Fire on Fire

23. Sigh, feminists...

Emma watched carefully as Alexander paced the bedroom, this time at least wearing boxers. In other circumstances, she'd have lingered in the sweet and hot memories of the past few days, made of unbridled passion and loving moments – from the kinkiest sex to the simplest Netflix & chill on the couch. Right now, however, he was on the phone with this lawyer friend of his, and his tone was way too intense for it to be good news.

Emma left her head on her knees, bracing them. Part of her felt silly for even believing things would really go her way for once. Every time she looked at Alexander, she saw the brightness of a future that maybe she would never reach.

She'd been out of prison for almost a week now, yet they hadn't heard a word from Nancy. It was odd. Emma was 100% certain that she was either planning something, or had already set vengeance in motion.

The Nancy she knew was resolute and self-driven, the one she'd recently come to know was also ruthless and spiteful. There was no stopping such a person, especially given her connections and resources.

At this point, it wasn't simply about her goals, it was about revenge. Emma still had stuck in mind Nancy's look in court when she was acquitted. The woman hadn't said a word, but her death stare was enough to tell Emma that no, it wasn't over. Nor would it ever be as long as she and Alexander even only thought they could be together.

It would be so much easier, if it was like Alexander thought. Faking the relationship with Nancy for a few months more, meanwhile he would reach the end of his parole; after that, they could go elsewhere, pretty much fall off the radar of anyone that could possibly know Nancy Dorsey. He'd suggested that they pitch the idea to her, she would probably agree, because, in the end, their contract was almost over.

What he didn't know, was that she didn't intend to free him at all. Emma didn't understand Nancy's reasons. As someone that had grown up in a broken family, she knew how much of a toll it took on a child. Nancy was really determined to do such a thing to her own son or daughter?

She probably counted on Alexander's good heart, didn't she? Emma thought, looking at him. That badass façade of the tattooed ex-con may fool most, but she knew him, and, Emma regrettably admitted to herself, Nancy knew him, too.

Nancy knew that, whatever the means with which it would be conceived, Alexander would prioritize the baby, be it only because he, too, knew the consequences of a broken family.

The question was, would Nancy let go both him and their child? She certainly wasn't interested in being a mother, her only aim was to fulfill the high purposes set by her overachieving grandmother.

Chances were, Emma thought, that once Alexander and the child ceased being useful to her, Nancy would just abandon them. And maybe that was a good thing, but the question was, how long would it take?

"Good news." Alexander broke through her train of thoughts once he'd finished with his phone call.

"Really?" Emma wondered, surprised.

He grinned. "That was Byron on the phone."

"Byron?"

"You know, Al's lawyer friend, the guy that was supposed to help you get out of prison, hadn't your almighty ex-boyfriend pulled his knight in shining armor move."

She rolled her eyes, although amused. "Are you seriously jealous of Daniel just because he helped me before you could?" She laughed.

"No ..." Alexander claimed, going to sit on bed beside her, "I'm jealous of Daniel because he's a rich prince charming that managed to get you out of prison by barely snapping his fingers."

"Isn't that a good thing?"

"Not when said prince charming wants you back."

Emma laughed. "Come on ... I would never ever get back with Daniel. Even if you weren't in the picture."

"Is that supposed to make me feel better? Cos it doesn't." He frowned.

She rolled her eyes, moving closer to him. She wrapped her arms around his shoulders, taking the chance to straddle him. "Let me refresh your memories here," Emma said, half smiling, "I kept on sleeping with you even while being torn apart by guilt. When I found out the truth, I didn't get mad at you for lying to me the whole time. I ran away, determined to start over again, in a new city, with a new name, but you came and I followed you. I went to prison for confronting your megalomaniac fake girlfriend, and even though every single fiber of my being is telling me that the worst is yet to come, I'm still not running away." She pecked her lips. "Is that enough?"

He smiled. "Maybe."

Emma grinned, kissing him deeper. "You're the only one that I want. Better?"

Alexander's smile widened as he kissed her back. "I don't know what prompted this ... direct and open approach to your feelings, but I like it."

"I mean ... with everything that happened and will happen, is it really worth it to deny it?" Emma shrugged. "If I'm staying, it's gonna be 100%."

He caressed her cheek. "As nice as it is to hear it, why are you so convinced that things are going to get worse? We haven't heard anything for a week now. And Byron said he talked to Nancy."

Emma frowned. "About what?"

"He says he may have convinced her to anticipate the expiration date of our contract."

"Wait, really? How?" She asked, marveled. Last time their deal had been mentioned, Nancy hadn't seemed at all incline to even only amend it, now she was willing to just let go of it?

"I don't know how, he didn't wanna say. All he said was that he made her an offer she couldn't refuse." When Emma blinked her eyes, confused, Alexander laughed. "I doubt it was in The Godfather sense, but you know, he must have worked his magic. According to Al, Byron is a better lawyer than Nancy. If you compare their careers and their backgrounds, it's clear that she met someone that can give her a good run for her money."

"Hey, Kayla was just as good, she got me acquitted."

"What, Byron can't be better cos he's a man?" Alexander teased. "Sigh, feminists ..."

Emma rolled her eyes. "I'm just saying, Kayla was able to ruin Nancy's plan of keeping me in prison for 15 years."

"Yeah, but come on, that was kinda easy once you got the right judge."

"What?"

"Oh, really, you're gonna tell me that Almighty Daniel didn't grease some wheels?" Alexander scoffed. "From what I gather, his family's wealth is older than Nancy's, which, in high society, counts more than money itself."

"I don't know whether Daniel corrupted a judge or pulled some strings or whatever," Emma sighed, "I'm just glad I'm here now." She left her forehead against his. "And will you stop this wiener contest between you and my ex?" She smirked impishly, pushing him to lie on his back. "Cos, you know, you win hands down."

"Oh, my God, woman, give me a break!" Alexander laughed. "It's been a week! Am I ever gonna leave this bed for anything that isn't food or bathroom?"

"Well," she mused, bringing a finger to her chin, "I do need a shower, I guess ..."

"Say no more." He stood with her in his arms, and rushed to the bathroom.

Emma laughed, feeling, for once, truly happy. Something inside her told her it wouldn't last long, but as long as it did, she might as well enjoy it.