Read Online Emerald [Pyrate's Treasure 2] (Siren Publishing Classic) by Cooper McKenzie - Free Book Online Page A

out of the way.”
    Looking like he wanted to argue, Nick took a deep breath and then nodded. Another moment passed before he returned to the bench.
    Emerald looked at the log, but felt too restless to sit down so she began to slowly pace. She took several deep breaths to focus on what he had been saying.
    “So, you think a publisher would be interested in my books? That people would buy them? That I could actually become a published author?”
    Looking at him, she held her breath as she waited for him to answer. He stared at her then nodded with a wide, confident grin. “Absolutely. I think that your books could be the biggest thing to hit the market since the Goosebumps books came out about twenty years ago.”
    She released her breath on a whoosh, but did not know what else she should be asking. So she remained silent.
    “I also think that your stories will be more than just books. Comics, video games, maybe even a movie or television series. The sky is the limit with something. But we need to move fast. I’ve got several publishers who are rabid crazy to have a look at your stories, but unless you agree to let me represent you…”
    “You can’t do anything?” she finished for him.
    He nodded. “That’s right. I have a representation contract in my bedroom with your name on it. All it needs is your signature and I can make you a very rich, very famous, very successful author of children’s fantasy books.”
    “But you have to go back to New York to do that.” Emerald turned away as tears filled her eyes.
    She did not realize Nick had left the bench until hands grabbed her upper arms. She squeaked in surprise as he spun her around then moved his hands to her shoulders to hold her in place. “Yes, I will have to go back, and I’d love for you to go with me. Which brings us to the subject of why you won’t leave the island.”
    Though she wanted to wrap around him like a kudzu vine around a pine tree, Emerald broke from his hold and began to pace again. Instead of back and forth, she walked around the edge of the clearing as she worked up the courage to tell the story that kept her tied to the island.
    Finally, she took a deep breath as she stopped and collapsed onto the bench. Wrapping her arms around her middle, she looked at Nick.
    “The island is the only safe place,” she started softly. “Our parents went on a ski weekend when I was eight. They died when their van got swept away in an avalanche. Grandfather brought us here, telling us we would always be safe and protected here. The only time we left was to go to high school. Several of us were in school at the same time, so during the year we lived with a friend of Grandfather’s who took care of us like a mother would. During that time, guys were always hitting on me, asking me out, but I always turned them down.”
    She began to rock back and forth, her tears coming faster. Nick took several steps, but stopped again when she shook her head at him. “The night I graduated from high school, two of the boys in my class invited me to a party and kept at it until I agreed. I didn’t realize it was a private party for just the three of us until they picked me up and drove out to a secluded beach house. They were both real happy and friendly. I didn’t realize they were drunk before they ever showed up at my door. Once we got to the beach house, they put some hard moves on me and refused to stop when I said no.”
    Emerald closed her eyes and folded forward until her body rested along her upper legs. A moment later, she stiffened when Nick lifted her off the bench. He took her place and cuddled her in his lap.
    She took several deep breaths before she could continue. “I was too scared to shift, but fought hard and dirty and got away. Instead of walking on the road, I ran back to town and hid at the marina until the ferry left the next morning for the island. I haven’t left it since.”
    Nick’s arms tightened around her as his head dropped forward