Chapter 38 Home Early
Emilia’s POV
I nearly dropped my coffee. "What? Mindy, I didn’t—"
"We’re coming to visit you this weekend to thank you properly. Chuck wants to apologize in person—"
"Mindy, wait—"
The line went dead.
I stared at my phone, mind racing. I hadn’t called Mila. I hadn’t asked Titus for help. I hadn’t even figured out how to bring it up to Sebastian when he returned.
So how the hell was Chuck out of federal custody?
The answer came an hour later in the break room.
"Emilia!" Lily rushed over. "I heard your uncle got released. That’s amazing!"
"How did you—" I paused. "Lily, how do you know about that?"
She bit her lip, looking guilty. "Alpha Scott told me."
My stomach dropped. "Scott? What does he have to do with this?"
"He’s the one who helped." Lily glanced around, then lowered her voice. "His father is the chief of police. Scott pulled strings to get your uncle out."
"Why would he do that?" But even as I asked, I already knew.
Lily’s thoughts crashed into my mind before she could answer.
*Because he loves you, idiot. He’s been watching you for two years. When you were upset, he asked me what was wrong. I couldn’t lie to him.*
"Emilia, I’m sorry." Lily grabbed my hands. "I know I shouldn’t have told Scott about your personal business, but he was so worried about you. And he asked me directly. I didn’t know what else to do."
I squeezed her hands, forcing a smile. "It’s okay. I know you were trying to help."
I found Scott in his office, reviewing budget proposals.
He looked up when I knocked. "Emilia. Come in."
I closed the door and stood awkwardly by his desk. "Lily told me what you did. About my uncle."
"Ah." He set down his pen. "It was just a small favor."
I said hurriedly, "Thank you for helping my uncle."
Scott’s expression didn’t change, but his thoughts whispered through my mind.
*I’d do anything for you. Watching you suffer kills me.*
Out loud, he said, "Your uncle made a mistake. People deserve second chances."
He stood and walked around the desk, stopping a respectful distance away. "Besides, the evidence was... circumstantial. My father was able to argue for release pending further investigation."
"Scott..."
"You don’t have to thank me," he interrupted gently. "Honestly, I’m just glad I could help."
*Helping you is the only thing that makes this bearable. Knowing that bastard Alpha doesn’t deserve you. Knowing that someday, maybe...*
Scott smiled gently and teased, "You’re just thanking me verbally? You’re being too modest."
"What do you want?" I asked.
I felt uneasy and worried, afraid he might make unreasonable demands.
He thought for a moment and suggested, "How about treating me to dinner? Tomorrow night?"
This request wasn’t unreasonable, but I couldn’t agree immediately. On one hand, I knew Scott liked me; on the other hand, I hadn’t forgotten Sebastian’s warning that night.
"Is that not okay? If you feel uncomfortable, then forget about it," he assured me.
Seeing a flash of sadness in Scott’s eyes, my heart ached. I felt I was being too harsh on him. So I said, "Okay, no problem."
As I left his office, guilt and confusion warred inside me. Scott had helped me without asking for anything in return. He was kind, respectful, everything a woman should want.
But I didn’t love him.
That night, I lay sprawled across Sebastian’s king-sized bed like a starfish, reveling in my last few hours of peace.
His room was perfect. Sleek, modern, with floor-to-ceiling windows. The sheets were Egyptian cotton, the mattress some luxury brand. Everything was organized—books arranged by height, not a single item out of place.
Control freak.
I rolled onto my stomach and buried my face in his pillow. It smelled like him—mint and cedar, crisp and clean. For some reason, that scent made me feel content.
Tomorrow he’d be back. Tomorrow I’d have to return to my own cramped bedroom and deal with his cutting remarks and cold glares.
But tonight? Tonight this room was mine.
I stretched and grabbed my tablet, pulling up a novel I’d been reading. Might as well enjoy this while it lasted.
Around midnight, exhaustion finally pulled me under. I fell asleep with the tablet still glowing beside me.
Cold air woke me.
I surfaced from sleep, confused by the sudden chill. Hadn’t I closed the window? And why did it feel like someone was...
My eyes snapped open.
A figure stood at the foot of the bed, silhouetted by moonlight.
I bolted upright with a strangled scream. "Who are you?!"
The bedside lamp flicked on.
Sebastian stood there in a black suit, tie loosened, looking like some kind of avenging dark angel. His green eyes burned with fury.
"Who do you think I am?"
All the air left my lungs. "You’re... you’re not supposed to be back until tomorrow."
"Clearly." He took a step forward, and I instinctively scooted backward on the bed. "Imagine my surprise when I come home early and find someone sleeping in my bed. Like a guilty Goldilocks."
"I can explain—"
"Oh, I’m sure you can." Another step. His eyes raked over me—sleep-rumpled hair, one of his T-shirts that I’d borrowed hanging off my shoulder, legs bare beneath the hem. "But I don’t particularly care about your excuses right now."
My heart hammered against my ribs. "Sebastian, please. Just listen—"
"You defied a direct order." His jacket hit the sofa with a soft thud. "I specifically told you not to enter this room."
"You said I couldn’t sleep in your bed. You never said I couldn’t use the bathroom."
"And does using the bathroom typically involve sleeping in my sheets?" He was at the edge of the bed now, looming over me. "Don’t play semantic games with me, Emilia."
Heat flooded my face. "Fine. You’re right. I’m sorry."
"Sorry isn’t good enough." His hands went to his tie, loosening the knot. "You wanted to be in my bed so badly? Then let’s make sure you get the full experience."
My eyes widened. "What are you doing?"
"Granting your wish." The tie slipped free. "Since you’re so desperate for close contact with me."
"I’m not desperate for anything!" I tried to scramble off the bed, but he caught my ankle, yanking me back.
"Too late to run now, little witch."
His mouth crushed onto mine before I could protest. Demanding, stealing the breath from my lungs. I froze, mind going blank as his tongue pushed past my lips, claiming every inch of my mouth ruthlessly.