Semua Bab My Runaway Mafia Groom Wants Me Back: Bab 11 - Bab 20

(Emmeline) Just as I finish reading Jackson his bedtime story, there’s a knock at the door. I assume Bruce would have taken out any threats, remembering far too late that the biggest threat of all pays his salary.“What do you want?” I ask Asher frostily. I don’t want to see him. He makes me feel giddy and guilty and achy in all the wrong ways. I don’t love him. It’s impossible to love someone who doesn’t have a heart. I can only chalk my feelings up to hormones and clinging to the past.“I’ve come to check on Jackson,” he informs me just as coolly, entering without an invitation, acting like the place belongs to him. Right now I’m claiming squatters’ rights and possession is nine tenths of the law.“He’s about to go to sleep…” But it’s too late, Jackson’s up and launching himself at Asher. “Daddy!” he shrieks breathlessly.Asher laughs, catching him easily before he swings him around. “Hey buddy. I just wanted to make sure you have everything you need. Tomorrow, I think you and y

(Asher)I’m still staring at the damn ring when I hear the front door slamming shut. My first thought is that Emmeline is trying to run from me and I’m in the hallway before I know what I’m doing.Bruce looks up in surprise from where he’s headed back down the hallway. “Hey, boss. Nothing to worry about. Caterina came back to have a little go at Emmeline, but she handled it like a champ.”Nothing Bruce says after ‘nothing to worry about’ actually sounds like nothing to worry about. “Come into my office,” I tell him, leading the way.A million thoughts are swirling through my mind. What did Caterina say to Emmeline? What if she was so antagonistic that Emmeline decides she can’t stay here? Not that I’m letting her leave, but I don’t relish making her my prisoner.Bruce frowns in consternation when I sit back down behind my desk. “You okay boss?” he asks, studying my face closely. If even Bruce is picking up on my inner turmoil, I’m in big trouble.“Tell me everything that happened,”

(Emmeline) The next few days pass in an agony of indecision. I vacillate wildly between deciding to do what Elias is asking me to, and firmly making up my mind to turn him down.Every time I see Asher and Caterina together, I’m ready to not only throw him under the bus, but to take the wheel and back over him a few times. To my intense shame, I have to admit that I’m jealous.Not because I still have feelings for him. I’d have to be seriously deranged for that to be true. I’ve come to the conclusion that it’s normal to have a lingering sense of possessiveness towards someone you were once engaged to. Even when you feel nothing for them anymore. Absolutely nothing. In fact, a deficit of nothing.The same can’t be said of Jackson. As much as I hate to admit it, I think Jackson would pick Asher over Spider-man if he was offered the option of spending 24-hours with either of them. I wouldn’t be surprised to learn that he believes his dad can walk on water.“Mama, daddy’s taking me out fo

(Emmeline) “Mama, please be nice to daddy today,” Jackson begs while I finish getting ready. He’s been up since before sunrise. Teeth brushed and fully dressed before he shook me awake at six.“I’ll be just as nice as he is,” I tell him over the rim of my coffee mug. I didn’t sleep well. Again. I’m worried about today. Both for our safety and the danger of spending time with Asher. Seeing him interact so naturally with Jackson fissures my resolve to keep my distance. It makes me want to listen to what he has to say, and that’s very dangerous.“Mama,” Jackson says exasperatedly. “Yes. Fine. I’ll be as sweet as sugar. Why don’t you go see where your prodigal father is and tell him the same thing. I’ll be in a better mood once I’ve finished my coffee.”Jackson frowns, “Do you promise?” I know how excited he is about today, and I’m not about to rain all over his parade with my grumpy fear. “I promise, baby. We’re going to have so much fun.” He grins, throwing his arms around my neck and

(Asher)“Boss, there’s trouble,” Bruce shouts down the phone. It’s the middle of the night and he’s just woken me up, but I’m wide awake immediately.“Where’s Jackson and Emmeline?” I ask, fear beating harshly in my chest. “They’re in bed, still asleep,” he tells me and the shadow of panic recedes slightly.“Tell me,” I order. “There are five vehicles which just pulled up outside. At least twenty men, maybe more. I don’t recognize any of them, so whoever’s moving on you is outsourcing. They have some heavy artillery. I’ve brought all the guys inside.”Fuck. Fuck fuck fuck fuck. I should be there. “I’m on my way. Wake Emmeline and take her, Jackson and the live-in staff down to the panic room. You make sure nobody sees where it is.”Bruce is the only one who knows it exists, or where the entrance is. If these men manage to breach the house, I want to make sure nobody can share that information. I know Bruce will never talk. “Yes boss. Don’t come in the front, they’ll kill you.”I appre