Unbridled and Untethered [The Double Rider Men's Club 10] (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting) (22 page)

She didn’t want to go to the hospital but instead asked to come home with them. They wanted her to go to the police station to make a statement, but she called Zachary to have him there during any and all questions or statements.

Shortly after the police arrived, Clay also showed up at her apartment.

“What are you doing here?” Emma Rae asked. Zeke wondered the same thing.

“You weren’t answering your phone. What’s going on?”

“The third gunman from the bank robbery paid me a visit.”

Clay glanced down at Luke’s abraded knuckles. “And you got a chance to tell him how you feel using your fists.”

Luke merely shrugged.

Clay turned to Emma Rae. “Want to stay at the DRMC tonight? I’ll fix you up a place in my security fortress.”

Zeke suddenly stepped between them, his back to Emma Rae. “Nothing to see here, Clay. Get lost.”

Emma Rae slid her hands along his spine. She said, “I’m sorry, Clay. My time is limited these days. You’ll have to share me from now on.”

“Damn it all. I don’t think I like the idea of sharing you.” But he grinned. “Just make sure I’m at the top of your list of computer clients, Em. That’s all I ask.”

“No problem.”

* * * *

Emma Rae discussed her new limited time constraints with Clay regarding her computer business. She wondered if he might become her only client in the coming months. The idea was certainly appealing. Zeke and Luke stayed practically glued to either side of her, waiting for the police to release her.

Detective Rollins showed up after an hour with his built-in sour expression. They were leaning against her vehicle when he approached. “I hear you had some trouble here.”

Emma Rae was not in the best mood to speak to him. If he said one wrong thing, she planned to call Zachary and let him handle it. The power of having a good attorney at her fingertips emboldened her.

“Yes. There was some trouble. I understand you were parked in front of my house when the third gunman from the robbery broke into my apartment and held me captive.” She resisted the urge to add, “
Great job, nimrod
.”

He didn’t look bothered by what she considered a supreme lack in his skills. “I was watching to see if you were in collusion with him. I got an anonymous tip that he might be looking for you.”

“Great. So you knew he’d come after me? Thanks for the notice.” Her sarcastic tone didn’t seem to bother the detective in the least.

He smirked. “Well, I didn’t know if you were involved with him, now, did I?”

“You should have,” Zeke said. “I told you she wasn’t involved in the robbery at the bank.”

Detective Rollins busied himself with his notebook. “Is that your big head or you little head talking?” he murmured under his breath just loud enough to be heard.

Zeke straightened. “What did you say?” Emma Rae put a hand on Zeke’s arm to keep him from doing anything rash. She knew both Luke and Zeke would defend her. Regardless of any foolish comments made, she didn’t intend to let either of them get in trouble for her.

The detective frowned and shook his head like he didn’t plan to repeat his audacious comment. He glanced over at the open door to her apartment. The stench of whatever drugs Lenny had been smoking still wafted out of her place.

Rollins took a deep breath. “Do I smell illegal drugs coming from your domicile, Miss Madison?”

Clay said, “Don’t answer that, Em. What is your problem?”

Rollins turned to Clay. “Who are you?”

“I’m her friend. And in about five more seconds, I’m going to call her lawyer. I dare you to talk the same way while he’s around.”

Rollins rolled his eyes. “No need for that. Jeez.”

Emma Rae was at a loss for why he seemed to hate her so much. “What
is
your issue with me, Detective? What have I
ever
done to you?”

He shrugged. “Tell me what happened here.”

“I already told you. Pay attention this time. Lenny Boston, the third gunman from the bank robbery, found me and tried to kidnap me because I was a witness. I’m pretty sure he planned to kill me. After you left, he lit up some drugs for courage. Meanwhile, I almost got myself free, but my friends here saved my life when Lenny tried to shoot me.”

“Who beat the shit out of him, anyway?”

Clay said, “Don’t answer that either.”

“Are you one of her foster-kid cohorts or something?” the detective asked.

“No.” Clay’s expression bordered on what Emma Rae considered dangerous. She was glad he was on her side.

“How did you know I was in foster care?” Emma Rae asked as something became abundantly clear. That information was only available in the state where she’d moved from before coming to Ryder. He must have looked it up in relation to her being arrested for the shooting. The prosecutor there also had a bug up his butt about her coming from a life she hadn’t chosen. The rich prick she’d shot had also made his opinion of her past vastly clear. He’d acted like he was doing her a favor by wanting her so obsessively.

“I have my ways,” the detective said quietly. His sudden smug attitude told her that he was not a fan of the system. Well, she had news for him. She hadn’t particularly been a fan of it either.

Emma Rae stiffened her torso. “I’m not going to apologize for being in the foster-care system. I can’t help that my parents died when I was three and left me all alone without a place to go. I don’t think that was their plan.”

“And I’m not going to apologize for knowing that a significant percentage of teenaged hoodlum punks exiting the foster-care system eventually become criminals.”

So that was it. He’d discovered she aged out of foster care and decided she was a criminal. Prejudice ruled his system of beliefs. He was entitled to his opinion, but she didn’t care for his attitude or the way he’d treated her.

“Bite me,” Emma Rae said. “If you don’t have anything relevant to ask, I’m leaving.” She straightened up and took a step away.

“Not so fast.” He reached out as if to grab her, but Zeke, Luke, and even Clay were faster. Zeke and Luke took half a step in front of her as a two-man shield against further harassment.

Clay moved quickly and blocked the detective as a second layer of protection. He then lifted his phone to his ear and said, “Hey, Zachary, Emma Rae needs you again. What can you tell me about the subject of police harassment?”

Rollins smacked his notebook shut, turned on his heel, and walked away. Clay put his phone away. Obviously he hadn’t
really
been on the phone with Zachary.

“I haven’t seen the last of him, have I?” Emma Rae asked.

Clay shook his head. “Hard to say. Although I did enjoy the expression on his face when you said, ‘Bite me.’”

She laughed. “I meant it, too.”

“Of that I have no doubt. But in the meantime, Zachary will make sure your future contact with him is minimal. I’ll actually call him later and let him know about today’s events. We’ll let him deal with this particular law officer and his biased attitude.”

“Thanks. That would be great.”

Clay turned and smiled. “Just remember, I’m your best and favorite client.”

Emma Rae moved closer and caught his gaze. “You always have been, and you always will be, as far as I’m concerned.” They did a quick fist bump, making her two men smile.

Luke grabbed her hand. “Let’s get you home. We can get the rest of your things later.”

“That’s the best idea I’ve heard all day.” With the exception of a few items from her business, she could have simply left it all behind. She had two men who loved her, and that was all she needed.

Before another hour had gone by, she had arrived home, showered, and wore borrowed, comfy clothes. After steaming away the day’s difficulties, she found a comfortable lounge chair, kicked her feet up, sipped hot, sweet tea, and gazed in the direction of the afternoon sun sinking ever closer toward the large mountain range. Seated between her men on the large porch attached to the back of their house, Emma Rae audibly sighed in contentment.

“Clay called a minute ago,” Luke remarked casually, and then sipped from a highball glass filled with amber liquid.

“Oh yeah? What did he want?” Zeke asked.

“Just to let me know that he called in a favor from a law enforcement friend of his.”

“The police commissioner?” Zeke asked.

“Yep.”

“Clay knows the police commissioner?” Emma Rae asked. She hadn’t realized how well connected the members of the DRMC were.

Luke nodded. “He and Clay used to be in the military together a long time ago or something.”

Zeke drained the glass of whatever he was drinking and asked, “What favor did Clay get from the commissioner this time?”

Luke laughed. “He got Detective Rollins transferred out of town.”

Emma Rae lowered her tea cup from her lips. “Really? How’d he do that?”

“Don’t know. He didn’t say. He just wanted to let you know that your life would be harassment free from now on.”

“That’s a huge relief. I’ll have to thank him with computer upgrades to his system.” Her whole body relaxed with the knowledge. She hadn’t realized how much the detective’s prejudice bothered her. She lifted her cup to take a sip of tea once more.

“One other thing, Lenny Boston was charged with murder in the first degree while sitting in jail for breaking and entering at your place.”

Emma Rae paused and lowered the tea cup again. “Was the charge for the bank officer that died?”

“No.” Luke shook his head as if in disbelief. “He murdered his drug dealer right before he came over and broke into your house. Not only is there a video of his crime with sound, but also several witnesses have already stepped forward. We won’t be seeing him for a long, long time, if ever.”

“Good. I’d just as soon never see him again.”

Zeke reached out and brushed a palm down her arm and settled his loose grip around her wrist. “I’d also be fine if you never had to bother seeing or dealing with him ever again. But if you do, we’ll be with you.”

Luke put a hand on her thigh. “That’s right.”

Emma Rae took a deep sip of the flavorful calming tea and sighed with happiness.

“I love this view,” she said without taking her focus from the mountains.

Luke kissed her cheek. “I’m glad.”

Zeke kissed her other cheek and patted her leg. “Me, too.”

Her mind wandered to nothing specific, but then a wisp of memory regarding some unsettled business popped up and waved a warning flag in her mind.

“Wait a minute. I just remembered something,” Emma Rae put a significant amount of alarm in her tone to get their undivided attention.

“What?” they said at the same time. Both of them sat straight up in their chairs.

“Empty your pockets. Both of you.”

Zeke frowned as he stood. Without hesitation or questioning her request, he pulled out a phone, his wallet, his keys, some loose change, and an unopened package of gum. Piling them on the small table next to her cup of tea, Zeke gave her a puzzled look.

Luke did the same thing, piling up a similar list of things next to Zeke’s pocket contents. After a couple of seconds he started smiling. “I know what you want,” he said and chuckled.

“Tell me.” Zeke’s bewildered expression had her grinning even wider.

“Luke told me something on the phone. I wanted to know if it was really true.”

Luke pulled a small ring box out of his pants pocket. “Good thing I didn’t lose it in the fight earlier.”

“Good thing,” Emma Rae agreed. “So can I see it?”

Both Zeke and Luke shared a meaningful look. Without warning, they each fell to one knee beside her chair. “Will you marry us?” they asked.

Luke popped the ring box open to a stunning oval solitaire as big as her fingernail. “That’s a huge ring,” she murmured. “And it’s beautiful.”

“What to try it on?” Luke asked.

“Yes.” She reached for the box and pulled the ring loose from the dark-blue velvet slit where it rested. She’d never expected to get married. She’d also never given much thought to what she’d like for a ring if the opportunity ever came up. She didn’t even remember ever trying on an engagement ring in her life.

Emma Rae slipped the ring onto her left ring finger and held her hand up to admire the sparkly diamond. It fit like it had been made for her. The ring was absolutely perfect.

“Is that also the answer to our question?” Luke asked quietly.

She looked away from the ring and into her men’s eyes. “Yes.”

Two months later

Luke stepped inside the cool confines of the house after spending a hot, sweaty early morning in the barn with an obstinate horse. His patience was used up, and he dearly wanted to simply shed all his clothing and take a long shower.

Before he even made it to the stairs, he walked by the room Emma Rae used for her business. The door was open about a foot, and when he glanced inside as he strode by, he saw her in a short, sheer silky robe dancing around to music only she could hear. He paused and reversed his course. With her MP3 player in one hand and wires leading from it to her ears, she continued swaying to the beat of whatever song she listened to.