Tangled Love

CHAPTER 59

Jake's POV-

I place her down gently on the bed, the mattress dipping as her sleeping form takes shape. I carried her the whole way home, questioning how I'd ever let it get this far. I sigh and reach for a blanket at the foot of my bed before draping it over her. Her eyes are closed peacefully, mouth parted. I run a hand over my face as I watch her for a few moments —

I need to tell her the truth before it's too late.

My reputation and past mistakes would soon catch up to me and ruin what we both have if I don't tell her the truth. I know I'm hurting her, confusing her further and causing her pain she doesn't deserve. I don't understand why I find it so difficult to simply voice my feelings for her.

Ask me to hurt someone? Easy peasy.

Raid a business and steal everything? Done as quick as a flash.

Tell Emily Wentworth I'm falling for her? Almost virtually impossible.

"What the hell is wrong with me?" I mutter, taking a seat at the end of the bed. I'm careful not to move too fast so I don't wake her, she needs rest. I pull my phone out of my pocket, scrolling down to find Ivory's contact. My fingers tap against the screen as I write out a text message —

Is everything okay at the party?

I send it and drop my phone to the bed before lying backwards. I run a hand through my hair, feeling my body grow heavy and my eyes flutter shut. It's been a long damn night. I glance to my right, my eyes landing on Emily who hasn't moved an inch since I placed her on the bed. The urge to lie next to her, wrap my arms around her and pull her close to me causes my arms to twitch but I decide against it. Moments pass and I feel myself drift off into a sleep, my body beginning to relax . . .

The sound of the front door banging downstairs pulls me out of my sleepy state and I bolt out of bed, on high alert. My eyes widen and I freeze on the spot, wondering whether I'd made up the noise entirely. I hear a shuffle, noises drifting up the stairs.

Ivory and Tobias are out.

So who the hell is that?

I quietly walk over to my wardrobe, prying the door open and reaching for the metal baseball bat I keep inside. My hands wrap around the handle and I pull it out, heart rate increasing inside my chest. I'm fully awake at this point, straining to hear any other noises to indicate who the hell is inside the house.

I begin to make my way out of the bedroom, creeping against the wooden floorboards. As I tip toe down the stairs, I hear faint whispers coming from the kitchen. The door is ajar slightly and I tighten my grip on the bat, ready to break bones if I have to. When I push open the kitchen door, I raise the bat above my head, my eyes wide.

"Jake! Are you crazy?!"

Two high pitched screams fill the silence and I drop the bat to the floor, the metal clanging against it loudly. It bounces a few times before rolling to the side. A low groan escapes my mouth as my eyes land on my mother and Aunt. I instantly drop my murderer act and wince, giving them both an apologetic look. Mum is clutching her heart and Auntie Myra is staring at me in shock, her mouth wide open. Upstodatee from Novel(D)ra/m/a.O(r)g

"Shit. I am so sorry."

I make my way towards Mum, my arms outstretched as I prepare to embrace her. She releases the breath she's holding, looking like she's seconds away from calling the police on her own son.

Eventually she smiles, wrapping her arms around me. Her scent floats through the air and I realise I've missed it.

"What are you doing back here Mum? You're not supposed to be back for another two weeks."

She pulls back and I notice the dark circles under her eyes. "We finished up early so decided to head home." Mum explains, giving me a small smile. I nod my head and turn towards Auntie Myra.

"Where is my welcome home hug?" She scolds me and I chuckle, leaning forward to embrace her. She squeezes my shoulders, almost choking me in her deathly hold.

"Despite almost scaring me to death, I missed you Jake." She tells me, her voice sounding drained of energy. I smile and pull back —

"I missed you too. Sorry about that, I don't want to set heart off." I joke with her, pointing at her chest. She rolls her eyes, slapping my arm lightly. Auntie Myra is a loving woman who shares the exact same features as my mother. Usually they both get mistaken as twins despite Myra being three years older than Mum. Both of them appear exhausted, no doubt from the plane ride home.

I turn the kettle on and take out three mugs from the cabinet, setting them down onto the counter. I'm glad to have Mum and Myra home but I also know I need to tell them about Emily. I sigh, placing a teabag inside each much. I didn't want to tell them like this, not when things between Emily and I are . . . Complicated.

"What's wrong honey? You look troubled." Mum asks, sensing my withdrawn presence. I finish the tea's and pass them to Mum and Myra.

"I need to talk to you both," I say quietly, taking a seat beside them at the table. They both turn to look at me with a worried expression.

"You're not in trouble with the police again, are you?" Mum asks, her tone worried. I shake my head, opening my mouth to explain the situation. Auntie Myra cuts me off —

"You haven't killed Tobias, have you? God damn it, I knew leaving you two alone wasn't a good idea."

I widen my eyes at her, my stare flickering between the two of them.

"No and no. Wow, it's nice to see what you both think I'm capable of." I mutter unhappily. They both give each other a smirk before turning back to me.

"So what is it?”