The Heirs: The Murphy Sweetheart

Chapter 21

Chapter 21

Rhys

It's cute that Emery thinks she can hide anything from me. I know her better than I know myself, and I sure as hell know when something is bothering her. I noticed it when I got home from work and she was just sort of sitting there, staring off into space. Her eyes looked slightly puffy like maybe she'd been crying. When I asked her what was going on, she chalked it up to the stress of the acquisition.

But I know better.

I hold her in my arms as she nestles into me.

I kiss the top of her head.

"Tell me what's going on in there, baby," I say softly.

She starts picking at her nails. I place my hand over hers. Emery sniffles and she doesn't make eye contact with me.

"What if I'm not ready for this?" she whispers. Her voice sounds shaky and odd. For a moment, I think she's referring to me and her and my heart falters, but then she continues. "What if I shouldn't be leading this acquisition? Maybe someone with more experience should-"

I place my hands on either side of her face and gently lift her to look at me. Her eyes look a little panicked and shiny with fresh tears.

"What are you talking about?" I frown. "You're the best person for this job. I promise you."

"I don't think I want to," her voice shakes.

That's how I know she's lying.

"What's going on, Emmy?" I ask.

Emery pushes herself away from me and walks to the window, looking out at the city. She takes a deep breath and I watch her shoulders tense.

"I was thinking...maybe someone with some business experience should take over."

"You have experience, baby."

"What about Bill O'Connell?" she asks suddenly, sounding slightly panicked.

For a moment, I feel like I must have misheard her.

I cock my head to the side and stare at her for a long moment, willing her to look at me. What the fuck is going on?

"Bill O'Connell?" I repeat, just to make sure I heard her correctly.

"Yes!" she chirps. "I think maybe he'd be the right guy for the job."

I stand up and walk to her, turning her in my arms to look at me. Emery gasps slightly when she sees the seriousness of my expression.

"What does Harrison's father have to do with this? What does he know that you don't about running this acquisition? Emmy...come on..."

"H-he's very smart – you know, with business things!" she cries.

"Is he?" I ask carefully.

That hasn't been my experience, but perhaps Emery Murphy knows something I don't.

I stare at her for a long moment.

Something happened.

I step away from her and get out my phone.

"What are you doing?" she asked, the panic fully unhidden now.

I dial Reggie's number, the guard I had take her home today.