A Beauty Dark & Deadly (A Dark & Deadly Series Book 1) (25 page)

Chapter 14

He was getting better. Papa was getting better.

Emmy and Jason would visit him every day in the afternoon for lunch. Well, Emmy would visit. Jason would sit out in the lobby on his phone, writing. Emmy had no idea how it was possible to write a book using just his phone, but he did it diligently every day for the hour she spent with her grandfather.

To be honest, she wanted to introduce Jason to her grandfather. They hadn't really had the chance to talk much regarding how she was and what sort of work she had to do and what sort of man Jason was, and the times when her grandfather was awake and coherent in the hospital was filled with reading his favorite book
-
To Kill AMockingbir
d
- or listening to the nurse talk about possible medications and treatments and how this would affect him in the long run. What Emmy noticed was absent from both him and herself was the lack of discussion about how this was going to get paid. Emmy was afraid to bring it up on the off-chance that her grandfather might refuse treatment if it cost too much or put stress on Emmy. She wasn't sure why he hadn't brought it up yet, but every time she and Jason returned to his cabin in the woods, she knocked on the wooden door, hoping her luck would last at least another day.

Jason never asked why she knocked on the front door, which she appreciated. The more time she spent with him, the more she realized that he was accepting of her in her entirety. It was something she had never experienced with anyone else before, whether they were friend, lover, or even family. It was as though the world was filled with puppets, and everyone pulled on strings. Nothing came for free; everything had a contingency.

But somehow, Jason liked her for exactly who she was. It didn't matter that her hair frizzed up at the slightest exposure of moisture. It didn't matter that she drooled in her sleep and didn't know how to put on makeup or babbled to the point of being incomprehensible when she got excited or frustrated. It didn't matter that she was reserved in her affection, cautious during their time together before sex and after. She still didn't know who to be or how to act in a real relationship. Though, to be fair, it was still new, still undefined, still mysterious and uncertain and precious. She changed her mind constantly, but her heart never wavered in regards to her feelings for the man. She liked him, she liked being around him, and she definitely liked when they were connected. She kept telling herself that love might be too strong of a word right now, but she was on the precipice of falling and nothing could stop her. He was growing to become the second most important man in her life, which was why she felt it was important for both he and her grandfather to meet.

The thought caused her breath to get light and her stomach to get dizzy. To say she was nervous would be the understatement of the century. It was important that her grandfather liked Jason. Perhaps he would be wary - what overprotective grandfather wouldn't be - and perhaps he didn't trust Jason was innocent despite the outcome of his trials. In fact, the more that Emmy thought about it, the more she realized her grandfather had never given her his opinion on her choice of work. He told her to protect herself but never told her whether or not he thought she was safe. She wondered if it had anything to do with the fact that she was going to do what she was going to do, regardless.

It was two weeks since being admitted. His health had improved, and the doctor estimated another week before he could be released. This was good news – especially considering he was only supposed to be there for a few days at most. Emmy was happy. Relieved. Grateful. With every passing day, she saw color return to his face, his periwinkle blue eyes come back to life. He was sitting up on his own now, and complaining how salty the gravy on his hospital-issued meatloaf and potatoes was. He was returning to his old self again, and the sight of the transformation warmed Emmy's heart to the point where she thought it might burst right out of her chest.

Once they finished their lunch, Emmy's eyes drifted to the standard wall clock above the small television set in the room. She moved cleared the trash from the tray and moved the tray to the side. It was conveniently attached to the bed so she could push it away from him and fold it into a slot.

"You seem happy," he said, his eyes locked on her. He was smiling, his eyes crinkling, and she couldn't help but smile in return.

"You're going to be out in a week, Papa," Emmy said, folding her hands in her lap. "I'm ecstatic."

He waved her words away with a dismissive hand. "That's not what I've meant," he said. "You're different, Em. Happier. Why?"

“You’re questioning my happiness?” she teased.

“O’course,” he said with an abrupt nod of his head.  “It’s my duty as your grandfather.”

“I…”  She stopped, pressed her lips together.  Her eyes descended to her lap, and her thoughts swam into each other.  This was the difficult part.  Telling her grandfather everything.  Well, maybe not everything.  If she wanted him to come home sooner rather than later, she didn’t want to tell him just how close she and Jason had gotten.  Secrets were meant to be kept, and a lady never kissed and told.  “There’s a guy.”  She looked back at him and was surprised to see a blank look on his face.  No reaction whatsoever.

“So?” he asked, quirking a brow.  “I figured sooner or later this was coming.  Do you realize how beautiful you are, Emmy?  I’m surprised this wasn’t sooner.”

“Yes, well.”  She cupped her bicep with her right hand and squeezed.  “This one is different.”

“That’s what they all say.”  He paused.  “How are you able to see someone with your job?  I figured you don’t get out much, and…”  He let his voice trail off and his eyes widened.  He knew.  He just knew.

“Papa” –

“Are you telling me this boy is Jason Belmont?” he asked, and while he wasn’t yelling, his tone got clipped. 

Emmy started to feel her breathing get shallow, that it took extra effort to get oxygen to her lungs.  She could feel his disapproval from where she sat; it rolled off of him in harsh waves crashing into the surface.  She wasn’t used to disagreeing with him, to having some kind of tension between them.  To be completely honest, she had no idea how to handle it.

“Now, Em,” he said after clearing his throat.  She could hear the no coming, could see it dancing on his bottom lip.  “I don’t know” –

“Papa.”  Even she was surprised how curt her tone was.  How she interrupted him.  She forced herself to look into his eyes.  If there was nothing wrong with Jason, with what she was asking her grandfather, then there was no reason for her to feel ashamed of her choices, her actions.  She already knew she did not regret Jason in any capacity, and just because her grandfather didn’t approve didn’t mean she was going to start now.  “He’s sitting out there right now.”

“Just because he’s sitting out there doesn’t mean I’m obligated to meet him,” he returned, his voice a tad defensive.  She wondered if it was as difficult for him to disappoint her as it was for her.

“That’s not what I meant,” Emmy said.  “You know what people are saying about him.  You know what people are saying about me just for working for him. Papa, he drives me here every day so I can eat lunch with you.  He sits in the lobby with other people, reading magazines.  He endures the looks, the whispers.  I’m not sure if anyone said anything to his face – he hasn’t told me – but I wouldn’t put it past them.  But he does it for me, because he cares about me.  And whether you like it or not, I care about him.  He knows you’re always going to come first.  Always.  And he respects it.  He hasn’t argued or complained.  I’m not saying you have to like him.  But, in my opinion, he deserves a chance, at the very least.”

Papa was silent.  Seconds ticked away like hours, and the sound kept time with her heartbeat.  She held her breath, kept it lodged in her throat until it choked her, and then she released it slowly, through her nostrils little by little.

“Tomorrow,” he said finally.  “He can come tomorrow.”  He stuck out his finger and pointed at Emmy.  “You make sure he looks presentable, Em.  I’m not saying I’ll like him, but I won’t let him sit down if he comes dressed sloppy.  You know I won’t.”

Emmy couldn’t hear him over her smile.  Regardless, she leaped up from her seat and pulled him into a tight hug.

“I promise, Papa,” she told him.  “I promise.”

A small smile begrudgingly popped up onto his face.  “I
f
yo
u
like him, I can at least give him the benefit of the doubt,” he allowed.  “But he only gets one first impression.  Make sure he doesn’t waste it.”

--

“How do I look?"

Jason's voice caught Emmy off-guard and she nearly stumbled off of the couch. She managed to catch herself just in time, and as she stood, flattened the wrinkles that accumulated on her pencil skirt. If Jason had to dress up, she would as well. She didn't want him to feel like a sore thumb; they were partners, they would look like fools together. Dressing up to go to the hospital wasn't something people normally did, especially in the outskirts of San Francisco.

When she turned so
she could get a look at him, her breath caught in her throat. He looked... Well, Jason could definitely clean up. He wore a simple white shirt and black jeans with a pair of boots on his feet. He combed his hair but still let the strands fall in his face. Emmy had to resist the urge to keep from brushing them to the side. He shaved, making him appear almost boyish. The clothes fit him well. She could tell he ironed both articles of clothing, which amused her to no end. His biceps clung to the sleeves, popping out in such a way - like burlesque dancers strategically hid certain parts of their body while revealing others. She had to grip the sides of her skirt as subtly as she could in order to refrain from reaching out and squeezing them.

She was excited. Giddy even. Emmy wasn't quite sure as to why. Her grandfather had met guys before. If she dated, he insisted on it. But Jason was different. This was different. And deep inside, she knew that.

"You look very sexy," she said, feeling her cheeks pinch with redness.

Jason blushed. She grinned inwardly. She liked making Jason blushed.

"Sexy is not what I'm going for to meet your grandpa," he said, his voice particularly mumbly. Emmy noticed this only occurred when he was nervous about something. It was kind of cute.

"You look great," she said. She couldn't stop herself from reaching out and squeezing his hand. She had to touch him. Had to.

"So do you," he said, looking her over with a predatory look in his dark eyes. "You should wear one of your big sweatshirts so you don't distract me that much."

Emmy giggled. "Jason," she said when she finished, her tone serious. "Thank you. For coming, I mean. You have no idea how much I appreciate it. I know it's not the most comfortable experience, especially being an introvert, but it just makes me feel amazing knowing you would do this for me and for my grandfather. So thank you."

Jason's face turned even redder, which Emmy thought was impossible.

---

The drive over to the hospital was lighthearted and easy. Traffic was minimal. Winter was slowly starting to creep into spring, which meant snow was starting to melt. Winter tourists were leaving but it was still too early and too cold for summer tourism. As such, Tahoe was emptier than usual, which made driving easier. Not that it had been overtly difficult in the first place.

They stopped at her grandfather's favorite restaurant - a mom-and-pop diner that served meatloaf, potatoes, and gravy he absolutely loved - to grab takeout and then make their way to the hospital. It was slightly busier than usual, and Emmy felt Jason tense behind her. Because he carried the plastic bag filled with their food, Emmy reached behind her and took his free hand in hers, squeezing to offer what reassurance she could. They stopped at reception and Emmy gave the now familiar nurse - Jan - a smile before heading to the elevators and heading to the second floor.

"I must really like you," Jason mumbled once they were safely within the confines of the steel elevator. "To put up with this shit." He snapped his head in her direction. “I don't mean your grandpa. I mean... You know." She looked at him, a soft smile on her face. "But I know you must feel the same way about me because you put up with the same shit."

The elevator pinged and the doors slid open. "I do," she assured him. "May I ask you a favor? Please refrain from swearing around him. He was in the army and is familiar with it but if someone swore in his company and they weren't one of his buddies, he'd take it as a sign of disrespect."