“What?” She slurred angrily.

“What’s wrong with you?” He growled. I couldn’t think straight.

“What is wrong with me?”

“Are you drunk?”

“Hey, if you need a shirt or something I can grab you one of mine.” A male voice called in the background.

“Who the fuck was that?” I yelled, demanding an answer.

“My friend” She spat back.

“I’m five minutes away. Come outside now!”

“How did you…” Her voice trailed off.

“Here” The male voice said, very close to the phone. Very close to my Emma.

“Thank you” She replied to him.

“I think you should lay down.” His voice was so crisp and clear I knew he was practically on top of her.

“I’m fine” She sounded panicked. “I said I’m fine! Get off of me!” She screamed. I threw the car and park and opened the door to the building she was in. It banged loudly off the wall. I grabbed the man who was laying on Emma and slammed him against the wall. His head snapped back and cracked against it.

“Mr. Honor?” Jeff slurred, confused. I drew back and punched him as hard as I could. Blood sprayed from his nose. I grabbed his shirt and pulled his face close to mine.

“If you ever hurt her again I will kill you.” I stared him in the eye to make sure he knew I meant it. I would have killed him right there if it wasn’t for Emma. I turned and held out my hand to Emma. She slipped her fingers in mine. I grabbed her things and pulled her out to the street. As soon as we reached the sidewalk she lurched forward, vomiting all over the ground.

“Well, I guess you know that you’re not pregnant.” I said quietly. She looked at me for a long minute.

“I knew all along.” She replied angrily. I opened the car door.

“Let’s go” She slid in and waited for me to join her.

“Just take me to my car.” I looked over at her but she stared out of the window. I stepped on the gas and headed across town. I wasn’t going to let her leave without having a chance to explain myself.

Chapter Thirty-Four

I took her to my place. She was angry but I needed to take care of her. I got her a towel and set the water so she could take a nice warm shower. As she cleaned herself up I made her a sandwich to help soak up the alcohol.

She ate quietly barely even glancing my way. When she was finished I took her plate into the kitchen. She sat on the couch with her knees drawn to her chest. I took a seat next to her.

“I want to go home.”

“Give me a chance to explain.” I said, trying to hide my panic. She glared at me. I swallowed hard, trying hard not to show her how pissed off that made me.

“What is there to say?”

“I know you deserve better than me.” I looked at her and waited for a response. She didn’t say anything. “Can I hold you?” I asked, desperate to feel her against me. She didn’t move. I slid closer, wrapping my arms around her. I know she wasn’t happy with me but she didn’t pull away. I laid her back and sighed, trying to find the right words. I pushed back the hair from her face.

“Abby was pregnant.” Her body stiffened against me.

“What?” She twisted towards me, but did not pull away.

“We had just found out.” I smirked at how odd it made me feel.

“You have a…” I shook my head no before she could finish her thought.

“She took the money, remember? She didn’t have room in her life for me and our…” My voice trailed off. Drugs and money were the downfall of my world. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you. I just…couldn’t.” A lone tear escaped my eye. She took her thumb and wiped it away.

“I’m so sorry” She said quietly. I ran my hands through my hair. I couldn’t lose Emma too.

“You’re sorry? Emma, I damn near ruined your life in the short time that I’ve known you.”

“William, everyone has a past. Mine isn’t that great either but it made you who you are today. The man I love.” Her hand slid across my chest to my heart.

“You still love me?” I couldn’t see how it was possible.

“More than anything.” She smiled as her eyes drifted to her hand on my chest. “I belong to you.” She said quietly. I grabbed my hand and held it tightly against me.

“I love you more than anything, Emma. I don’t want to ever feel the way I did when I thought I had lost you forever.” She smiled and leaned in to kiss me. I pressed my lips hard against hers. Mine. “Marry me”