Total pages in book: 143
Estimated words: 138287 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 691(@200wpm)___ 553(@250wpm)___ 461(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 138287 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 691(@200wpm)___ 553(@250wpm)___ 461(@300wpm)
“Thanks for coming, you guys,” uttered Cherry. “I know we didn’t exactly part on great terms.”
The moment I heard Hell’s voice, my gut clenched eagerly. “Don’t worry about it, babe. It was a shitty situation.”
Noah agreed. “We coped as best as we could under the circumstances.” When he added, “But, really, tell me. How is she?”
“Emmy?” Cherry asked. “She’s doing well. In fact, I just saw her today.”
Lee sounded sad. “You saw her today?” He let out a sigh then grumbled, “Why doesn’t she pick up her phone for us? This is bullshit. I didn’t do anything to her.” He paused. “Fuck, I miss her.”
At that, my heart sank.
I was unknowingly punishing them for something Connor had done and that wasn’t fair. They clearly missed me as much as I missed them.
Checking my appearance in the mirror, I looked down at my high-waisted jeans and cropped tee combo and smiled. Without another thought, I stepped out of my room.
Three hulking men stood with their backs to me and Noah uttered softly, “Will you tell her we miss her?”
Cherry spotted me and grinned. She jerked her chin in my direction then drawled, “I’m not a damn messenger. Tell her yourself.”
They turned and when their matching frowns settled on me, I could tell they didn’t recognize me.
It was only when I spoke that I got a reaction. “Hi, guys.”
Noah’s eyes widened and he took a step forward. “Emmy?”
“Hey, Noah,” I said self-consciously, putting my hands into the front pockets of my jeans. I knew I looked different. I wasn’t sure they liked my new appearance.
Not able to hide his shock, he placed his hands on his head and stepped back, away from me. He blinked and his mouth gaped and every time he went to speak, the words never came.
While Noah had his internal breakdown, Hell rushed me and when he lifted me, I held onto his shoulders, letting out a squeak then laughing hard. “Hell, put me down!”
“Never,” he said, only lowering me enough to kiss my cheek. “Never, never.” He kissed me again, this time on the neck and I choked out a squeal. His beard tickled. When he finally lowered me to the ground, he held me to him, gently swaying me from side to side. “Never again.” My face flushed with laughter, I chuckled as I pulled back and looked up into the huge Viking’s face. He looked miserable. “You okay?”
Tears blurred my vision. I blinked them back. “Yeah.”
I sniffled but smiled when Lee held out his arms. “Got a hug for you brother?”
A sad smile crossed my face as I nodded, walking into his tall, lean body. He held me a long time, pressing soft kisses to my hair and, suddenly, I felt lighter than I had in the two months we’d been apart. He ran his hand down my thick purple locks, caressing the strands between his fingertips and I heard his smile. “Nice hair.” I lifted my head to look at him. He smiled down at me tenderly. “So, you’re a Vixen now, huh?”
“Sort of,” Cherry broke in. “Emmy’s our manager.”
At that, Lee stilled. “You’re The Violet Dame?” His face took on a look of pure horror and he jumped back, away from me. “Oh, God. Shit.” He paced, looking like he was going to be ill. “Godammit!”
“What’s wrong?” I asked, utterly confused.
Lee pinched the bridge of his nose. “I’ve been checking you out, Emmy!” He shuddered. “Ugh.”
I laughed but I did it blushing. “Aw, Lee. You didn’t know. It’s okay.”
But he shook his head. “It’s not okay.” He cringed. “You’re like my baby sister. That’s wrong. So wrong.”
Hell piped in with, “I don’t see what the issue is. She looks fucking hot.”
I turned to Hell, grinning. “Thank you, Helmer.”
He gifted me a regal nod. “You’re welcome, Emmy.”
And Noah stood there, a wash of emotions on his face. I saw sadness, confusion, and guilt. When his eyes met mine, he let out a small sigh then said, “I tried to call.”
My voice was weak. “I know.”
He moved, stepping closer and closer until he stood in front of me. He cupped my cheeks and searched my face a long while before gently shaking his head and frowning. “I can’t believe it’s really you.”
Insecure, I closed my eyes. “I know it’s different—”
But he cut me off with, “It’s good. Really. Just unfamiliar is all.”
“I’m still the same person, Noe,” I assured him.
“Are you?” he asked, unsure. “I don’t think you could be. Not after everything that happened.”
He was right, of course, and it was too much. I let out an exasperated, “Will you just hug me already?”
I watched Noah’s face transform with his smile. “There she is.” He gently took me into his arms and held me to him. “There’s my Emmy.” I buried my face into his chest and breathed him in, smiling warmly as the weight of the world dropped off of my shoulders.