Shattered Girl (Emmy)

Chapter 176

"Okay, sweetheart, close your eyes," Drew said from the driver's seat. I did as he asked, squeezing my eyes closed and fighting the urge to peek. Jake sensed my struggle because he leaned over my seat and covered my eyes.

"Thank you, Jakey," I said, and he kissed the top of my head in response.

A few minutes later, I felt the car slow down and come to a stop. "Can I look now, please?" I begged, wiggling in my seat with excitement.

"Just another minute or two, baby girl," Josh promised. I heard the doors around me opening and closing, but Jake still sat behind me, covering my eyes. I listened to the back of the car lift and the guys murmuring before the sound of the hatch closing. Finally, after what felt like forever, my door opened.

"Keep your eyes closed, Em," Mike said as Jake moved his hands away from my head, and Mike scooped me up. As he walked, I buried my face in his neck so I wouldn't be tempted to open my eyes. It felt like we were climbing some stairs, and a moment later, he was setting me on my feet, arms wrapped around my waist to keep me steady.

"Now, can I look?"

"Yes," all the guys said at once, and I opened my eyes. I was standing in the cabin of a private plane, and the guys crowded around me.

"Are we going somewhere?" I guessed.

"Yes, but where is still a surprise," Drew said. I threw myself at them, trying to hug them all at once.

"I'm so excited. When do we leave?"

"Just as soon as we are all seated, let's buckle you in," Josh said, taking my hand and leading me to a seat. I sat down with Josh and Mike on either side of me. Drew stopped next to me and handed over my pill and a bottle of water before taking his own seat. In no time, we were in the air, but I still had no idea where we were going.

Josh if they would tell me where we were going. Both of them just grinned at

in Colorado?" I asked, looking back at the guys. None of them answered. They just led me to the waiting car and helped me in. Once our luggage was loaded and everyone was in, I tried again. "Are we going

always come back another time," Jake promised. Then he kissed me, and

and a large porch wrapped around the front of it. The porch was big enough to protect you from the worst of the snow, and I could easily picture us sitting on the porch wrapped in blankets with hot drinks while we watched the snow. The house was at least three stories and had massive windows in the front that I'm sure made the most of the view. It was set in a clearing, but all I could see were trees; no other houses were in sight, and I loved the privacy it offered. I would love to see

there. A large table big enough to fit all of us plus guests was on the other side of the doors. To the right of the front door was the family room with a massive sectional and a huge TV with game consoles. Several large armchairs faced the front windows, giving a fantastic view of the snow-covered forest outside. An

is amazing," I said, spinning to grin at the guys as they dumped the bags by the

sweetheart," Drew said. He grabbed my hand and led me over to the stairs. He pressed on a section of

cool," I mutter,

first door on the left is for extra food storage because we get snowed in. There is also

in. Then, what he had just said registered, and I turned to gape

and he turned back to face

guys and I own this

how?" We had just bought the house outside the city, and

Jake is surprisingly good with money and

safe house," Patrick said, coming up behind us. We purchased it under a company, so none of our names are linked to this place. If we ever need somewhere to lay low or just get away, this is where we will come." He

and I let him pull me through the secret door and back into the main part of the house. The guys were in the kitchen unpacking what looked like enough food to fill a small grocery store, and I went to help. When Jake came in, I stopped what I was doing and went to him, covering his lips with mine and nipping his bottom lip. He growled and held me tighter as his tongue slid against mine. I pulled back and smiled at

told him and grinned as he

you two, come help."

are we doing for dinner?" I asked. "I don't feel like doing anything