Take A Walk In My Skin

Chapter 13

     Emma's POV

     I was in a lagoon of goo, unsettled and sticky. Coming back to the house, mixed emotions leaked inside. Why was Raphael acting so strange around Phase? Why did he excuse me from the meeting so early? What did he have planned for our next meet that was so special?

      All questions remained unanswered for the rest of the night. The next morning I saw Blake and Liam off to school. Little did I know this would be the last morning that things would be normal.

     As I was all alone, no Blake or Liam in sight, that was when an unknown person showed up outside the house a few hours later.

     I wasn't sure who parked out front, knocking at the door several times. I had already shifted into a dog upon arrival, so I couldn't check to see who it was at the front porch.

     I raced on all fours upstairs, thinking they were about to break in. Silly me thought I could get a better look from the upstairs window.

     With what felt like seconds later, I heard the jingling of the keys in the lock and the door opening broadly to a mysterious stranger.

     It wasn't Liam, because this person was too tall. It wasn't Blake, because he was still teaching at school and the age and posture of this person seemed to be much older. It didn't turn out to be Cheryl, Raphael, or anyone else I had met, so I was at a complete loss figuring out this mess.

     The total stranger stepped inside the entrance, and after shutting the door behind them, shrugged off their coat, tossed it up on the rack, and headed into another room.

     They never once noticed me sitting at the top of the steps, sneaking down to hide and watch them outside the archway of the kitchen.

     I was spying, of course. I took in everything they were doing. I wanted to keep tabs, or awfully, use it as a report for Raphael.

   Over by the cabinets was an elderly man with tender wrinkles stretching his face, scars marring his saggy skin, and time standing wise in his eyes. I peered another look to find him setting his bags down on the counter and steadily opening up one of the cabinets —almost like he knew the place— to grab a bottle of Jack Daniels and pour himself a small glass. He downs the whole thing in an entire sip when he turns around and spots me.

      I startled him with my presence, but for lack of honing my senses, I didn't notice the yapping fur-ball in his arms he unleashed until it was too late.

       I was coddled with love, kindness, and compassion. Surrounding me everywhere I went was a puny thing. What I perceived as a pest at first was actually a golden yellow chihuahua and it belonged to Blake's father and Liam's grandfather by resemblance.

       "Such a beautiful dog you are. So precious." He smiled a wide grin my way and patted my furry back. "I wish I knew about you. You're much like my baby."

         He talked to the both of us like it was normal to talk to dogs all the time as if they were human...he talked and kept us company until Blake arrived home and saw us playing around in the living room. I had a feeling he didn't expect him to show up either.

        My theory was correct as Blake uttered, "What the—what are you doing here?"

        "I came to see you, see how things are going with my only son. I didn't know you got this German Shepherd," his father said. "Did you know, as a kid, my family used to have one? It was before I was bonded to this pooch." He pointed to the now passed out dog, Daisy.

       Thankfully, I didn't get named after a flower...

       "We didn't get her like you got yours, she found us. But that's beside the point, dad. You came unannounced. You should've called first."

       "I called many times telling you about my visit. It's not my fault...I guess you ignored them. I'm sorry to disturb you. I can go if you want."

       "No, no. Stay for dinner," Blake mulled over. "Liam gets home really soon and we're having mac and cheese."

       "That's so thoughtful of you," he responded, taking his seat back on the couch. "I think I will."

      ...

Raphael's POV

     I couldn't stand that awkwardness I had with Emma when she visited, especially when Phase was around. I was so sure she caught me—saw right through me. I know if anyone could spot a failure, it was her.

      She had them as parents who raised her. If it wasn't for them wanting a child at the time, she'd be dead...just like her real family. My father and I wouldn't have hesitated.

     Emma should've never seen that side of me, the vulnerable side of me, the side of me itching to just grab Phase and lay one on him. But I suspected she did, and I couldn't show weakness.

       Still standing inside the office, I contemplated what went down, or possibly, what went wrong. The meeting was over rather quickly and she had nothing new to report to me. She had a lot of time she could have gathered information on the family, yet she brought me nothing...

     Besides, Phase made his appearance and met Emma and it kind of made a tent in my pants. I wasn't sure why seeing the two of them together made my balls hurt, but it was hot.

     "I didn't like how our last conversation ended," Phase admitted, running slender fingers against his blue streaks.

     "How dare you try to tell me what to do?" I replied. "You had no right."

      "You're right. I just thought Emma would want to know her history, and see what happens to those that go against you."

      "Don't you think maybe that might do more harm than good when she finds out it was her parents who defied me? She might run away, or worse...and you know I can't have her doing anything like that. Stepping out of line would be the death of her."

       "I don't think she will run if you just tell her the truth," Phase stated.

        "But then she will learn what I did to become leader," I confessed with a long, exasperated sigh.

        "I think it's better than the alternative," Phase reminded. "Sheila and Frank are the worst."

       "If Emma ever did find out what happened to her real mother and father, who's to say she won't leave us anyway? I can't take back what I did."

       "And you won't have to," Phase snapped back in a second, looking me dead in the eyes, letting out a charming smile. "We'll just have to make sure she doesn't run."

       Inviting him back to the motel, I showed him the room as well as the two girls who obeyed my order to strip and remain in my bed until I returned. "Would you like to watch me while I punish them?" I asked.

The area we were in was tacky as hell, yet comforting for what I had planned, and Niq and Trixy appeared on edge, as they should be.

       "I would love to," Phase responded, his smile growing a tenfold wider than it did before.

All of a sudden his lips were slamming into mine moments after. All too eagerly Phase complimented me completely in every way I thought about him.

       He allowed me to experience him and take full control. Torture, I was devoted. His mind, I was fascinated. I wanted to invite him to a night he would never forget.

       As for the next time I saw Emma, I'd make sure she knew her place, starting with the truth.