Undone (34 page)

“What was that for?” she asked, panting.

He lifted a shoulder and dropped a chaste kiss on her lips. “Just love you, that’s all.”

Her answering smile was so large she felt her cheeks ache.

He folded her hand in his and tugged her to his side. “Let’s go.”

They walked up the stairs into the bar. It was beach chic—dark wood floors, white walls, wainscoting on the ceiling, driftwood accents, and pictures of surf and sunset covering the walls. Embry led them past the bar and into the lounge where large white ottomans were arranged across the floor.

“Embry!” Morgan’s voice carried over the music.

Embry saw Brett’s tall head above the crowd. “Back there,” she said to Luke.

He nodded, his eyes searching the bar.

“Hiyeeeeeeeee!” Morgan sang, running up and pulling Embry into a hug.

“Hey there,” Embry replied.

“Let the girl breathe, babe,” Brett said behind her. He extended his hand toward Luke. “Hey, man, I’m Brett.”

“Luke. Nice to meet you.”

Embry peeled away from Morgan and wrapped her arms around Brett’s torso. “Hey, big bro.”

Brett ruffled her hair and hooked his arm around her. “Hey, B. How are you doing?”

“Good.”

Morgan and Luke said hello, and they all made their way to two large ottomans in the back of the room. Electronic music pulsed in the background, and Morgan and Embry got comfortable as the guys went for drinks.

“So how was Thanksgiving?” Morgan asked. “Do Dean and Celia like Luke?”

“Oh you know, never a dull moment at the Jacobs’ house. We had a great Thanksgiving. They love Luke. Then Jack showed up, which made the evening that much more special,” Embry deadpanned.

Morgan’s eyes nearly bugged out of her head, and Embry laughed at her friend’s reaction.

“You’re kidding, right?” she asked.

“Wish I were. My mom ran into Jack and his father and wound up inviting them to stop by after dessert. She didn’t know about Luke, and when I told her later, I guess it slipped her mind.” Embry shrugged.

“So I’m assuming you’ve finally come clean to Luke and your parents?”

“Yeah. Shitty night, but it ended well.”

“I’m surprised Luke didn’t kick Jack’s ass!” Morgan said.

“Oh, I’m sure he would have if we weren’t at my parents’ house. I’ve never seen him so angry. We sat on the porch in the freezing cold for an hour because he didn’t want me near Jack. And he sure as hell couldn’t go near him.”

“You sat outside the entire time Jack was there? Celia must have had a coronary.”

“She was pretty pissed until I told her the truth. Then I think she just felt like shit. She’s blaming herself.”

“Wow,” Morgan said, shaking her head in disbelief.

“Yep,” Embry agreed.

Luke and Brett came back with drinks, and the conversation took on a lighter tone. Apparently Luke was interested in Brett’s new CrossFit obsession, and they were bonding over their workouts. Morgan raised an eyebrow at Embry when they heard Luke mentioning the cult-like program.

Embry shrugged. “As long as he doesn’t start high-fiving, it’s all good.”

Morgan dragged Embry out onto the dance floor while Luke and Brett continued their male bonding. The girls twirled each other around under the watchful eyes of their men. Embry was having a great time and feeling the effects of the alcohol. Somehow, Morgan convinced Luke to be her next victim as Embry collapsed on the ottoman next to Brett. Luke was a good sport and put up with Morgan’s giggles as he spun her around. Brett gave Embry a careful look.

“He told you, didn’t he?” she accused.

“Of course he did!” Brett said. “That fucker must have brass balls walking into your house like that. I have no idea how Luke controlled himself.”

Embry sighed. “I don’t know how he did it either. I thought he was going to break.”

“Well, he’s a better man than I am,” Brett admitted. “I would’ve kicked the shit out of him in the middle of your living room.”

“After telling my parents last night, I’m pretty sure Dean and Celia would get in line behind you,” she said dejectedly.

His eyes softened, and he covered her hand with his. “How’d that go?”

She shrugged. “As good as it could have gone, I guess. They were understanding and supportive, and I felt like an ass for not trusting them sooner.”

“It’s all good, B. It’s over now.”

“Is it?” she asked, her eyes pleading. “I’m not so sure. And if you or Luke really believed that, neither of you would sit here looking more like a security detail than our boyfriends.”

“You’re important to both of us. We want to make sure you’re safe.”

“Well, I’m definitely safe here,” Embry said. “I may not have had any contact with him in five years, but I know Jack Stowe would never set foot in a place like this.”

Brett shrugged. “Go get me my girlfriend, and dance with your man.”

Embry gave Brett a half-hearted salute and headed back onto the dance floor. Morgan swirled around as Luke grabbed Embry’s waist and pulled her close.

“Hey, baby,” he said, joining his lips with hers.

“Mmmm, hi,” she replied against his mouth. “Did you have fun dancing with Morgan?”

“She wore me out. That girl is some kind of special.”

“Luke!” Embry said, slapping his chest.

“What?” He laughed. “I’m just saying y’all must have a really special bond, because that one’s a little crazy.”

Embry raised an eyebrow. “Was that a y’all I just heard?”

Luke shook his head. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

“Say it again!” Embry said, grinding against him.

“Say what again?” he asked innocently.

“Oh, come on. You know I love how you talk. It’s hot!”

“Is it, now?” he said, a devious glint in his eye.

“Darn tootin’!” She made a goofy face.

“Okay, I’m gonna have to put you in a time-out for that one,” he said, chuckling.

She smiled a sweet smile. “Why, baby?”

“You ruined the sexy,” he said, planting a wet kiss on her lips. “Go dance with your friend. I need a beer.”

Embry and Morgan continued to shake their asses on the dance floor, putting on a show for their men as they kicked back on the ottomans enjoying their beers.

After another song or two, Morgan tugged on Embry’s arm. “Bathroom!”

Embry nodded and let Morgan lead her toward the back of the bar. They rounded the corner to the bathroom and saw the long line. At least ten girls stood in the hallway, waiting for the single-stall toilet.

Morgan grabbed Embry’s elbow. “There’s another one,” she said conspiratorially. “I’ve been here enough times to know better than to wait on that line. Come on.”

She followed Morgan out the back door and down a set of stairs that wrapped around to the front of the building. Sure enough, underneath the overhang was another bathroom for the people who used the marina. They only had to wait behind one person.

As they waited, Morgan’s phone rang. She pulled it out of her clutch. “Hi, babe, we’re just downstairs. Babe? Can you hear me?” She huffed, shoved the phone back in her purse, and turned to Embry. “Bad service, I guess.”

The bathroom door opened, and the occupant left.

“Go ahead,” Morgan said, waving at the empty bathroom. “They’ll have a fit if they can’t find us. I’ll pop my head upstairs and let them know where we are, and I’ll be back by the time you’re finished.”

“Okay.” Embry watched Morgan walk back up the stairs before she entered the bathroom and locked the door. She took care of business and washed her hands then spent a few minutes fixing her hair and makeup. She flipped the lock and left the bathroom, looking for Morgan.

He came out of nowhere and slammed her into the concrete wall. She let out a startled cry and immediately began to struggle.

“Hello, Embry,” he whispered, holding her back against the wall with the weight of his body.

Her breath caught and her eyes filled with tears as she stared up into his hate-filled gaze. “Jack,” she choked out.

“You’re looking lovely this evening, Bree,” he said, leaning into her face.

She fought against him, trying for even a sliver of space, but he wouldn’t relent. “What are you doing here, Jack?” Embry bit out, continuing to struggle against his hold. His heavy thighs were crushed against hers, his body holding her flush against the wall, his hot breath coming down on her face. He smelled like a distillery.

“Well, it just so happens that my dad docks his boat here. Imagine that,” he sneered.

Embry’s mind spun, trying to grasp onto a single thought, anything to help her. She shook her head and continued her fruitless attempts to break free. Jack’s hands moved to the wall on either side of her head, freeing her arms. She took a deep breath, biding her time until she could catch him by surprise. “What do you want, Jack?”

“I didn’t get the chance to visit with you last night. When I saw pretty boy’s truck out here, I thought I should stop in for a chat.”

Jack turned his head slightly to indicate Luke’s truck, and Embry made her move. Summoning all the strength she could, she threw her arms up and out against Jack’s chest. She was quick, but he was quicker. Jack caught her wrists and squeezed, pushing her hands down to her sides. His grip was too tight, cutting off circulation and making her fingers tingle. Where were Morgan, Brett, and Luke?

“Jack, please. You’re hurting me.” She felt hopeless. Weak.

“I’m hurting you, Embry?” He let out a mirthless laugh.

“Let me go,” she pleaded as tears fell down her face.

“Not a chance,” he growled. “I want answers.”

Embry swallowed thickly. “To what?”

His expression softened infinitesimally, and Embry almost saw the boy she had once fallen in love with. Almost. He released her hands, but as soon as Embry made a move, he slammed her back against the wall. Her head bounced against the concrete, sending a wave of pain through her skull.

“You left, disappeared. How?” he demanded.

For just a moment, she thought he was actually hurt and asking how she could have left him. Then she remembered he was Jack Stowe, and he wasn’t capable of feeling any emotion other than anger. He didn’t want to know why she left him. He wanted to know how she’d pulled it off.

She trembled from head to toe, and shame swept over her, resting heavy on her shoulders. She couldn’t count how many times she’d thought about what she’d do if she ever saw Jack again. How she’d show him just how strong she had become. But when it happened, she fell right back into the same old pattern. Crying, scared, weak Embry. She was backpedaling into her past so quickly she wasn’t sure how she would find her way out.

She still hadn’t answered his question, but he didn’t seem to notice. His feral stare shifted and his eyes turned heated as he pushed his body harder against hers. His rough hands slithered up her sides, and he brought his face to her neck. She felt him inhale against her throat.

“Mmm, I forgot how good you—”

Jack was pulled off of her so quickly, she was nearly knocked over. Everything was a blur as Morgan dragged Embry toward the parking lot, but she didn’t miss the unmistakable sound of bones crunching as Luke’s fist met Jack’s face.

She winced as he used Jack as a punching bag. Her southern gentleman was keyed up. His hair was perfectly styled and his shirt sleeves were rolled up in typical Luke fashion, but his expression was one she had never seen. She’d gotten a preview when Jack had shown up at Thanksgiving, but that was nothing compared to the pure, unadulterated fury on his face. He landed blow after blow on Jack’s bloodied face, never giving him a chance to retaliate. A left hook sent Jack’s head snapping back and Luke went in for another punch.

Embry jumped forward, shouting, “No!”

She didn’t want that. She wanted Jack out of her life, but not like that. Luke couldn’t risk his future over him. Morgan continued to hold onto Embry as Brett stepped in, gripped Luke around the biceps, and pulled him back. Jack slumped down onto the hard concrete, listing to the side as blood dripped down onto his shirt.

“Easy, buddy,” Brett said. “You got him. Get your girl out of here. I’ll take care of this.”

Luke turned to Embry, the anguish in his eyes piercing her heart. Tears streaked down her cheeks as she gulped for air. “I’m so sorry,” she sobbed.

Luke kept his eyes trained on hers and shook his head. He approached her, nodding at Morgan, and grabbed Embry’s hand. “Let’s go.”

She gripped his hand loosely and followed him to the car. She looked over her shoulder and saw Brett grabbing Jack by the collar and pulling him so close they were nearly nose to nose. She didn’t want to see what happened next.

Turning back, she followed Luke around to the passenger side of the Rover as he opened the door for her. They sat in the car, silence stretching between them. The adrenaline was leaving Embry’s system, and she was shaking like a leaf. She hugged herself tight, afraid that her arms were the only things holding her together. She chanced a look at Luke. His stare was fixed on the darkness in front of them, the muscles in his jaw working furiously. He was angry, that much was obvious. But was it at her? Did he regret getting involved with someone with an abusive past? She stared at her lap, not knowing what to say.