Repentance (The Darkness Series Book 4) (4 page)

As fast as the mood changed, it flipped back.  Sam didn’t have any more tales to share of him and Hailey.  She was dead.  Gone.  No longer would she be forcing him into any kind of a suit as she was no longer around to crack the whip like she used to.

Brady sensed the shift as well and hurried to change the subject.  “We have a daughter. She’s two and quite the fucking handful if you ask me,” Brady laughed.  He picked up another framed photo from his desk and brought it over to Sam.  It was of the four of them; Gwyn was tucked into Brady’s side, a blonde curly-haired little girl in her arms.  Dane stood between them and although he was smiling; Sam thought there was something forced about his expression.  They made a striking family, despite something being off about Dane; they still put off an air of happiness.

“Her name is Tenley Anne,” Brady said softly.  Sam’s head snapped up at the sound of Hailey’s middle name.  “We both loved Hailey, man.” He brought his hand up to rest on Sam’s shoulder.  “It was important to us that a piece of her live on in our family.”

Sam’s throat started to close, his voice coming out thick with emotion.  “She loved the both of you.  This would make her really happy.  Although, she’s probably looking down at you giving you shit for not naming the baby Hailey.” Sam offered a small smile and handed both frames back to Brady.

“Look, Brady, I can see you’re freaking the fuck out thinking I’m going to ask you for a job or some shit.  I’m not.  Durham Heights isn’t my home anymore and it hasn’t been since the day I lost Hailey.  I wanted to come by and let you know I’m out, simply out of respect for the friendship we once shared. And,” Sam blew out a breath.  “I’m sorry, man.  I’m sorry for putting you in the position that you had to arrest me and testify.  I should have let you in on my plans from the beginning but my cause was too important for me to risk it.”

Brady nodded.  It was true that any kind of future friendship for the two of them was out of the question given what had transpired, but that didn’t mean that he wished any ill will on Sam.  In fact, it was just the opposite—he truly hoped he’d finally be able to find some peace in the aftermath of the hell they’d all lived through.

“I appreciate that.  I’m glad that you’re getting a second chance, Sam.  Gwyn will be happy to hear it as well.  What’s your next steps?” he asked.

“I’m heading to Tennessee.  Roseburn…I was able to secure a carpentry business there.  Guess the owner was looking for some sort of a change.  Gave me a great deal on the name and the business is right on his property.  I’m taking over the whole lot,” he answered.  His dad had played a huge role in securing this new venture for him; had even fronted him the money he needed to legally buy the business name and transfer it all into his name.

“I guess all those hours he made you help out with his business are going to work in your favor then.  This is good, Sam.  I think having a solid plan is the best start for you moving forward. For what it’s worth, I know Hailey would be pleased to see you doing something like this.”  Brady held out his hand and after staring at it for a long moment, Sam accepted it, clasping Brady’s upper arm in a firm grasp.  They’d once been like brothers; but each man was intuitive enough to know that this was the last time they’d see each other.  They didn’t fit in each other’s worlds any longer.  One man on the straight and narrow; the other walking in the dark gray of the shadows, trying to find his way back into the light.  Nostalgia filled Sam and for a fleeting moment, he wished he’d made different choices that day Mila had showed up at his beach house; maybe things didn’t have to end the way they did for any of them.

Shaking his head, the moment passed.  There was no going back, what was done was done and each of them needed to keep moving in the direction their lives were taking them.  For Sam, it was time to say goodbye to his life in Durham Heights—and that included his friendship with Sheriff Brady James.

“You take care, Brady.  Give that sweet Gwyn a kiss for me,” he offered a genuine smile.  Despite the fact anger and jealousy ruled his feelings when he thought of the perfect life that Brady and Gwyn had; he truly did wish them the best.  No one should have to endure the pain of losing the person they loved the way he did and deep down under all the resentment, he was happy they weren’t suffering like him.

“You too, man.  Good luck in Roseburn.”  Brady watched Sam move away and open his office door.  “Sam, wait.” Sam turned back, his brows knitted together.  “Don’t be afraid to open yourself up again.  You deserve some sort of happiness as well.  You aren’t heartless, no matter what you might think.”  His observation was a bulls-eye, but Sam would have expected no less from Brady.

“Just think about it is all I’m saying.  Don’t be closed off to the idea of love again.  If the opportunity arises, take it.  Hailey would want that for you.”  Brady offered the only advice he could, he just hoped it would be enough to show Sam that there was still a chance for him.  Sam left without another word, closing the door on his lost future.

Six Months Later

E
MMA DANVERS STORMED out of her parents’ house after another frustrating argument with her uncle.  The complete idiocy of him was driving her mad.  He still saw her as the same five year-old child that needed help tying her shoes; he refused to see that she was an adult now and ready to make the necessary changes in her life that would bring her closer to her goals. It was her dream to open a small wine room style bookstore.  A quaint home away from home style establishment that would allow consumers the chance to escape from the pressures of everyday life and get lost in a good book and a fine glass of wine. Her uncle blatantly refused to see her vision; instead, he threw out comments such as “doing right by the Danvers’ name” and “her family obligation to uphold decorum.”  Since when had she not been anything but a perfect role model for her family?

When her parents had been killed when she was still a minor, control of the Danvers’ empire had reverted to her uncle, her father’s brother, since they were each fifty percent shareholders in the company.  Now that she was of age and had completed her business degree, she wanted nothing more than to start making a name for herself, to make her dreams a reality. Unfortunately, her uncle didn’t seem confident in her skills.  He thought she needed more time, more experience before jumping into owning her own business. She’d always been level-headed and responsible…all her life she’d been the one considering every option before making hasty decisions.  Some might have viewed this as making her boring; she liked to think of it as practical.  Her uncle’s logic made no sense and quite frankly, it pissed her off.

He’d even gone as far as lining up a job interview for her; apparently she wasn’t capable enough of taking care of that herself.  It certainly wasn’t anything prestigious as far as she was concerned, but once again his faulty logic came into play and he’d explained that by taking the receptionist position at a small carpentry business, she’d learn how to deal with the public in a more relaxed setting, handling situations that would prepare her for being her own boss. Unless she complied and secured and kept the position for at least six months, he wouldn’t release the capital she needed to start up the store.

Furious, she yanked open the door on her small red Mercedes and threw herself behind the wheel.  She’d been so certain that today was the day that she would finally be taken seriously in his eyes.  That he’d stop treating her with kid gloves and give in.  How wrong she’d been about that.  Now, instead of driving into the city to check out available rental spaces, she was headed to the outskirts of town for an interview that she needed to nail if she had any hope of getting what she needed from her uncle.

Pulling onto the main highway, she rolled the windows down and let the heat of the day fill the car.  The wind whipped her shoulder-length brown curls around her face as she drove, relishing in the small feeling of freedom she felt while out on the open road.  She may not have things exactly where she wanted them for her future; but at least in that moment she was the one in control.

While she wasn’t a fan of her uncle’s high-handed manner with her, she knew deep down it came from a place of love.  The family had been devastated when her parents’ passed away.  George Danvers was a well-liked, well-respected man in both the corporate world and in their hometown of Roseburn, Tennessee. Both of her parents were.  When her uncle Henry lost his brother, he’d retreated into his shell for weeks.  Depression had befallen all of them and it’d been months before they all started to heal.  So while she was angry beyond belief with him for his methods; she knew he was only doing what he thought was best.  What her father would have done if he was still alive.

When she reached the address that she’d jotted down on a scrap of paper, she pulled all the way down the drive and cut the engine.  The country home was beautiful, not overly large, it was an all-white beautiful wood home with a generous porch.  Set off to the side was a large warehouse, with a low sign that simply stated
Sam’s
.  Emma had heard about a new man taking over the existing business, but she hadn’t been aware that he’d changed the name.  Thinking about it, she didn’t think she’d ever seen the man anywhere around in town.  The gossip was that he was a bit of a mystery; a man running from a shady past.

Shaking off the silly town chatter, she pulled the visor down and checked her reflection in the mirror.  Blue eyes blinked back at her as she touched up her lipstick, coating her lips in a shiny pink gloss.  Satisfied that it’d have to do, she looked down at her outfit.  She was a bit overdressed in one of her best suits, a black pencil skirt with a matching blazer, but she had wanted to make a good impression on any potential real estate agents she might have had the chance to meet.  Now it would have to double as a presentable interview outfit.  She would have liked to have chosen something a little more downscaled; but that choice had been taken out of her hands.

Climbing out of the car, she headed for the warehouse, her step faltering a little when she heard the loud blast of heavy metal music coming from indoors.  “Great,” she muttered under her breath.  She knocked once on the steel door and when she got no response, turned the handle and pushed it open.  Expecting to find a middle-aged man with a pot belly bent over chiselling away at a walking stick, she was shocked when she was met with a view of the sexiest back she’d ever seen.

Naked from the waist up, a tall, built man with tattoos covering the sleeves of both his arms was currently bent over a work table, working an electric sander over the length of a long slate of wood.  The roar of the machine explained the elevated volume of the music, it was difficult to hear herself think over all the noise in the shop.  Not that she was able to form any sort of a coherent thought after drinking in the sight of him.  A bead of sweat ran down his back and she had to force herself to stay in place and not chase after it with her tongue.  Her pussy complained at her self-control, her thighs clenching together as she stared at him shamelessly.  His dark hair was in serious need of a haircut; it was almost long enough to be tied up in a bun.

“Oh, my Jesus,” she breathed.  If he had a beard…all bets were off.  Even though she’d barely spoken, he must have heard her as his spine stiffened and he suddenly whirled around.  The sander came with him and his quick action pulled the cord out of the wall, silencing the whirling sound.  Their eyes clashed together and Emma took an involuntary step back at the jolt she felt go through her system.  Sadly, he didn’t have a beard but he really didn’t need it with his sexy as hell full lips and straight nose.  Sensation after sensation tingled down her spine as she stared at him; his dark gaze dropped down to her mouth and continued on down her body in a slow perusal.  She was covered from head to toe, but she’d never felt more on display.  Against her will, she mirrored his actions and let her eyes wander over every inch of him.

Dressed in a pair of black sweat pants riding low on his hips, his six-pack was the showcase piece of him as even the front of him was covered in sweat.  Delicious, hot, wet, intoxicating sweat.  He was buff in all the right places and Emma couldn’t help but pray that his package lived up to the rest of him.  She could pull those pants down with just one tug…

“Is there something you want?” his hard voice interrupted her lustful thoughts.  Embarrassed, she flushed.

“I—um, no.  I don’t want you…I mean anything.  I don’t want anything.  This was a mistake, I’m sorry,” she stammered, turning to leave.

“Are you here about the job?” he called out before she had a chance to make her escape out the door. Mortified at her behavior, she took a few calming breaths before turning to face him once more.

“I was, yes.  My name is Emma Danvers…I believe my uncle set this up.” The man nodded before turning his back on her and walking over to the radio to turn the music down.

“I’m Sam.  It’s a full-time position—Monday to Friday.  From time to time I may need help on a Saturday with some inventory, but we can work out those details as they arise.  For the most part you’ll be answering calls and taking orders over the phone, coordinating pickups of finished pieces.  It’ll just be you and me around here so you really don’t need to dress so,” he smirked at her outfit. “Efficiently.”