Desire Ch. 33 - Never Thought

[itztigress3]

Chapter 33 - Never thought…
POV: Emily
Word Count: 4467


October 24, 2009; Saturday

My alarm woke me up at 7 sharp; Zac rolled over away from me, pulled the blanket up and curled up. I didn’t bother him, just let him sleep. I got up and went downstairs where Casey was pulling muffins out of the oven and had juice made already.

“You got up early.”

He smiled at me. “I am usually up early.”

I smiled back. “Zac’s still passed out.”

“You wore him the hell out yesterday!”

I laughed. “No, I didn’t. He was far from worn out actually.”

He handed me a glass of juice and then a muffin, which were really good.

“Are you going in this morning?”

“Yeah, I’m not planning to stay long though. A few hours, there is a truck coming.”

“I promise Emily, I will not teach him anything!”

“Did it seriously sound like I minded?”

“Well, no...but still.”

I finished eating and drinking and then went to get dressed. Zac was sitting up on the side of the bed on the phone, looked serious so I assumed it was one of his brothers. I heard him ask if they were sure before I went to the bathroom to find clothes. I changed quickly, brushed my hair, and then went to put my shoes on and he hung-up after I came in.

“Were you planning to walk this morning?”

“Yeah.”

“Then wait for me.”

“Zac, you’re off. They gave you this weekend too.”

He looked at me. “You’re not walking alone, either wait for me or drive.”

I looked at him, his tone was strict and it sounded like he truly meant that.

“That wasn’t Taylor or Isaac was it?”

“No. It was detective Morris.”

“There out?”

“Adam is still locked up but Gary was released yesterday.”

I looked at him. “He has no reason to come after me Zachary, you are divorced and it’s final. Kate even moved back to Georgia. Gary has no reason.”

“That is not the point.”

“I’ll be fine Zachary. If I wait for you I’ll be late, the truck is arriving at 8:30, and it’s already after 8.”

I saw his hand clench at his side but he conceded and let me go, he did however make Casey stand outside and watch me. I left with plenty of time but once I was out of Casey’s sight I did feel like someone was watching me, so I jogged the last few blocks and made sure the door was relocked when I got there. I was scheduled alone today and I oversaw the unloading of the truck and then made sure the doors were locked tight. I took the paper to our office and sat down. I knew I was safe here, so I didn’t worry really. But at 10 the phone scared the daylights out of me, it had been so quite all morning.

“3CG Studio’s, Emily Daniels.” I said.

“So professional, you can just say hello.” Taylor said.

“Na, it sounds better my way. Zac’s not here though if you called for him.”

“Actually, I called for you because I don’t want Zac to hear me and I know you’re alone.”

“Perish the idea that someone be here, he could have come with me. In fact he almost did.”

“Oh? Did he get some genius idea?”

“I wish, Detective Morris called and told him Gary was released yesterday.”

“Maybe he should have.”

“No. I’m fine. So, what is it?”

“Well, Ike and I talked and we called everyone and if you can somehow get Zac to my house about 1 we’d love you forever and ever.”

“Gee, here I thought you loved me already. Are you planning that party you mentioned?”

“Yep. Natalie is picking up a cake at 11 and we just need Zac. It shouldn’t be too hard to get him out of the house. Just don’t tell him why.”

I sat back in the chair. “How about I tell him you called and asked if we could watch Ezra and Penny for an hour while you and Natalie went to the store?”

“I don’t care what you tell him, just get him here.”

“Done, but give me until 1:30, we have company actually. Casey came in Thursday for his birthday.”

“More the merrier! I’ll have everyone park out back.”

“Ok. See you then.”

“Bye.”

I hung-up and kept doing what I was, the phone rang again at 10:30; I assumed it was Taylor again so I answered with just hello. But the other end of the line was quiet except for the sound of someone breathing. I hung-up the phone and shook the idea, but ten minutes later the line rang again and it was the same thing. I hadn’t ever gotten calls here so I wondered if it was just a vendor that was confused. In any event I didn’t answer the next two times and I walked to the front door at 11:05. I didn’t have anything but my phone and keys. I set the alarm and locked the door and turned to head home but I stopped as soon as I looked up.

Standing in the middle of the sidewalk, twenty feet away was Gary. He hadn’t changed all that much since the last time I saw him which was that Monday morning before Zac saved me. His hair was much shorter, he looked a little thinner but otherwise the same. I wasn’t sure whether I should try to scream and run to the house but he was in a position to block me from passing him either way.

I never thought that I’d see him again and I had felt like I would be able to handle it, but at this moment I wanted nothing more than to be inside behind the door or to be hiding behind Zac.

“Emily?” He asked.

I took an involuntary step toward the studio door. “Zac should be out any moment.”

“No he won’t be Emily; Zac is at home with your company. I watched you come in alone and no one has come in or out since you arrived.”

I began to fumble with the keys in my hand, trying to locate the door key I needed without really being obvious about it. He had taken a few steps toward me and I could feel my heart rate increase, feel the pounding in my chest.

“I’m not here to hurt you; I just want to talk to you.”

“Just stay away from me.”

“Your being rude Emily, did we teach you no manners? Do I need to call your father and have him tell you what to do?”

I recalled the last time he wanted to talk I didn’t much enjoy or like the conversation. My fingers finally located the right door key and I made my way quickly to the locks, it took two tries to get the key in and to turn, but as I opened the door he quickly shoved me away. I tripped over my own feet and fell. I didn’t stay face down on the sidewalk for very long, it was far better to keep my eyes on him. I could however feel the blood on my face from my nose.

He calmly pulled the door closed. “You should just calm down. I don’t want to hurt you.”

I slid away from him as the memories I had worked very hard to suppress were brought back to the forefront of my mind. It had been Saturday morning when they sat me at the table for breakfast and he’s said those very words, he just wanted to talk. Yet, every question was the same was I with Zac? Had we had sex? Every time I said no, Adam hit me, they were light at first but the more I denied it the harder they got.

Sitting on the ground I was beyond terrified, he only wanted to talk and that usually meant someone else was helping. His voice was so far away but I could hear my phone ringing, Zac’s ringtone blaring in my mind. I didn’t want to talk to him, I wanted him here.

“It was rude of you to deny something that everyone knew was happening. You cost Kate everything while you got everything you wanted. General Manager now, impressive I guess when your fucking the boss it helps.”

I had nothing to say, just terrified feelings and unwanted memories.

“You should answer the phone Emily. Let him know your ok. He doesn’t need to be involved in this.”

I heard Casey’s tone next, followed by Zac’s again. They both knew I was alone and I was betting the alarm company had called him.

“Surely, you need to answer one of those.”

He closed the gap between us and leaned down, grabbed my shirt and pulling me up off the ground, he put my back against the brick wall of the building. I really wanted to pass out. Yet, it was strange because I saw someone running from the opposite direction of our house I glanced toward the house and I could see Zac running toward us as well. The man on my right reached us first and he pulled Gary away from me roughly, now that he was close to me I could see that it was Paul.

“Get away from her, you have no business pushing her around like that.” He said.

Zac reached us a few moments later and seemed as confused as I was by Paul’s presence. Paul had Gary by the shirt but was just keeping him against one of the trees that lined the sidewalk. Zac came to me seeing as Paul had Gary.

“What happen?”

He tilted my head back and before I could stop him there was a shirt pressed against my nose. I managed to tell him what all happened even with the shirt there.

“Paul?” Zac asked.

“I was coming up the sidewalk hoping someone was here and I saw her on the ground, I knew that wasn’t right but I didn’t see you anywhere so I ran up. Like she said he lifted her up and put her against the wall.”

Gary was oddly quiet and Zac looked at him, his onetime best friend and I knew what he was seeing in his mind, he was recalling the things I’d told him. I prevented another tantrum though by getting a grip of his shirt, he wouldn’t leave me if I was holding onto him and I didn’t see Paul allowing Gary to get close. Casey ran up next and he too was confused as the rest of us were.

“Gary, why are you here?” Casey asked.

“I just wanted to talk to Emily alone. But she wasn’t cooperating with me.”

“You have no business talking to her alone or otherwise.” Zac said.

Casey looked at us. “Would you tell me whatever it is you wanted to talk to her about?”

“Who are you?”

“Casey, I’m a friend of theirs.”

Gary looked at me and I felt the shiver run down my spine and felt Zac tighten the grip he had on me.

“He would tell you exactly what I tell him? He wouldn’t deviate or add words or even leave words out?”

“Casey would tell me exactly what you say.”

“Then yes, I will talk to Casey alone without Paul and without Zac.”

Zac looked at Casey. “I can handle myself with him. Gary you should be aware that I know what you did and like Zac I don’t approve of it. We can step over here where we can be seen but not heard.”

“I think you should just call the police. He hurt you.” Paul said.

God I didn’t want to deal with more police officer right now. Between the stalking incidents and the whole report for the breaking in last time, I was sick of dealing with police. I surveyed the situation, Zac was calm for the moment and so was Casey. Gary wasn’t fighting Paul at all.

“I’m not hurt that bad, shook up more than anything. We are all adults and whatever he has to say must be important to break a restraining order. You can let him go Paul; he will not come near me with Zac here. I am sure he is aware of what Zac would do.”

Gary nodded. “I am fully aware of what Zac would do. I was informed of what occurred in Atlanta.”

Paul seemed unsure but he let Gary go and he and Casey walked down the block far enough away where we could see them, but couldn’t hear them unless they yelled. Casey positioned them so we could both of them.

A police officer did arrive because of the alarm; Zac spoke with him and explained what was happening. He ran Gary but found our restraining order had been expired for months, so he couldn’t legally arrest him for that. The officer left, but Zac assured him if we needed assistance we would call.

Casey was still talking with Gary and by the looks of it he didn’t like much of what he was hearing.

“Why were you here Paul?” Zac asked.

“I actually wanted to ask about using the studio. I called but no one answered the phone, I wasn’t sure if anyone was here but Carrick mentioned ya’lls house wasn’t far from the studio. I just figured I would walk up a few blocks and if I didn’t see your car or a name I’d call and leave a message on the studio line.”

“Yeah, you wouldn’t have found the house. Our names aren’t anywhere outside and our vehicles stay in the garage.” Zac said.

“Baby, I’m going inside I need to get this nose to stop and I need to wash my face off.”

“Ok.” He kissed my forehead and held the door for me. I closed it and he stood in front of the door where I could see him.

Paul’s story didn’t set well with me, first off I had been here since 8:20 and only Taylor and the hang-ups had called, even if he called the studio line I would have seen the line flashing in our office. The second was that I didn’t believe Carrick knew Zac and I lived together and even if he did, the odds of him giving Paul the location was low. So, I decided to call him.

“Hey future Mrs. Hanson.”

“You seriously need to stop; you are spoiling me with that. Before long I’ll be demanding that from everyone.”

“Well, it’s true. You will be Mrs. Hanson soon. Although, you generally don’t call unless there is something, so what can I do for you?”

“Please don’t take this the wrong way, but did you tell Paul that Zac and I lived a few blocks from the studio?”

The line was quite. “You live with Zac? That’s not a rumor?”

“No, that’s not a rumor. Zac and I have lived together almost a year now, we moved into our place about November of last year. Until then we bunked with Taylor and Natalie and my friend Craig or even Isaac and Nikki. Depended on who needed help.”

“Wow, I mean I knew Zac lived close to the studio but he never said you were there also. But, to answer your question no I never told Paul anything about where Zac lived. I mean, I have his address and I know where the house is, but I wouldn’t tell anyone without asking him and now you first. Why?”

“There was a guy that was being rather rude to me and he pulled him away but when Zac asked why he was here, he said he wanted to use the studio and when no one answered he was going to walk a few blocks because you told him Zac was a few blocks away.”

“He asked me if I knew where Zac lived, I said I did but I didn’t tell him where. Mainly because it was after you two left and really, Zac did a number on him and I highly doubt that he would approve of me telling Paul that information. I don’t want to be beaten.”

“Yeah, it didn’t jive with me either. Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.”

I hung-up and went to the bathroom, cleaned my face off and called Taylor. He was worried because they’d gotten an alarm call as well, I explained and told him I would drag Zac over once I got changed and we were done. He agreed and it was fine, Natalie was running late anyway because she had Penny with her. I was coming up the hallway when Casey came in the door. Zac and Paul followed him but Casey diverted me to our office and shut the door in Paul’s face and locked it. Any other time, Zac wouldn’t have agreed but he didn’t say anything, instead directed Paul down the hallway.

“Did Gary leave?”

“Probably not but he and Zac also had a brief chat after we did. Zac will have to give you those details though and I am sure he will. Please, sit down.”

I sat down in my desk chair and he took the stool.

“So, apparently he was hoping you had forgiven him or least wouldn’t react the way you did, he felt bad that he scared you that badly. He said he didn’t mean for you to get hurt or to scare you, but he wanted to talk to you about Adam.”

“Fat chance of him not scaring me, it’s exactly what he did.”

I could see Zac and Paul in the warehouse, talking and getting along. I didn’t like that Zac wasn’t facing me and I didn’t like that Paul seemed to be watching me. Casey gently turned my head.

“I’m over here Ems.”

“Sorry. Go ahead.”

“He wanted to apologize to you for the things he did to you. He knew it was wrong and he knew that he shouldn’t have but Kate kept asking him to scare you into telling, she was terrified of losing what she had. He said a few days before he woke you up he was in the apartment and took photos at the request of Adam. He said Adam suggested the rape, told him what to do and how, precisely how he wanted you to feel.”

I waited; he’d paused for a moment.

“I’m not sure you want to hear this.”

I looked at him. “Unless you want Zac to hold you down while I beat you with a paddle, I suggest you just tell me. I’m grown Casey, I don’t need another father filtering shit for me.”

“Ok. I don’t want that at all, my ass still hurts from the last one.”

He glanced down at Zac and then me.

“He told me that everything they did was Adam’s idea. Kate’s responsible for the idea of scaring you into confessing and that was it. He claims she told him not to hurt you physically, but imply it. But, I can’t validate that. They did contact Adam thinking he was your ex-boyfriend which he told them you were his ex; they didn’t know the extent of how he felt for you until afterwards. He and Adam shared a cell for a bit.”

He leaned on the desk a moment and took deep breaths.

“He said that Adam is obsessed with you Emily. It is not something as simple as he likes you or because your dad promised you to him. No, this is way beyond that. Adam wants you to himself. He said Adam wanted you alone that week and the next so he could break you down, so he could make you be his wife. Gary said Adam talked about you while they were together, memories of you as a baby and a child. Ems, the way Gary described Adam he has been obsessed with you since you were born.”

“Adam has always been around me, he was there when I was born. He lived a few doors down and he was always there because Dad had boys.”

“Well, what Gary wanted to tell you was that Adam would not stop. He plans to continue to pursue you even after he’s out. He also mentioned something kind of weird.”

“Ok, like what?”

“Adam has known your whereabouts for the year. He knew you were at your brother’s wedding, he knew you were at Sonic Ranch, he knew about Julie and Gabby as well. Some of those I can see him knowing about, but like Sonic Ranch he shouldn’t know. Emily, Adam knows where you live and he knows the exact layout of your house.”

I bite my bottom lip. “Of course he does because the man that was sending shit to me is probably the one watching me for him.”

I looked down at the warehouse again, Zac was now facing me but Paul hadn’t moved and he still occasionally looked up. He’d acted oddly about Gary talking.

“Where did Gary go?”

“Truthfully, probably just down the sidewalk I don’t think he left.”

“Go see if he’s still outside please.”

He got up and walked out, returned a few moments later and said he was, so I got up.

“Emily. No. Zac would kill me if I let you go out there.”

“You’re coming with me.”

He didn’t look pleased but came anyway. Gary was leaned against the tree and he started to move but I held my hand up.

“Stay right there Gary, don’t come any closer to me.”

He relaxed against the tree. “Did Casey tell you what I said?”

“Yes. Does Adam have someone watching me?”

“Honestly, I believe he does. He knows far too much about your life now to not have someone watching and reporting to him.”

“Did he say who or give you any indication?”

Gary looked at me and smiled some. “His best friend, someone he’s known for a long time. Probably the man inside with your future husband, but oddly Adam doesn’t know you’re engaged.”

“He should, we’ve been engaged for a while now. It’s even publically posted.”

“He doesn’t know. He’s still under the impression you’re only dating Zac.”

“Is that all you wanted to tell me?”

“Yes. You were very adamant that you and Zac weren’t together when it was clear you were. It’s obvious that he loves you and you love him, but Adam is obsessed with you and he is convinced you should be his wife. Don’t releases any details of your wedding to anyone you don’t personally know very well.”

“Do you know who it is?”

“He only said it was a friend, I suspect he didn’t want me know. I spent a lot of time in the jail church. I knew sleeping with Kate was wrong and that whole living there was her idea, I really wish I had chosen Zac over her. But, considering what I have done to you I know he’ll never accept me back. It’s a mistake that I must live with. I am sorry Emily, I really wish that I can rewind the time and start over. Hurting you that way was not something I am very proud of anymore.”

“Kate moved on huh?”

“Yes. I did speak with Zac though and maybe what I told him would help him.”

I stood there a moment. “I forgive you because I am sure you wouldn’t have done it without prodding from Kate and Adam. But, I don’t want to see you again. I don’t care what you do, where you go, just stay away from me.”

“Understood. I hope you and Zac are happy together, he deserves someone who will treat him right in all aspects of his life.”

I leaned against the wall behind me. “Yeah, Kate didn’t have a chance; she would have been better off leaving him when he saw me. I can’t blame her for wanting to hold on.”

He smiled. “Treat him right Emily, he talked about you a lot. I am sure if she hadn’t faked the searches I am sure she would have never gotten in his pants.”

Casey laughed and I smiled. “Bye Gary.”

I turned and went inside. Zac was standing at the door. Paul was standing there too, Casey came in after me and I walked to Paul.

“Thanks. But I mean Zac was almost there you didn’t have too.”

“Yeah, but I know how much he cares and I am sure he wouldn’t want you to be hurt.”

I tilted my head to the side. “So, Carrick told you where we lived? I’m going to have to have a chat with Carrick. I can’t have people just randomly giving our address.”

“Well, he knows me though. I am sure he didn’t mean any harm.”

“Probably not, but still. Anyway, uh it’s late and I’m sorry Zac but Taylor called earlier and begged me to watch Ezra and Penny for an hour. He and Natalie need to go get something and they don’t want to take them. I told him yes, I figured neither of you would mind.”

“He didn’t call me.” Zac pouted.

“He thought you were here, but it’s cool he got me. Anyway, I said 1 and it’s now 1. So, I need to get home and change shirts and we need to get over there.”

“Ok. Give me your number Paul and I’ll talk with them we’ve been using the studio a lot and I really need to ask their opinion first.”

“No problem.” He said. He called it off to Zac who saved it to his phone and we let him out. Zac relocked and rearmed the studio and we started to the house.

“Emily, what’s up?” Casey asked.

I didn’t say anything until I shut the door to the house and they both looked at me.

“Carrick didn’t give Paul the address, Carrick didn’t even know we lived together.”

“You called him?” Zac asked.

“I was at that studio all morning Zac, the phone rang when Taylor called and four times after that and all of them were hang-ups or breathing. He didn’t call the studio. His story doesn’t add up to me.”

“She has a point Zac.”

“Well, whatever it is can wait. You need to go change.” Zac said.

I went and changed clothes, wondered about Paul. We left the house at 1:35 and I drove even made Zac back out, his present was still in the car from me. I parked in Taylor’s driveway beside their car and we got out. I saw no other cars but I was sure people were here. I let Zac walk ahead of us and for good reasons…