When I finally had no more tears to cry, he let me go. My eyes were red and puffy. I couldn't talk. It was too much for me.
- Are you calmer? – He asked with the sweetest smile. I nodded. – I'm sorry.
-We have to do something... I can't just let her go straight into the arms of an... assassin!
- I'm sorry... I can't let you destroy my brother... you can put me in jail, but I'll never testify or say a word about my brother, Leah. And you have no proofs about anything...
And I started crying again. I laid on the couch crying. Jake gave me a kiss on my forehead and left. I heard the door closing. I had to call Emily and let her know about Sam. I ran to my cell phone and searched for her number.
- Emily, it's Leah.
- Leah! What's going on? You decided to come and have lunch with us?
- Hum.. no.. I.. We.. need to talk.
- I'm sorry, but I'm to have lunch with Sam and his friends. Maybe I can pass at your place in the afternoon...
In afternoon could be too late. Maybe going with them for lunch was a good idea, at least I could try to protect her in case Sam tries to do something.
- Second thoughts Emily. I'm going to lunch with you. Can you pick me up. My car is still at Sam's place.
- Good! I'll pick you in 10 minutes. Be ready! – She said with a happy voice.
As promised 10 minutes later, they were at my door. I got in the car and the ambience was heavy, except for Emily, who was truly happy because I was there. I was sure that Jake had talked to Sam... I needed him to talk, or to let something slip of his mouth, so Emily would get curious and started making questions. Idiot! She can't ask questions or she'll be even more in danger!
- So... Where are we going? – I asked trying to make a conversation.
- I told you already! We're going to that new restaurant called Seth's. They say it's quite good. Fresh fish and nice seafood. You like seafood, don't you babe? – Emily asked Sam. That relationship disgusts me. He didn't bother to answer, he just nodded. I noticed he looked to the rearview mirror more often than he should. Was she checking on me?
He finally got the restaurant. It was a nice place actually. Very cosy and the food was really good. I was glad to realise that Jake wasn't there. At least I didn't have to face him, and it would be easier to talk to Emily if he wasn't always around.
- Shall we go for a walk on the beach? I'm too full and need to walk... – I suggested to Emily, with, what I thought to be a great excuse.
- Great idea! I need to walk a little bit too. – Said Sam. Oh God! Great... Now I called in the enemy... – Shall we go? – He asked laying his hand for Emily.
Sam let himself stay behind to talk to me. Emily noticed and smiled, she probably thought that we were finally getting along, that I had accepted her and Sam together.
- So... I heard you've met Jake... – Sam started. I didn't like the sound of his voice. – I heard that he told you about last year...
- He did. And you will both pay for it. – I tried to sound as much confident as I could. I was shivering on the inside.
- Do you know what will happen to your beautiful cousin if you open your mouth? - I swallowed hard.
- One more reason for me to warn her. She needs to know who she's dealing with.
- Maybe she'll know... and then it will be too late... for her... and for you...
- Don't worry. I can protect myself... and I'll be around to do whatever it takes to protect Emily. – I sounded really convincing, even to myself. Sam smirked. I don't like his attitude.
I couldn't talk to Emily that afternoon. Sam made sure that we wouldn't spend any time alone. He was always around, just in case I decided to talk. It was almost 6 pm when we got to back. My car was still at Sam's place, so they drop me there. When we arrived, I noticed that someone was next to my car... It was Jake!
- What are you doing here? I don't want you near me or my cousin!
- I don't care. I need to talk to you. Get in the car and start driving.
- No... I need to talk to Emily!
- Now! – And he pulled me by the arm inside the driver's seat. – Drive. Let's go to the beach.
- Come on! We just came from there!
- Drive! – He said dryly, that made it more look like an order. – to the beach. It's not so crowded... and we can talk better.
Talk? What did he meant by talk? I don't want to be alone with him in a "not so crowded" place. I parked my car in the parking lot next to the restaurant where I had been a couple hours before having lunch. He grabbed my hand and took me to the beach. His hand was still warm, just like last night, when he kissed me... I shook my head. As far as I knew he could kill me in that beach, and there was I, thinking about kissing him...
- You don't need to get so nervous... I'm just here to talk...
- You are? Then talk! – I ordered.
- Did you think about what I said to you? This morning?
- I did.
- And… - he asked trying to make me talk. - I'm sorry… If I knew I would have done things different. You know… six years ago, our parents died. I wasn't 18 yet, so Sam became my legal guardian. Everything was going great, but one day Sam lost his job, and he was messed up from that moment. He didn't know what to do to the situation we're at. He just couldn't react… We were living on alms from strangers, when we finally found someone that took us in. Esme gave us a roof, food and clothes. She was quite old back then and she died three years later. She left us everything she had, but it wasn't much, and a few months later it was over. Sam had spent it all… So we made a plan. We decided to rob a bank. – my mouth was open but no words came out – It was really simple actually. Sam had a friend that worked in the bank, and he made him give us the key to the back door. We were supposed to in as simple employers, and come out the same way, but with a bag full of money. But Sam did thing the wrong way… His friend betrayed us, and he called the police telling them we were going there that morning. I didn't know my brother was armed. He shot the two policemen that came across him. He did it to protect me… to let me escape… to give me a chance… He didn't care if he was caught, as long as I could run away. But he made it. We were both able to get out of there… alive! We stayed low for a while, but we needed to use that money. Fortunately they don't know the serial numbers of the bills that we took, so they are having a little trouble finding us… We took about fifty thousand, not much, but the enough to bet us on track. I got my own company, of construction raw materials, and that's it… This is me…
He stopped talking. The silence was comforting, but he was expecting an answer from me.
- I won't say anything. But it's not for you! Sam has threatened Emily and I, and if I'm dead I cannot protect her! So don't worry... you're crime is perfectly safe with me. – I smiled ironically.
He smiled back. Oh my God! That smile! Stop looking so sweet, please! I wish to be stronger. I need to be stronger... for Emily. What if they decide to kill her? Hum? I need to protect her... Even if it means to hurt him! We had walked for almost half a mile when suddenly, it started raining. We ran to my car, but by the time we got there, we were completely soaked.
- Let's go to my place. It's just 10 minutes away from here. – He looked at me and saw my suspicious face, and laughed. – C'mon, let's go. Don't make me take you of the can and drag you in this rain.
So I drove, following his instructions. He had a pretty nice house, with an amazing view of the beach...
I appreciate every review. It's important for me. I'm glad you're enjoying the story! :)
I apologised to everyone who didn't like my writing, but I'm still learning how to write everything I want to… I changed some ways… tell me if it works best like this…
