"How can you promise me that?" she asked.
"I was raised to always protect those I love," he simply stated.
Emily inhaled as she realized what he'd said. She didn't think he even realized he'd said he loved her. Her heart filled with so much warmth and light, after the total devastation, she felt like it was going to beat right out of her chest.
She snuggled even deeper into Mark's strong arms and fell asleep, feeling comforted by his embrace and the warmth of his words.
Once Mark knew Emily was sleeping he got up and made a few phone calls. The first one was to an old high school friend, who was a classified military man. If anyone could get some answers into who was stalking Emily, it was Chad.
Chad reassured him he would be there within a couple of days. He would find out what was going on and the guy would never harm either Emily or Trevor. Mark smiled at the tone in his friend's voice. He knew he'd made the right choice in calling him.
The next call was to his father. Joseph listened as Mark read the letter. "I'll be right over. I'll call your brothers," was all he said, before hanging up the phone.
Mark went back to the bedroom so he could lie next to Emily again. He didn't want her to wake up alone and panic. He needed to be there for her, to reassure her everything was going to be okay.
Emily woke in Mark's arms and for a moment forgot all about the letter and the devastation. He was pressed up against her back and his desire for her was obvious. She rubbed against him, automatically stretching and pressing her backside closer to his hardness.
"Seriously woman you're trying to kill me," Mark mumbled into her hair, as he kissed her neck and ran his hand gently up her side, to cup her ample br**sts. The peaks hardened instantly at his touch and she wiggled, trying to get as close to him as possible.
"That's the plan," she purred.
He flipped her over and they made love with a sweetness that was beyond anything she'd ever felt before. She was really starting to feel loved by the wonderful man, who she still couldn't believe was a part of her life.
"I would much prefer to stay here in bed with you all day but we have guests," he said to her, as he nibbled on her neck some more.
Suddenly the hours before she'd passed out came flooding back and Emily's whole body stiffened. She was saddened to be brought back so suddenly to reality.
"It's okay baby, I called my family and they are here, so we can all come up with a game plan. We are a family and we protect each other."
"You shouldn't have bothered them with this. You are safe," she said perplexed.
Mark stared at her as if she'd lost her mind. "Do you really think either you or Trevor are any less important than me?" he asked her incredulously.
"I just meant your family didn't have to drop everything because I got some creepy letter," she tried to explain.
"That letter should be taken seriously and we are going to make sure you are safe," he told her with finality. He was far too aware letters like that could lead to grave danger. When you grew up as wealthy as he had, things were always taken seriously and he didn't want her to know how scared he really was.
Emily shrugged, caving in to his demands. "I'm going to shower really fast before heading down."
"Do you need someone to scrub your back?" he asked with a wink.
"Then neither of us would ever get down there," she said. She gave him a quick kiss and then firmly shut the bathroom door behind her.
Mark laid on the bed thinking of each moment he spent with her. He loved her strong will and he loved her kindness. He was falling in love with her. It scared the hell out of him but at the same time it felt right.
He finally made his way down the stairs and was surprised to see his entire family. Not only had his dad come with his brothers but their spouses and children too.
"Uncle Mark," Jasmine yelled and threw her arms around his legs. "You took forever to come down. Daddy said you were comforting Aunt Emily," she said and put quotation marks around comforting, like her daddy had done. She had no idea what she was saying but Mark glared at his brother anyway.
"Isn't my niece a little bit young for you to be teaching bad habits?" Mark asked Lucas.
"Hey I was just telling her what a good comforter you are," Lucas goaded him.
"Quit your fighting, we have things to discuss and people to beat the crap out of," Alex said.
"Language Alex," Jessica scolded him.
"Sorry, Honey," Alex said sheepishly.
"I called Chad. He'll be here in a couple days. I'm not sure where he's flying from but it must be far away," Mark informed them.
"I'm glad to hear he's coming in to help out," Joseph added, with relief evident.