9. Emory

9

EMORY

M y heart pounds, pumping blood through my veins like liquid fire. He literally steals my breath away.

Cole is an amazing kisser. I didn't realize how much I wanted him to do this until now.

But I'm not about to stop him from kissing me. No way.

We come up for air, our eyes meeting. Cole's deep brown gaze draws me in. I've never felt so drawn to a man before. Not ever. I don't feel like I have to make excuses for Cole, like I did with Julian.

"I, um…"

It's the most articulate I can be at the moment. God, that kiss! It seems to have affected Cole as much as I. He seems speechless.

"Cole Drake!"

We both turn to see Diego standing on the edge of the dance floor, flanked by two bodyguards. His grin is ear to ear, but his tone is insistent when he speaks again.

"Stop smooching that chica and come say hello to your old friend."

"I can't leave her alone," Cole says, but I pat his chest.

"I'll be fine," I say. I'm not sure if it's the champagne or the kiss, but I'm feeling a little buzzed. Giddy. There's a conga line starting up and I head in that direction. "Go do your thing. I won't even leave the dance floor."

Cole reluctantly allows himself to be led away. I last about three trips around the dance floor before I need a bathroom break.

When I leave the restroom, I take a moment to absorb the atmosphere. This really is one of the swankiest parties I've ever attended.

But under all of this glitz and glamor, I'm pretty sure I'm in a sea of sharks. There are a few celebrities here, mostly sticking to the sectioned off VIP area. I know I spot Leo and whatever arm candy he has this week. Seth and his buddy Jay, too.

Most of the guests, however, are more the behind the scenes type of movie folks. The people you don't see on TMZ, but who are nonetheless some of the most powerful in the industry. I pick out a few of them I worked for in the past, milling around the room, but I don't go say hello.

I seat myself in the galley and engage in more people watching. I imagine that I can pick out the people who've had dance training, just by the way they move. My fingers go to my lips when I look at the dance floor.

That kiss with Cole was one in a million.

I let out a giddy laugh. I feel like I'm in high school all over again, getting light headed over some guy.

Only Cole isn't just some guy. He's an extraordinary man.

"Excuse me, Ma'am, would you care for some hors d'oeuvres?"

"No, thank you," I reply, without looking up at the waiter.

"Are you sure? They're extra special and tasty."

My heart stops beating for a second, then thuds so hard it almost bursts. Fear grips my very soul. Julian was fond of saying that phrase. Extra special tasty.

I force myself to look up. Julian looms over me, his hair dyed blonde and sporting a pencil thin mustache. I have to admit, if I didn't know him so well I wouldn't recognize him.

"If you're smart, you'll leave now, before I scream," I say, hands clenching into fists. There are tons of people around. Relax. He won't try anything with all these people around.

"That would be a terrible idea."

He pulls his cell phone out of his pocket and shoves it in my face. The screen depicts a chilling scene. Phil Blumbert, the serial killer, poses outside of my older sister Amanda's house.

"I'm sure that I can send a text to my friend Phillip before security tackles me."

Anger briefly overcomes fear, burning inside me like a living thing.

"Security is the least of your worries. You'd better leave before Cole gets back."

He smirks. "Is that your bearded Army boyfriend? I'm not impressed."

"Then you're even dumber than I thought."

Black rage burns in his eyes. If not for all the people around, and the risk of being caught, he would have killed me right then and there. Or given me the beating of my life.

Julian trembles as he speaks, voice and body.

"Listen up, Emmy. Unless you lose the bodyguard and meet me privately, someone you love will die tomorrow."

I can't stop myself from flinching. Fear steals my voice. I'm almost angry enough to risk my own life, but not my family.

"Good girl," he says in a tone that makes my skin crawl.

"What is your problem?" I ask with disgust.

"My problem is with the whole fucking world! Everyone shits on me, constantly. They're all jealous because they know I'm a once in a generation talent! Like Einstein, Mozart, or Kanye West! They all want to hold me back."

I give a surreptitious glance at a nearby security guard. Maybe he could reach Julian before he sent a text. Maybe.

But can I take that chance?

Julian's eyes suddenly become more lucid. Not totally sane, but less insane, maybe.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry," he says, lips pouting like a nine-year-old. "I'm sorry I scared you. Once we're down in Colombia, it'll be different. You'll see. I won't lose my temper anymore, I swear to god! Just wait until you see the place I have down there. It's so beautiful, you're going to love it."

A security guard passes by. He doesn't even look at us, but his radio squawks and makes Julian jump.

"I have to go. I love you, Emmy. I'll see you soon. Be ready to ditch the army guy and make a break for it. Don't make me do something we'll both regret."

"Julian, you're sick. You need help."

"I'm perfectly–"

He stiffens up, and suddenly turns and just leaves. I blink in confusion, mind reeling with fear and rage and everything else he stirred up in me. Why did he just up and leave like that?

"There you are," Cole says, settling into the seat beside me. "I've been looking all over for you…"

Cole takes one look at my face, and his smile fades.

"Where is he?"

I can't speak, but I point.

"I'm on it. Stay right here, all right? Don't move."

He rushes out of the galley. I finally regain the ability to speak and shout after him.

"Cole! He dyed his hair blonde and grew a mustache!"

I don't know if he hears me. All I can do is hope that Cole makes it back to me.

Please, don't let Julian take him from me, too.