Chapter 18
Killian watched as Emma's eyes darkened and a frown wrinkled her skin. She was taking a defensive stance, legs wide and hands on her hips. He had learnt fast that she was a firecracker when it came to confrontations and he had often wondered if that passion transferred into other parts of her life.
Deciding to move their apparent disagreement out of the foyer and into the more comfortable living room, Killian turned away from her and strode off in silence. He knew that his calmness would irk her and she would be quick to follow him. It hadn't been hard for him to learn what pushed her buttons; she was like an open book to him.
"Don't walk away from me!" Emma demanded.
Killian led her into his living area and turned to watch her reaction to the spectacular views. He watched as her eyes widened, some of the anger draining out of them as she absorbed what he had created in his Penthouse. Killian loved the industrial feel of the timbers and concrete meshed with the original red brick. Emma stalked past him and stood in front of the massive glass windows that over looked the city.
He knew forcing her to stay in his apartment might be pushing his luck just a tad too far but what else could he do? She was vulnerable, even with Graham by her side. Killian's stomach clenched as he thought of the easy going and somewhat flirtatious relationship the two seemed to have forged.
"Why haven't you quit?" The question had been rolling around in his head since the first incident in South Africa. Wouldn't a normal woman have quit a job that put her life in danger?
Emma turned around at his question. The tense way she held herself told him she was still angry but there was a look on her face – determination.
"I always finish what I start." Emma declared as she flopped back into one of his navy couches. She kicked off her boots and planted her feet onto his coffee table. Killian watched in silence as she relaxed back against the plush cushions and closed her eyes. Emma would need convincing that his plan was the best idea for everyone involved.
Emma cracked open one of her eyes as she felt movement against her feet. Killian was sitting on the coffee table opposite her.
"This isn't fair Killian," Emma whispered.
Killian threw his hands into the air and hissed, "What else am I supposed to do?"
"Let me help," she implored dropping her feet to the ground and sitting up. Emma crouched forward and gasped Killian's hand.
"He is determined to chase me. I can help you find him!"
The shooters hadn't cared who they hurt today and the reckless disregard for life really ate at her.
Killian tugged on Emma's hand, his eyes narrowing in consternation.
"I can't lose anyone else!" his whisper was hoarse and she could barely make out his words. They made her heart freeze in torment, she hated deceiving him. Maybe there was a way to give them both what they wanted.
"Look at me," Emma tilted Killian's chin until he was staring straight into her eyes.
"I will make you a deal...but you have to agree to my terms!"
Killian opened his mouth to argue but Emma quickly shot him a filthy look that had him quickly shutting his mouth.
"I will stay here...BUT only if you let me work on this."
His hand began rubbing the back of his neck as if he was agitated with her proposal. The pensive look however made her think he was considering it.
"There are no other options?" Killian questioned grimly and Emma shook her head.
"You will not leave here unless I have approved it!" He demanded and she simply inclined her head to show that she agreed with his term. It was going to be difficult to get her evidence to David. Now that Graham was in on her secret she would get him to do her dirty work for her.
Emma knew that she was going to get restless being shut up in the apartment but if it meant getting back her access to Killian's resources than so be it.
"Miranda isn't going to like this," Emma whispered suddenly. Killian's eyes shot to Emma's and she felt like she was drowning in his gaze.
"It's none of her damn business!" He declared fiercely. Emma felt like he wanted to add more but was holding himself back. She didn't get a chance to question him before there was a discrete cough from the entrance hall.
Graham who had vanished earlier had now conveniently reappeared.
"Sorry to disturb you. May I speak to Miss Swan for a moment?" Graham graciously asked Killian. He gave Graham a quick nod before rising to his feet and making his way over to what Emma could now see was a beautifully crafted bar.
"I hope you know what you are doing!" Graham murmured low enough so no one would be able to over hear their conversation. Emma ensured her back was facing Killian and reached into her pockets. The bullets recovered earlier still there and she had felt like they were going to burn a hole through her clothes at any minute.
Emma handed Graham the glove containing the bullets, carefully shielding her activities from Killian.
"Give me your phone." Emma requested stretching out her hand to receive it. Graham sighed before punching in his security pin and handing his phone over. Emma quickly entered David's details into the phone and gave it back.
"Call David! Tell him the situation. Organise a meet and deliver the bullets." Emma quickly rattled off instructions before taking a step closer to him to reiterate her instructions.
"I need this done immediately Graham."
"I'm not the only one who is good at their job." Graham gave her a cheeky smile before making his way to the elevator.
Killian slammed back rum as he watched Emma interact with Graham. The familiarity between them was eating away at him. He wanted to be the one receiving her smiles, her sparkle. Instead all he seemed to receive was her bite, her wrath. Killian filled his glass again and watched as Emma stepped closer to her bodyguard, there was a twinkle in Graham's eye as he flirted with Emma.
'You should have picked an ugly, disfigured, uncharming man.'
The thought made Killian chuckle and he threw back his latest drink. Emma Swan had seeped into his system and he just didn't know how to get her out. Sleeping with Miranda sure wasn't doing the trick.
'I have eyes everywhere Killian Jones.'
Those words spoken by Gold in one of their encounters had been easily shrugged off. He had nothing to hide so there was no point in worrying about Gold's so called 'spies'.
The words were now causing him a great deal of worry. He had a gut clenching feeling that Emma had not been targeted for her involvement in researching the sabotage.
Gold was trying to hit him where it hurt the most - His heart.
Emma watched as a brooding Killian knocked back several shots of alcohol. He seemed stuck in his thoughts and from the frown lines marring his forehead, the thoughts were not the happy kind.
"You got another glass?"
Killian pushed over another glass and filled it for her. Emma quickly tossed back the alcohol, it was top shelf and smooth but still gave a slight burn. Her glass was immediately topped back up.
"Trying to get me drunk?"
Killian looked confused for a moment and then a slight smile graced his lips.
"If you were any other woman than I would say yes." He responded cryptically.
Emma's eyes widened and she quickly downed her alcohol.
"Write a list of things you need and I will get Robin to get you anything you require."
She nodded and took another drink, "What about..."
Killian knew exactly what she was referring to as he quickly told her that he would have someone deliver all of her paperwork and added that he would set up a small office for her to work from. Anything she needed as long as she held up her end of the bargain. Emma simply bit her tongue and agreed.
"Where am I going to stay?" Emma questioned eager to escape from Killian's intoxicating presence. She wasn't sure what was having more effect on her – the alcohol or Killian's aftershave.
"Choose a room. I have many." He waved his hands towards the roof, indicating they were all located on a second level.
"Cheers," Emma took her last drink before she swayed forward slightly, watching as Killian's pupil's dilated. Her liquid courage was doing nothing to help her and she pulled away awkwardly and stumbled off towards the entrance hallway.
"That way love," Killian called out, pointing to Emma's left. She scooped up her handbag and made off in the direction Killian had indicated.
Climbing the spiral staircase, the second level was just as impressive as the first. She was slowly absorbing the decor and had decided that Killian's home had a distinctly nautical theme about it, which wasn't surprising given the career he was in. The artwork and relics found around his home spoke to his bank balance; Emma didn't think she would be able to afford anyone of the pieces she had seen. She didn't fit in this lifestyle; she was too rough around the edges and broken to fit. Killian had perfected the perfect mask in order to fit – she didn't think she could do that!
She was too tired to peek in all of the rooms and the first one with a bed and ensuite was the one she picked. Tomorrow would be telling and she was going to get all of the sleep she could snatch.
Emma slapped her hand down on her phone. It had been vibrating on and off like crazy for at least 20 minutes. She turned on her side and felt like she had eaten a whole bag of cotton wool, her mouth was so dry.
The text messages were from Graham and David.
'Taken care of – G'
'We need to speak ASAP!' – The one from David indicated that he wasn't happy with her and to be honest she didn't really care. This case was all shades of messed up already and having an ally couldn't hurt. She wasn't about to doubt her decision. She just wanted to get back in the middle of it, forget all of the attacks and track the son of a bitch down.
She had some rough thoughts about what she would do when she tracked Gold down.
He was going to get what was coming to him – one way or another.
It was time to take the fight back to the elusive Mr Gold!
TO BE CONTINUED
