“But you’re so young.”
“Remember, I’m twelve years older than your mother. She was born when your grandmother was in her forties.”
“Oh, yeah. I forgot.”
The thought of living on her own scared her, but she was mostly just sad her aunt would never be able to come home again.
Devon cleared his throat. “Louise, was there anything in the will that pertains to your sister?”
She shook her head. “No, she was written out of the will when we found out she wanted to sell this beautiful child.”
“I don’t blame you for that,” he said.
“How are you going to get her out?”
“Several men and I are going to go and throw her out. If we find she’s stolen things, we’ll press charges.”
“Oh, I can guarantee she’s stolen quite a bit since she’s been there. The sooner you can get it done, the better.”
He nodded. “Then it will happen today as long as we have both of you ladies’ permission.”
They both nodded.
“I want to come,” Emma said.
Devon shook his head. “You’ll stay with Lacey. I don’t want you anywhere around her, honey. Your mother has done enough damage.”
Louise spoke up. “I agree with him, Emma. He looks like he knows what he’s doing.”
Devon chuckled. “I do. I worked with Homeland Security for twelve years before starting my own business.” He looked at Emma. “I’ll take you back there tomorrow so we can make a list of everything you see missing.”
“She’ll fight you,” Emma warned him.
“Good. We have a locksmith meeting us over there, and a few of our guys will be putting locks on the windows and doors that need reinforcement.”
“That would be all of them,” Louise told him.
He nodded. “Okay, I’ll make sure they bring enough.”
“How much is that going to cost?” Emma asked.
He squeezed her hand. “That’s nothing for you to worry about.”
“I can’t have you or anyone else pay for things for our house, and I need to get a job.”
“Emma, there’s money in the account that you can use for whatever you need,” Louise told her.
“I know, unless my mom got it.”
“That’s not possible, honey. The bank wouldn’t let her get her hands on an account that didn’t have her name on it,” she said.
“I still don’t want to buy a bunch of things if I can help it.”
Devon cupped her cheek. “Emma, listen to us. Please don’t worry about anything.”
“I can’t let you pay for my house.”
“I should warn you, she’s a bit stubborn.” Louise grinned.
Emma gasped. “I am not.”
Louise raised one brow and stayed quiet.
Emma’s shoulders drooped. “Maybe a little.”
Louise snorted.
“We should get going, Emma. Lacey is waiting for you.” Devon stood and moved the chairs back to where they had been while she hugged and kissed her aunt.
“I’ll come to see you tomorrow.”
Louise shook her head. “How about you just call? Until we know you’re really safe, I’d rather not have you out and about.”
Emma’s heart sank. It was too much to think that she was still in danger. She was tired of feeling scared.
They waved as they left.
Emma hoped it wouldn’t be long before she could come back again. She was the only family she had left.