Chapter 11 Vanished
The scent of alcohol radiated from Emma as we drove through the city streets. Her blonde hair was slightly disheveled, and her eyes had that glazed, mischievous look that appeared whenever she'd been drinking. The streetlights cast alternating shadows across her face, highlighting her flushed cheeks and the slight curl of her lips into a perpetual half-smile.
"You had quite a few drinks tonight," I observed, keeping my eyes on the road while occasionally stealing glances at her. She looked beautiful even in this state.
Emma turned to me with a playful grin. She leaned closer, exhaling directly in my face. "Does it smell good?" The sweet-sharp scent of whiskey mingled with her natural vanilla perfume.
I pulled over to the curb in a quiet spot. My pulse quickened as I shifted in my seat to face her.
"Let me check more carefully," I said, my voice dropping an octave. I gripped her chin between my thumb and forefinger, my eyes fixed on her lips that parted slightly under my gaze. "Good whiskey. Just the scent is intoxicating."
I cupped the back of her head, fingers threading through her silky hair, drawing her to me. Our lips met in a hungry kiss, her mouth warm and eager against mine. Emma responded immediately, pressing herself against me, her hands sliding up my chest and curling into my shirt. I wrapped an arm around her waist, pulling her closer as my lips traced a path down her neck. The taste of her skin was addictive – salt and sweetness mingling with the lingering traces of her perfume.
Her soft gasps filled the car as she ran her fingers through my hair, tugging slightly in a way that sent electricity down my spine. Her waist felt impossibly small in my grip, her skin burning hot beneath her thin shirt. The car suddenly seemed too small, too confining for what I wanted to do to her.
I was about to lay her down across the seat when I caught sight of the thermos of hot tea I'd bought her earlier. Reality crashed back like a bucket of ice water. I pulled away, breathing hard, fighting for control.
"Why'd you stop?" Emma pouted, her lips swollen from our kisses, eyes dark with desire. "I'm willing."
I stroked her hair, offering a small smile as I tried to calm my racing heart. "Silly girl, you forgot you're on your period." I handed her the thermos. "Here, drink your tea. It'll help with the cramps."
Emma accepted the tea, her eyes briefly darting to the obvious bulge in my pants before quickly looking away, focusing intently on the thermos as though it was the most fascinating object she'd ever seen. The flash of disappointment in her eyes was both frustrating and endearing.
I laughed softly, brushing the back of my hand against her flushed cheek. "So warm. Did someone turn on a fireplace in here?"
She swatted my hand away, but couldn't hide her smile. "Shut up and drive, Sterling."
Back at the apartment, Emma gleefully flopped onto our king-sized bed, spreading her arms and legs like she was making snow angels on the Egyptian cotton sheets.
I watched her for a moment, enjoying her childlike pleasure, before moving swiftly across the room. In one fluid motion, I flipped her onto her back and pinned her beneath me, my hands capturing her wrists above her head.
Her eyes widened in surprise, pupils dilating as she looked up at me. "I thought you said to wait a few days?" Her voice was breathy, uncertain.
I stared down at her, my mood shifting from playful to serious. "Why did you introduce me as your boyfriend at the bar and not your husband?"
Emma freed her hands from my grip and wrapped her arms around my neck, rubbing her nose against mine playfully. "I'm sorry. I'm still not used to being married. It happened so fast, you know? It won't happen again."
My body responded instantly to her proximity, pressing hard against her stomach. Emma glanced down between us, a flash of heat in her eyes, and I quickly rolled off her, heading straight for the bathroom.
When I returned from my cold shower, Emma was already asleep. Her blonde hair spread across the pillow, her features softened in slumber, looking younger and more vulnerable than she did awake. I slid under the covers, careful not to wake her. Almost immediately, as if drawn by some invisible force, she shifted in her sleep, instinctively seeking my warmth. She nestled against my chest, her head tucked under my chin, one leg thrown carelessly over mine.
I sighed, wrapping an arm around her, breathing in the clean scent of her hair. "Once your period is over," I whispered into the darkness, "I won't let you off so easily."
The shrill ring of a phone sliced through the darkness like a knife. Emma and I both jerked awake, sitting bolt upright in bed. She grabbed her phone from the nightstand, squinting at the unknown number on the screen before answering.
"Hello?" Her voice was rough with sleep, but she became instantly alert as the caller spoke, her spine straightening. "Yes... I understand. I'll be there."
She hung up and jumped out of bed, pulling on jeans and a sweater with urgent movements.
"Where are you going?" I asked, watching her rush around the room, grabbing essentials.
"I have to leave," she said, avoiding my eyes as she gathered her things, shoving them into a small backpack. "It's important."
"Emma, it's the middle of the night. What's happening?" I got out of bed, catching her arm as she passed. "Talk to me."
She paused at the door, finally meeting my gaze. "Please trust me. I can't explain right now, but I need to go. I'll tell you everything when I get back. I promise."
Before I could respond, she was gone, the sound of her car engine roaring to life moments later.
A week passed with no word from Emma. No calls, no texts, nothing. It was as if she'd vanished into thin air. I tried tracking her phone, but it was either turned off or the battery had died. Each day that passed, my concern grew, mixed with a frustration I couldn't quite suppress.
I found myself at Omerta, scanning the crowded bar for any sign of her or anyone who might know where she'd gone.
Megan walked in, her sweet smile faltering when she noticed Emma's absence beside me. "Uncle Alex, where's Emma? In the bathroom?"
"She's been gone," I replied coldly, swirling the whiskey in my glass. "Disappeared last week after receiving a late-night call. I haven't seen her since."
Megan's eyes widened in shock. "She ran away? I thought you two were too busy being lovey-dovey to contact me."
"We're fine," I said firmly. "Do you know where she might be?"
Megan thought for a moment, brow furrowed, then called over the bar owner. "Luca, Emma's been missing for days. Do you know where she is?"
The bald man approached our table, his expression calm and knowing. He nodded. "She's fine, don't worry."
Megan glanced at me, then pressed further. "How can I not worry if you don't tell me anything?"
"She's not in the States right now, but she'll be back in a few days," Luca's eyes shifted to me, measuring my reaction. "Emma told me you two got married. Don't worry about her; she'll be fine. When she returns, she'll tell you what she wants you to know."
I nodded curtly.
"Megan, Jackson and Nick will be here soon. Stay and enjoy yourself. I need to get back to the office." I signaled to Bill, and we left Omerta together.
"What do we know about Luca Vittori?" I asked Bill as we sat in my office.
Bill pulled up a file on his tablet. "Luca Vittori, 28, owns Omerta. The bar has significant social influence in certain circles. While people seeking nightlife and entertainment go to Nick Morgan's Starlight, those needing security and privacy prefer Omerta. There's an unwritten rule: no troublemaking inside."
"Except for Emma," I noted.
"Yes," Bill confirmed, scrolling through his notes. "According to my sources, she once got into a fight there after being harassed. Rather than holding her responsible, Luca befriended her."
I tapped my fingers on my desk, considering this information. "Luca was an orphan who came to New York alone. How did he reach his current position?"
