BROKEN HOPE (Broken Redemption Book 2)

Chapter 16

Lucas

"So where are we?" I ask Ben, who takes the seat across from me in Embree's office.

It's been a little over a week since we turned over the information Agent Halder gave us to OPR. Since then, he and Nic have been in negotiations with them, attempting to untangle Embree from the mess Creed is involved in.

"Nic was able to work out an agreement. Thanks to what was on that thumb drive, they agreed the surveillance on Emilia was planted illegally. They have no evidence tying her to their investigation, so Nic made it clear it needs to be made right. She also filled them in on the dissolution of the marriage and subsequent termination of his parental rights. It's enough to affirm Emilia wants nothing to do with Creed, and that she'll be the first to turn him in should he make contact. In short, they won't be bothering her anymore."

"We got that in writing?"

"Damn straight. You know my sister. She's a goddamned pit bull when it comes to protecting the people she loves."

"What do we know about the asshole agent who threatened her?" Agent Robert Kessler. The second man on my growing kill list.

"Nothing yet. From what I understand, they're still investigating. Hunt did say he's on some kind of administrative leave and was warned not to contact her."

"We need to figure out who's behind this. Whoever orchestrated the investigation against Creed and ordered the surveillance on Emilia is more powerful than Kessler. They're the real threat and as long as they're out there, there's no guarantee she's safe."

"We're on it. Mason's on Creed duty and Owen is working closely with Agents Hunt and Halder. The minute we get an inkling of who it might be, you'll be the first to know." His assurance does nothing to ease my concern. Especially as with each passing day, Emilia and the girls grow increasingly tired of being locked away in the house.

"Embree's had enough," I confess, as my shoulders slump in defeat. I promised her this would be over soon, but it sounds like it's going to be a while before her life can return to normal.

"What do you mean?"

"School year ends in three days, and she was hoping everything would be settled by then. Given what's happened, she's looking forward to spending time with the girls, possibly taking them on a trip to get them out of Ruby Creek for a week or two. Just the three of them."

"Look, I get this is hard, but part of your job is managing her expectations. Only time will tell if the threat is truly behind us. You need to help her understand that and make it clear that it's something we'll need to re-assess weekly. If having the girls' home full time gets to be too much, we can look into setting up occasional day trips to places where we can mitigate the risk and ensure their safety."

He's not telling me anything I don't already know. Properly chastised, I only nod. For the foreseeable future, this is how it needs to be.

"So, how's everything else? She had enough of you yet?" Under the desk, he kicks at my feet playfully. It's his way of trying to lighten my solemn mood.

"All good. And no, I don't think so. Though I can tell having us around has been a difficult adjustment for her."

"Sounds about right. It's to be expected given the circumstances. What about you? How are you adjusting?" Though he gives off an air of nonchalance, his eyes are locked in on me like he's dying to see if I'll tell him the truth.

It awakens a prickle of apprehension, especially when I think back to what happened Friday night. When I opened the door, still pissed after our argument, nothing could have prepared me for the way her eyes sparkled with desire. It damn near brought me to my knees, and it took everything I had to stand there waiting for the inevitable moment that look would turn to pity.