Free Emma Chase by Jen Khan Page B

tight, making me feel like I am in the safest place in the world.  And at that very moment, I truly sense like I am.
    They let me finish having my breakdown.
    I look up at all of them and melt against Braden, wipe my eyes, and see their shocked faces.
    “I’m so sorry,” I say, shaking my head and covering my eyes with the palms of my hands.  “I’m so, so sorry,” I repeat.
     
    Juice kneels in front of me, placing his hands on my knees. “Think nothin’ of it, boss.  You can pay me back with a couple of extra shifts next week.  I just bought a new ride and I need some new rims.” He winks and pats me before he stands.
    They keep staring at me like I am a freak.
    “Stop looking at me like I’m a freak,” I say aloud.
    Braden tightens his hold and before loosening it, standing up behind me and bringing me up with him.  He crushes me to him, my cheek on his chest, his hand cupping the side of my head, and his chin on the top of my hair.
    I close my eyes and breathe deep.
    “Baby, we gotta talk.”
    “Not now, Braden.  Later.”
    He pushes me back slightly nodding in agreement, bringing his forehead down to mine and closing his eyes.
    “Later.  But, we’re gonna have that talk.”
    I put my hands on his chest , then his shoulders, and now around his neck.  I can’t get close enough.  He tightens his hold on me once again and stoops down, links his arm around my knees, and lifts me into his arms.
    He kiss es my forehead.  “I’m taking you home,” he informs me in a hushed voice.
    This is Braden’s protective macho man taking over, and right now, I am so weak from all of the emotion and fight that I can’t argue.

Chapter Seven
     
    It is Friday night and my first day on the job. 
    I am having the hardest time trying to figure out what to wear to work.  All of the bartenders, wait staff, and bar backs wear Holt's tees and jeans.  I, being the manager, need to stand out as such, so I decide on a nice pair of black flare-leg pants, a belt, and a pink button-up short-sleeved blouse.  I go with comfortable black boots with a small heel, because being on my feet for eight hours in high heels wouldn’t do.  I put in some silver hoop earrings and a pink and silver beaded necklace, and I throw my long hair up in a smooth ponytail. 
    I check myself in the mirror of my bathroom. 
    This is something I do every day—first thing in the morning and again at night before going to bed.  This is the worst part of my entire day.
    I do this now ever since the incident .  Ever since that morning when I first saw the damage that had been done to my body by Jose Delgado.  After getting a good look at myself for the first time, I saw that I had not only been damaged, but I was broken.
    Now, as I stare at myself in the mirror, I see changes.  The last few months have been about changes.  Building a new Emma Chase.  I have been trying desperately not to allow what happened to me define me as a person, but some days it is easier said than done.
    That first morning, after I got to Holly’s apartment, I looked myself over and realized that I was now a different person.  The Emma from before the incident was no longer the Emma in this mirror.  I had no idea who I was or who I wanted to be.  I vowed to save myself.  I vowed to never look back.  I vowed to never be the old me again.
    Some women live their whole lives looking for someone else to save them, whether that be a man, woman, or even a child they’ve brought into this world because they were hoping for someone to love them. 
    What I have learned through this experience is that there is no one out there who can save you.  Only you can save you.  It took me years to figure this out. 
    I thought I found my hero in Braden, and in a sense I did, but he can’t fix me.  He can’t fix this.
    Hell, I can’t fix this.  I didn’t bring this on myself.  My father brought this on me.  Sure, maybe he didn’t mean to, but he did so nonetheless.
    I