and a piece of paper fell, and I looked down.

I bent to pick it up and turned it to see a familiar face. It was…Cole.

My stomach twisted. The same eyes and smile but he was younger, maybe six.

“Don’t touch that.”

I jumped, turning, my heart racing. Lucious stood behind me. How long had he been standing there?

He walked towards me and took the picture, kept it inside the book, and placed it back on the shelf.

I was curious. My heart was racing wildly. “Who is he?” I asked softly.

“My son.”

My heart stopped. I whispered, taking a step back. “Cole?”

He cocked his head slightly. “You know him?”

I was stuck and couldn't form the right words.

The expression in his eyes sharpened. “Emily,” he growled. “How do you know my son?”

The room began to spin. My mouth opened but no words came out.

I gasped, taking a step back. He followed me. My legs wobbled and he caught me before I could fall.

This can't be happening. If he were Cole's father, then I had been with… oh no.

He held me closer, his tone calm. “Answer me, Emily. How do you know Cole?”

I swallowed, my breath shaky as I whispered. “He was my fiancé,” I whispered.

Lucious’s eyes darkened instantly. Dear Lord, did I say something wrong?

The silence was deafening. Lucious didn't budge. His jaw clenched and he looked at me.

“Was your fiancé?” he repeated deliberately.

“Yes, until I caught him in bed with someone else,” I nodded, my voice trembling. “And then he looted our savings.”

His hands clenched. “He stole from you?”

“Yes.”

He shifted his eyes away, his face hardening, the cold glare in his eyes. Then he scoffed. “Of course he did.”

“What?”

“I know my son and he's a big disappointment,” Lucious said bluntly.

My chest tightened. “This is awkward. I can't believe I am pregnant with my ex-fiancé’s father.”

His eyes narrowed. “That's not a problem.”

What did he mean by that? It was a huge problem.

Before I could say anything, there was the noise of tires crunching the flattened gravel floor outside. Lucious turned to look out the window. “He’s here.”

My voice cracked. “What?”

“Cole. My son. He’s back,” he said to me.

“Oh no,” I panicked. “I can’t see him.”

“You don’t have to say anything,” Lucious said quietly. “Just stay behind me.”

I listened to his footsteps climbing the stairs and the door opened.

“Dad, you called—” Cole said but froze when he saw me standing next to Lucious. His face turned pale. “Emily?”

“How the hell are you here?” he demanded.

“Watch your tone,” Lucious’s voice spoke coldly.

Cole turned to him. “You can’t just bring my ex-fiancée here.”

“Ex,” Lucious said, straining the words. “I wasn't aware you had a fiancée.”

“I was going to tell you,” Cole said.

“When?” Lucious asked and I saw Cole gulp. “Or was it after you cheated on her?”

Cole's face crumbled.

Lucious didn't look away. “That’s great of you because she's with me.”

Cole’s mouth opened and closed as if hunting for words. “Wait. No. You slept with her?”

Lucious didn't blink. He crossed his arms.

“She was broken when she came to me,” Lucious said steadily. “That was your doing.”

Cole’s face twisted. “You don't get to talk about me like that!”

Lucious moved closer to him, his tone ice-cold. “Then act like someone worth defending.”

Cole’s jaw began to shake. “You never cared about me.”

“That’s your excuse for being weak?” Lucious asked.

“I was doing my best.”

“No,” Lucious said curtly. “You gamble. You lie. You wear masks to hide behind others since you are too cowardly to be who you are.”

Cole’s eyes welled with tears. “You don't know anything about me."

“I know enough.”

I moved backward, whispering, “I should go.”

“You’re not going anywhere,” Lucious turned sharply.

“Why not?!” Cole retorted.

“She’s pregnant with my child!” Lucious replied and Cole froze.

Cole gazed at me with quaking vocals. “You’re pregnant?”

I didn’t reply.

He laughed bitterly, his eyes red. “Shit. You got your lick back.”

Lucious’s tone hardened. “Enough.”

Cole glared at his father. “Don’t think I'm going to let you win this.”

“I have already won,” Lucious answered. “Next time, don't throw your woman away.”

Cole fumed, biting his lip but Lucious wasn't done.

“And if you try to hurt her. I won't remember that you're my son. I believe I have made that clear to you.”

“Screw you,” Cole spat and left. I felt the sharp slam of the door the second it hit the wall.

“I didn’t mean for any of this to happen,” I whispered.

He gazed down at me, his grip firm on my waist. “I know.”

His thumb gently brushed my wrist. “You’re safe here, Emily. I promise.”

I stared at him, the man who terrified me and yet made me feel protected all at once.

And somehow, I believed him.

But deep down, I also knew the word ‘safety’ was never permanent in the house of Dexter.