Against The Current

Chapter 30

"Not you!"

Emma was sure that she had misheard the words. There was no way that those were directed at her...not after everything that had happened! If the words were meant for her then she completely ignored them and moved towards the foyer. Her coat was draped over one of the arm chairs and she quickly scooped it up.

Emma winced as she delicately placed her arm into one of the sleeves. She was still feeling the effects from her tumble with Neal in the parking garage but she'd had worse before and lived.

"I mean it!"

The words carried the heavy weight of authority and she knew that Killian's words were definitely meant for her.

"I know you do." Emma responded quietly. She couldn't turn around and face him and for once she felt a little cowardly. Emma knew that all of his fears would be written across his face for her to see. She needed to stay focused. She didn't need to drown in Killian's blue orbs as he begged her silently to change her mind.

Her steps towards the front door were slow but they were meaningful. Begging him to simply follow and not force an argument between the two of them.

"Emma." The pleading tone in his voice had her forcing her instincts down and turning to face him. She took her 'no nonsense' stance with her legs spread open and her arms crossed firmly across her chest.

"Don't do this to me."

Emma kept her words firm, trying to show him that the last thing she needed was him getting in the way. Killian's hand scrubbed against his jaw before he ran it through his hair in frustration.

"You don't need to be there. We can take care of it."

Emma rolled her eyes and turned on her heel, picking up her handbag on the way. She was not going to waste any more time playing these games. He either followed her or he didn't. Either way she was going to scope out the Gilded Bird.

Just as Emma was opening the front door she could here a slight growl from behind her.

"You'll be the death of me Swan."
___________________________________________________________________________
Killian was not happy and he made it very clear to Emma on the drive. They had decided to keep everything between the four of them as they were just doing reconnaissance. The authorities could be alerted later when there was more substantial proof about the club and Gold's involvement.

Emma didn't really need any more substantial proof. She just needed to right time to call in David and the Calvary. They had found the mole and the reason why Killian's company was being cast into disrepute. If they found Gold at the club it would be the icing on top.

They sat across from the club in pitch darkness for 2 hours watching all of the comings and goings.

"Are we going to talk about it?" Killian's voice broke the silence for the first time since they he arrived. Graham and Robin had decided to scout around the side alley and the back entrance which included the delivery dock.

"There is nothing to talk about." Emma told him, hoping her tone of voice might put an end to the discussion before it even started.

"Bloody hell." Killian cursed before thumping his close fist against the door.

"Why do you have this need to put yourself in danger?"

His words hit her and she took eyes away from the club to properly face him. She'd never really thought of it from that perspective before.

"I have always had to look out for myself." Emma shrugged. "If I didn't do it there was no one else."

"There's me now." Killian whispered, bringing his palm up to cup her cheek. His fingers brushed against her skin, his heat seeping in through her pores.

Killian leant forward and brushed his lips softly against hers. The contact sizzled and he had to restrain himself from taking the kiss any deeper. As much as she intoxicated him...it just wasn't the time. Killian allowed himself to slowly and languidly kiss Emma before pulling back and moving back into his seat.

Emma fought off the haze that Killian's kisses caused and returned her focus to the club.

"This is all on the straight and narrow."

"Agreed. They aren't going to be conducting any untoward activities in the front of house." Killian nodded his head.

"Let's find the boys."
____________________________________________________________________
Graham and Robin had not noticed anything shady happening out the back of the club. They noted employees arriving and deliveries being made but nothing that screamed, 'SUSPICIOUS'.

Nobody had arrived that neither man had recognised either. Emma knew from experience that this reconnaissance was a dead end unless they could get inside. She left the 3 men watching from their position and headed back to the car. Her handbag carried all of her essentials in case she ever needed them.

There was a lot of stuff shoved into such a tiny bag and it took her a little to find the lipstick and make up that she knew was in there. Emma knew she still looked a little battered from her run in with Neal but hopefully a little lippy and some thick concealer would do the job.

Emma popped her phone into her back pocket and dumped the handbag onto the floor of the car. She wouldn't be needing it anymore.

She didn't even dream of trying to pass this by Killian. He would definitely stop her! This is what she did for a living so she straightened herself out and strutted down the alley way like she owned it. Talking herself into places with her charming smile and simpering female wiles was something she had mastered long ago.

Emma ignored the whispered and desperate calls of her name as she approached the burly security guard at the door. Graham and Robin would make sure that Killian didn't break her cover.

"Can I help you?" Though the question was asked the tone implied that she should turn right back around.

"It's my first night and I'm a little bit late." Emma made her tone sickly sweet and batted her eyes. The guard looked very sceptical and narrowed his eyes at her.

"I'm always told about the new ones."

Emma gave a small chuckle, "I think I'm a surprise for someone."

She took a stance that showed off her breasts through the top of her coat.

"Surprise?" The guard questioned.

"Um...For a Mr Cassidy...Neal. He's into blondes." Emma threw Neal's name into the mix hoping that he had some clout in the club.

The filthy smirk that crossed the guards face had shivers running down Emma's spine.

"That he does."

"They said if I pleased him that it might turn into something more permanent." Emma whispered schemingly, hoping the guard thought they were sharing secrets.

He nodded and pulled open the heave door.

"Welcome to the Gilded Bird."

Emma smiled and sauntered past the guard and through the door. Not before the guard gave her rear end a good smack.

She was in!

TBC