Loves Mirage Read online

  Emma slowed her pace and looked at Missy. “Your information is good right? No drunken gossip?”

  Missy laughed and stopped in her tracks. She rifled through her bag and pulled her phone out. “Give me a sec. “She stood watching Missy go through what looked like messages. Missy stopped and held the phone up, letting Emma see the images. Emma blinked and took the phone to get a better look. “Holy sh ...”

  “Right?” Missy peeked over gazing at the video. “What a whore, and you think Derrick will be happy knowing his girl is banging a rival group.”

  Emma peeked up to Missy. “Send this to me, this is all I need.”

  Missy nodded and tapped out the numbers as Emma turned and marched on to Derricks. They weren’t far away, and she was feeling confident that her decision to fight for him had been the right one. Emma remembered what Missy had said about guarding her heart. She would have to be strong. Keep Taylor or the others, from getting in the way. Slowing down before turning the corner to Derricks.

  “Missy, am I being a fool?”

  Missy came to a stop and took Emma’s arm and turned her to her. “There are no guarantees with him. It is a tightrope girlfriend. You have to ask yourself are you up for it. To deal with the shattering fall that might come? Like I said, if he busts your heart move on. That’s all you have to lose.”

  For all of Missy’s free for all lifestyle she had sage advice when it came to men. She smirked and looked up the street. “Well my friend, I’m going to find out how tough I really am.”

  That scared her. She wasn’t sure if she could handle her heart being crashed and burned by him. Emma stood looking toward the corner that would reveal his place. With a deep sigh and a quick look to Missy. “Let’s go and see what I’m made of...”

  Before Missy could respond she stepped off and headed to the corner, once she turned it, she stopped dead in her tracks. Close to fifty yards ahead was Derrick kissing Taylor. Her heart crumbled. What ever strength had been in her faded in one blink. The fight and determination vanished. Emma felt Missy’s fingertips on her elbow.

  They said nothing to each other. Both watched as Derrick ran his hands all over Taylor. They couldn’t miss the swooning and how Taylor melted into his muscular body. Emma wanted to run. She wanted to go home and get away from all the foolish stuff. She was a sucker to believe that she had a chance. She took a step back and leaned into Missy.

  “I can’t do this. He wants her and that is that.”

  Missy voice was low and firm. “He has no idea how she is playing him. You can push her out with that vid.”

  Emma could hear the fight in Missy’s voice. She had lost her will to fight. Logic said to go home, find a nice man and live the life you were meant to have. As she started to turn and leave. Derrick looked up and saw her. Their eyes met. His expression was blank. No ‘oh crap I’ve been caught’ look. She looked away and whispered to Missy.

  “I’m done.”

  ~*~*~*~

  Derrick winced. He caught a glimpse of Emma. Taylor was plastered all over him, and there was nothing he could do at that moment. He saw the hurt on her face. Before he could push Taylor away, she was gone around the corner. He felt Taylor tense as he tried to gain some distance. There was no way he could go chase Emma down. Taylor would be all over his back and a huge fight would ensue.

  “What’s going on baby?” Taylor whispered with a sultry tone.

  He looked back at her and forced a smile. “Nothing. I’d forgotten, I have to get to the shop is all.”

  Taylor canted her head. Her dark eyes squinted. “I thought you said the day was mine?”

  He frowned. He did say that but seeing Emma and how it looked to her was all he could think about. There was no way he could let her run off seeing what she had seen. He nodded. “I did, but I’m sorry. I forgot. I got business to take care.”

  When she tightened her hands to his waist he tensed up. She was going to be a clingy pain in the ass about it. “I’ll go with you.”

  He shook his head. “No way. This is my business and you shouldn’t be around.”

  Derrick was hoping she’d catch his drift. The girls that hung around his group, understood they weren’t to get involved in the men’s business. One look to her face he could see the annoyance flash across her gaze.

  “At least you can tell me what business it is?”

  She was pressing. Either she was being nosy or didn’t believe him. Regardless, it was none of her business. He was at the crossroads where this could get ugly fast. He didn’t care anymore it was about finding Emma.

  “Those are the rules, none of you gals get involved. I’ll text you later.” He didn’t wait this time for her to react. He moved off of her and went down the street. He had to keep control or she would suspect something. Once he turned the corner where Emma had seen him, he peeked over his shoulder. Taylor was gone. He felt relieved, and then quickened his pace. There was only one place he could think to go to and that was Missy’s. Was he going to be too late?

  When he got there, he saw Emma’s car parked across the street. That was a relief. The question is would Emma give him a chance? Another chance at that. Derrick admitted to himself he didn’t deserve one with her. She spilled her guts to him and all he did was hurt her. What changed? Did anything change?

  He stood at the stairs looking up to where Missy’s apartment was located. Derrick had to make a decision. He always played the ladies fast and loose. How they felt wasn’t in the equation. He’d been selfish that way. Emma exposed that part of him and he didn’t like what he saw in himself. Emma was it. He knew that deep inside. The problem had been he couldn’t get out of his own way.

  Derrick decided this was do or die with Emma. He bounded up the staircase and could only hope she would listen and give him another chance. When he knocked on the door, he heard the voices go quiet. He held his breath when the door swung open. There stood Missy with a disapproving look.

  Silence lingered between them. Derrick’s eyes swept past Missy and saw Emma standing there glaring at him. He had never felt this uncomfortable in his life.

  Missy shot a look over her shoulder to Emma. “You want to talk to this slime ball?”

  Emma nodded she did. Missy swung an arm open as an invitation. She grabbed her bag and looked at them both. “Don’t tear my place up, is all I ask.” Missy stepped out and closed the door.

  Derrick looked at Emma. Pain and hurt covered her face. Her cheeks were splotched with red; her blue eyes were swollen from crying. He ran his fingers through his long hair, trying to figure out what to say.

  “I’m sorry.”

  Emma snorted with disgust. Her hand waved his apology off. “You’re sorry about everything, Derrick. But you don’t seem to fix anything, especially when it comes to me.”

  He felt the anger in her voice. This was different. To him Emma had been the easy going one. She had been a woman who seemed to roll with the flow, no matter how good or bad. Derrick liked this Emma. She was flashing strength. He didn’t move to her. He knew better than to try the old come on baby routine.

  “You’re right, Em. I have treated you badly and I guess no number of apologies will take that away.”

  She lifted her chin and raised a brow. The defiant look, standing her ground turned him on. He had no right to get all wound up sexually, but this side of Emma showed him a different woman. Sure, she was upset, but it wasn’t weakness. Emma was determined no one would push her around like in the past. He loved this side of her. Where had it been all this time?

  Emma crossed her arms over her chest. He sensed she wasn’t giving ground. This was the make it or break it moment. “Derrick, I love you. I’ve told you that before. I’ve been honest with you. You say all these remorseful things but you don’t change. It’s the same old crap with you. I can’t do it anymore.” She turned away and looked out the window.

  He could tell by her body language she was teetering on the edge. There was a part of him that said leave her alone. Do
n’t push it. He was starting to understand that she was important to him. He wasn’t sure if it was love or what, but he wanted her. Derrick had to figure this out before she walked away, for good.

  She stood there in silence. This was it, and he took those several steps that brought him up behind her. His hands slid to her shoulders and caressed them. The hint of her warm skin sent ripples of calm through him. Derrick pressed his face into her blonde hair. His nostrils flared as the aura of scents filled his mind. In that instant, Emma was all he wanted.

  Derrick felt her ease back into him. It was subtle and he didn’t want to assume anything. No matter all the hurt, foolishness on his part, there was something still there.

  His hands shifted and roamed along her arms that held tight to her chest. “Your right, you’ve been honest with me. I’ve been an ass in return.”

  He kept his face tight into her hair, waiting for a response. There was nothing coming back. Emma didn’t move or flinch to his touch or soft kisses to her head. Derrick took that to be good news. He decided to press on.

  “I need time with you, to figure us out.”

  Those words brought a reaction. He held his breath as Emma twisted around. Her blue eyes burned into him. It was different, the look on her face wasn’t anger or sadness. When her arms pushed his away and found purchase around his neck, a roaring fire burst through him. Each fiber of his being was stretched with heated excitement. His head canted as his own gaze captured hers.

  There was no thinking, no talking as his mouth devoured hers. Her body pushed deep into his torso. He could feel her breast mash into him, her nipples like shards of steel raking into his muscles. His own mounting need hardened. As their tongues fought each other, raging desire consumed him, and he was on the verge of exploding.

  Derrick wanted her. When his hands rode down her back to her ass, Emma arched and lifted herself into him deeper. This was it, no wasting time. He was going to take her and fall in love with her. His heart thrummed; his loins screamed to ravage her. When he cupped her firm ass. She broke the kiss and her palms pushed back.

  He could see the deep rage of passion in her blue eyes. Those soft lips puffed with desire.

  “Go home Derrick, let me know when you figured it out.”

  He was stunned. His body hadn’t caught up with what his mind was trying to process. She was shutting him down. That had never happened before. Derrick stood there blinking and speechless.

  “I mean it, Derrick ... go. Text me when you have your head together, then maybe we can try.” There was a smile on her face. Taking a step back to give them clearance from each other, he nodded. “That’s fair.”

  Derrick wanted her, may even be in love with her. He decided in an instant, he wasn’t going to let his ego mess it up. He smiled and kissed her forehead. He turned and walked to the door, before exiting he peered over to her with a smile. “It won’t be long babe.”

  He left the apartment. Emma stood there with a sly smile.

  “He loves me.”

  Chapter Nine

  Missy

  Missy thought long and hard about what Emma faced in trying to get Taylor away from Derrick. She wasn’t sure her friend had the fight in her to deal with it. Since she knew Taylor and Emma didn’t, she figured she could do it. She’d confront Taylor and that way; Emma would stay clean from the ugliness that might come.

  Missy hightailed it to the Pub, where she felt comfortable in confronting Taylor. When she entered the usual crowd was dispersed over various areas in the bar. Conrad was drinking beer with his buddies, Mikey was hitting on a beach bunny that she didn’t know, and the others were scattered around, drinking or shooting darts.

  No Taylor.

  Missy found her usual place down at the bar, near the end. It gave her a great view. Tapping her nails into the bar until Mikey picked up the hint. She raised her finger and he nodded. Margarita time. She sat their pondering how she was going to do this, wondering what Emma would think and how Derrick would react.

  It could cost her. She knew the right way to handle this, but she wanted to save Emma. She thanked Mikey when the margarita arrived and took a drink. She’d need all the fortification she could get for what she was about to do.

  Tugging her cell out of her bag, she sent the text.

  She sat there and sipped her drink with an eye on the door. It didn’t take long before the door swung open, and there she was, Taylor.

  Missy regarded her, she had to play this right. She needed to gauge every reaction Taylor made when they spoke. She wasn’t going to dally, but Taylor had an attitude that she was all that. When Taylor glanced her way, she raised her hand with wave. A smile opened and gave her best warm welcome she could.

  Taylor’s face didn’t return the same warmth. She strode right to Missy, shoulders back, chin lifted and a coldness of a reptile in her eyes. Missy sucked down the margarita to gather her strength. There had been no doubt that Taylor could be intimidating. When Taylor got closer, Missy broke the heavy silence that was growing.

  “Hey, Taylor.”

  Taylor slipped onto a stool. Parked her bag on the bar top and raised a brow in Missy’s direction. “What’s the deal?”

  Missy sensed a defiant tone. It was like she expected trouble was coming her way. “Get a drink, I want to catch up.”

  Taylor looked down at Mikey and called out for a beer. She turned back to Missy, swiveling her backside around to get a full frontal on Missy. “Okay, got a drink. Let’s not mess around Missy, you never talk to me. Calling me down here tells me something is going down.”

  Missy took a sip of her drink. She was mulling over the best way to broach Taylor and get her out the door for good. She was doing this for Emma, to remove an obstacle and clear the way for her to be with Derrick. Her biggest worry was that Derrick would flip out, and ban her from the crew. It’s a huge risk, but Emma was worth it.

  Emma deserved to be happy. As far as she could see, Taylor had been doing all the harm. She was bad news for Derrick and also the group. Missy nodded slowly, “There is something going down, and it’s you, Taylor.”

  Taylor stiffened and straightened her shoulders. Missy couldn’t help but notice her large breasts and the better than you attitude. No wonder the guys went wild for her, she had a nasty style about her. Total slut.

  Missy squinted and decided to hold the image back for a moment. “Look Taylor, I have information that doesn’t look good for you.”

  Taylor snorted with a roll of her eyes. Mikey placed the beer nearby, Taylor ignored it. “You have nothing but gossip, that your nasty bitch friend has been spewing.”

  Missy could feel her own anger swelling inside her. Biting her lower lip deciding how far she should play this out or go for the cell and show her. She decided to play her and let her sink herself before flashing the evidence. Missy was mad and she wanted to enjoy this moment. “Gossip? Doubt that since your name and phone number are all over the boy’s rooms in Redondo.”

  That wiped the smirk off Taylors face. Missy might enjoy being a bad ass after all. Taylor grabbed the beer and took a healthy swallow. Her dark glaring eyes never left Missy. She had to stay under control. Taylor was the type that could smell fear, she was that dangerous. Taylor’s reaction would be the giveaway on when to put her in place for good.

  “Redondo? What the hell are you talking about Missy? I have nothing to do with Redondo.”

  Missy read her tone to be confrontational. She was going to play the deny game all the way. She was going to try one gambit before crushing her.

  “I know differently about your game in Redondo with the other crew, don’t play dumb ass with me.” She paused sipping her Margarita staring dead into Taylor’s blank look. She had to hand it to the woman, she played the snake perfectly. “You leave Emma and Derrick alone and I won’t say a word about your gang banging the Southies.”

  There was an eerie silence between them. Missy waited anxiously for Taylor to crumble or go wild and attack her. Taylor br
oke out laughing. Smacked her hand on the bar and shook her head as the laugh slowed down. “You’re one stupid skank, Missy. Derrick is mine and he loves me.”

  That love me remark brought out a howl from Missy. “Look who is calling who stupid. He is with Emma right now at my place rocking it.”

  Boom! One for the good guys.

  Taylor froze and blinked. Missy held her breath then went on the attack. “Look Taylor, you’ve had your fun but it’s over. Emma is back and she and Derrick are tight and no one, especially you, will mess it up. Clear?”

  Missy figured Taylor would blow it off but she wanted to test her. Taylor smirked as her fingers toyed with the beer bottle. “In your dreams. He is mine and your drugged-up slut can hike back home.”

  She wanted to fly across the bar and bitch slap her. Emma wasn’t into drugs and Taylor making up stories was ruining her friend. She feared the perception had been laid, and Emma would never shake the stigma Taylor spewed.

  Taylor wasn’t going to go away easily; she had no choice but to drop the real evidence and be done with it.

  “It’s you that’s going home.” She pulled her cell out of her bag, and tapped the screen before turning the phone around to show Taylor the screen. Missy peered up at her and observed her. Taylor watched the video unfold. Her expression tightened as the evidence of her betrayal to Missy’s crew was played out.

  “You’ve got a choice. Disappear right now or Derrick will see this.”

  Taylor looked up; the blood had drained from her face. That hard-core F you attitude evaporated. Missy had her dead to rights. Taylor nodded as she jumped from the stool. “I’ll go. But one thing Missy ... you and I? We aren’t finished by a long shot.”

  Missy held her tongue. Those word shot a worry through her, Taylor could hook up with the Redondo crowd and she might be in danger. She hadn’t thought about that happening. She kept a firm expression as she watched Taylor leaving the Pub. When the door closed, Missy crumbled from all the tension.