She was already there, waiting. I got out and slipped into the passenger side of her car. I kissed her hard, needing to feel her against me. Not knowing how long I will be able to hold on to her.

“God, I love you.” I pressed my forehead against hers, inhaling her intoxicating scent. “Are you ready?” I asked, holding my breath. She nodded and I wasted no time getting out and retrieving her bags for her. She followed, slipping into the passenger seat of my car. I laced my fingers in hers and we drove off towards the airport.

We arrived early in the afternoon at LAX. I held Emma’s hand as we made our way to the baggage claim. I hadn’t been able to break the physical connection between us for the entire trip. I wrapped my arms around her, pulling her body flush against me. Mine. I was addicted to her. To her touch, her smell. NO one bothered us. No one cared that we were together. We were just another couple on vacation. I pulled her through the crowd anxious to get her alone. The sun was bright and we waited outside for our car. I spotted my driver a moment later holding up a sign with my name on it. I smiled down at Emma and pulled her towards it. “Come on.”

We slid inside, not letting any space between us. Emma was smiling from ear to ear. “What?” I asked, smiling back. Her happiness was infectious.

“Nothing” She said, but her smile didn’t fade. I squeezed her hand. This was happiness. This was love. She was mine and she was perfect. She was in awe of the surroundings. I couldn’t take my eyes off of her. “Have you been here before?” She asked. I swallowed hard and let out a nervous laugh.

“A lot” She smiled again and sunk her body back against mine. I wrapped my arm around her. I didn’t want this moment to end. I had to many skeletons, too many secrets. One day she will run from me. Not today, though. Today she was mine.

We truned off the main road and I knew we were only seconds from reaching my parent’s home. I couldn’t help the nervousness I felt, even though I knew they were somewhere on the other side of the world.

The car pulled up to the gate and the driver punched in the access code.

“Where are we?” Emma asked, craning her neck to see outside. I held her against me. We rounded the fountain in the center of the drive and the car finally stopped. Our driver came to our door and opened it for us. “Go ahead” I said, her eyes full of excitement. I reluctantly let go of her with a kiss on the forehead and she slid across the seat and stepped out into the sun. I climbed out behind her and waited for her response.

“This is beautiful.” She sighed. I grabbed her hand.

“Come on.”

“Our stuff” She motioned to the trunk of the car.

“It will be brought to us.” I assured her, pulling her towards the door. She stoped just inside, taking in the surroundings. It was just like I remembered it. The floor was a white marble with a massive chandelier that hung above. Ahead where two massive identical staircases. It was completely over the top. “Overwhelming?” I asked as her eyes scanned the room. She nodded with a giggle. “I figured after the last few weeks we could really use a nice vacation. Come on. I want to show you our room.” We made our way up the right staircase to my room at the top. I opened the door and let her pass me. She ran her hand over the post of my bed and I felt my pants tighten in response.

“So beautiful” I wrapped my arms around her waist from behind.

“You are the most beautiful thing in this house.” I kissed her cheek lightly. I needed this. I needed every moment with her to be perfect before it all came crashing down around us. I pushed her on the bed playfully and let myself fall on top of her. I traced her jaw with my finger as she smiled back at me. I will miss this. I glanced at the wall at the head of the bed.

“What?” She asked, following my eyes to see what I was looking at. I kissed her.

“I was just trying to figure out how to tie you to the posts.” Someone cleared their throat behind us.

“Your belongings, Sir.” Our driver announced with irritation in his voice. I nodded at the man. “Are you wanting something for lunch?” He asked. I glanced down at Emma and back to the doorway.

“No, thank you. We will be going out for lunch. Dinner still at eight?” The man nodded and exited the room. Emma cocked her head to the side. I slid off of her, reluctantly and held out my hand to her. She took it and I pulled her off the bed. “Hungry?” I asked, wrapping my arms around her back. Mine.

“Very” She said, grabbing her stomach. We made our way to the garage where my convertible still sat. Thank god my mother wouldn’t let my father get rid of any of my things.

“You like?” I asked as she beamed from ear to ear. I hit the alarm and she nodded and slipped into her seat.

We drove across town with the top down, soaking up the evening sun. I took her to one of my favorite secluded restauraunts La Bella. We chose a table by the front window, enjoying the freedom of being able to just be us in front of everyone.

“I could get used to this.” She said and I pulled my eyebrows together wondering what I had done to deserve her. Wondering if money would change her the way it had Abby. She studied my expression and quickly began to explain herself. “I meant being able to be out in public with you. It’s nice.” She reached for my hand. I tried to look more relaxed but I couldn’t stop thinking about what I would do when the other shoe drops. “What is it?” She asked.

“I know all of this is…fun, but it can really destroy someone’s life if you let it.” The truth was, money or not I had already put several nails in our coffin.

“William, look at me. I didn’t even know this part of your life exsisted. I don’t care about any of this. I love you.” She was trying to comfort me. Money was one thing. What about the club, the deaths, the drugs. I swallowed hard and turned my attention to my food. “Do you trust me?” She asked, her eyes full of worry.

“Of course I do.” I reassured her, but I knew she would have no choice to leave me eventually.

“I’m not her.” She said quietly. I pulled my hand back from hers and ran them through my hair.

“Let’s get out of here. I want to show you something.” I didn’t want to talk about Abby. I wanted this time to be about us. She smiled and tossed her napkin on her plate.

“Where are we going?” She asked. I stood and took her hand, grabbing some money from my pocket and tossing it on the table.

“It’s a surprise.”

Chapter Thirty-Two

We drove out of the busy city onto a hilly, wooded road. The top was down and Emma’s hair swirled in her face as the radio blared.

“Almost there.” I yelled. She shot me a grin and squeezed my hand. I loved opening up to her like this, letting her in. I wish I could tell her everything. We pulled off the main road onto a dirt drive. After a few minutes of trees we came to a clearing. I parked the car. “Come on” I said, hopping out and making my way to her to her. I took her hand and pulled her to my side. We stood on the edge of a massive hill, overlooking the city below.

“This is beautiful!” She said softly. I wrapped my arms around her from behind and held her.

“This is where I go to be alone. I’ve never brought anyone up here before.” I relaxed against her, committing this moment to memory. Soon it would be all I had.

“It’s amazing. Thank you for bringing me here.” I turned her around so I could look into her eyes.

“I know I have some serious trust issues but I am trying hard to work past them. I hope you can see that.” Her arms snaked around my neck.

“I love you, William. I’m not going anywhere. No amount of money in the world could compare to this moment right here.” What about lies? What if the hands I touch you with have also taken the lives of others? I pulled her against me and kissed her head. If I didn’t do everything in my power to stop it, she was going to leave me. She just didn’t know it yet. The one thing I hadn’t counted on was her aunt. There was no avoiding the trainwreck that was going to come. I needed a plan. She pressed her lips to my neck ceasing all of my thoughts. I pushed back against her with my hips. Her lips trailed up to my ear sending a shiver down my body.

“If you don’t stop that now, I’m going to have to f**k you right here.” I said, but I already knew it was going to happen. She bit down playfully on my earlobe. I gripped her hips tightly and spun her around placing her face down on the hood of my car. I needed to remind her again who was in control. Her hands spread out helplessly against the hot metal as I undid my belt. She lay perfectly still, waiting for me. I pushed her skirt up her back and slipped her panties to the side. She was already wet for me. I didn’t take time to get her ready for me. I pushed inside of her as she cried out. I f**ked her hard and without mercy. She was mine to do with what I wanted, when I wanted. She f**king loved it.

We made our way back to my parent’s house much more relaxed. The sun was setting and it would soon be time for dinner. My phone rang and I contempleted ignoring it until I looked at the caller I.D. . It was my Mother. I swallowed hard and answered the call.

“Yeah?” I glanced over at Emma who was staring at the scenery.

“William, why didn’t you tell us you were coming to town?” My mother asked. She knew why. If I had known they would be there I wouldn’t have shown up at all.

“I thought you were on location.”

“Your father wrapped up filming early. He is very excited to see you.” Bullshit. My father and I never got along. He always treated me like a burden and my mother never said a word.

“I have to go.” I said and ended the call. Emma didn’t say a word the rest of the drive. I was glad. I just wanted to get our things and get the f**k out of town as soon as possible.

I pulled up to the house and punched the security code into the keypad. My father’s butler was waiting by the door when we arrived. I tossed him the keys to my car and pulled Emma inside behind me. We made our way up the steps and I closed the bedroom door behind us.

“What’s wrong?” She asked, placing her hands on my chest. I glanced down at them and back at her but she didn’t move them. I clenched my jaw but had too many other things on my mind.

“I didn’t know they were coming. We can leave right now if you want, get a hotel room?” I ran my hands through my hair.

“Who?” she asked, soundign afraid.

“My parents” I stared at her, hoping she understood.

“Oh” She mumbled and her hands fell from my chest. “Just take me home.” She turned away.

“Hey” I grabbed her arm and forced her to look at me. “I didn’t mean to upset you.” I said, not bothering to change my tone. She pulled out of my grip, seething with anger.

“If you didn’t want anyone to know about me, why did you bring me to your home?”

“I didn’t know they would come. My father is supposed to be in Ireland on set for the next few weeks.” Why was she so upset. She crossed her arms over her chest. “It’s not that I’m trying to hide you, Emma. I just didn’t want to subject you to my father. He’s not a good man.” She looked me up and down and I realized how stupid that sounded coming from someone like me.

“William?” My father called from downstairs. I stiffened.

“I love you, Emma. I’m not ashamed of you.” I grabbed her arm and pulled her out of the room to the landing.

“There you are.” My father called out. He laughed but it was hollow and empty, much like his heart.

“Dad” I said, flinching at the word as it left my mouth.

“Who is your friend?” He grinned at her like a wild animal. I realized I was digging my fingers into Emma’s hips. There would probably be bruises later.

“This is Emma, my girlfriend. Emma, this is my father, Gerald Honor.” She looked at him for a moment before she realized who he was. Everyone knew my father. He was a very successful director.

“Pleasure to meet you.” Emma smiled.

“I’m sure it is.” He replied arrogantly.

“Well, come on down and greet your mother. She will be happy to see you.” Just then my mother stepped into view.

“William!” She yelled and held out her arms for me. We made our way down the giant staircase and I gave her a long hug.

“Who is this, dear?”

“Mom, this is my girlfriend, Emma. Emma, this is my mother, Martha.” I explained. Emma smiled and held out her hand.

“Pleasure to meet you, Emma.” My mom smiled at her and took her hand.

“Enough of this. Let’s go eat dinner.” My father said, walking away from us.I gave Emma an apologtic look and she smiled sweetly back at me.

We sat down at the dining room table and waited to be served. Several servers brought in our plates of food. No one spoke.

“This looks amazing.” Emma smiled up at the woman who had placed a plate in front of her. The woman smiled back but it soon faded as she caught my father’s eye.

“That will be all.” He said coldly to her and she looked to the ground as she quickly made her way back into the kitchen. He shot Emma a glare and her gaze dropped to her plate. I wanted to leap across the table and strangle him. Mine.

“So, how did you two meet?” My mother asked, as she took a sip of wine from her glass. I slipped my hand under the table and rubbed Emma’s knee. If she hadn’t figured it out yet, my father and mother had a similar relationship to ours.

“At Kippling” I answered, my eyes locking onto my fathers. He held his glass midair for a moment before taking a quick sip and setting it down hard.