My Great Escape Led Me to You (Emily Blair) novel Chapter 591

Emily Blair had just stepped out of the bar when a small figure—no taller than her waist—came barreling straight at her, head down and oblivious to the world.

The kid probably hadn’t seen Emily, and Emily herself, lost in thought and looking up at the sky, didn’t notice the little one dashing toward her either.

It wasn’t until the child’s head collided with her stomach that Emily let out a pained grunt, startled by the sudden jolt.

The girl, too, seemed surprised to find someone standing in her path.

Clutching her aching abdomen, Emily looked down at the child. She was a little girl, maybe six or seven, dressed head-to-toe in designer clothes. Her hair was done up in two neat pigtails, her cheeks were round and rosy, her skin porcelain fair, and her features—big, expressive eyes and a perfectly buttoned nose—looked almost doll-like. But right now, those eyes were narrowed in anger, and her tiny face was pinched with frustration.

Though she clearly realized she’d bumped into someone, the girl didn’t say a word. She pouted, looking away as if Emily were invisible, and started to dash toward the bar’s entrance.

Before the pain in her stomach had fully faded, Emily instinctively reached out and pressed her hands down on the girl’s shoulders.

“Hey, hey—hold on a second.”

She pulled the little girl back. “This is a bar, not a place for kids. Where are your parents?”

The girl wriggled furiously, slippery as an eel, her gaze fixed on the bar as if there was something vitally important inside drawing her in.

Emily almost lost her grip, the kid was that squirmy. She quickly grabbed both of the girl’s arms, pinning her gently but firmly in place.

“No going in,” Emily warned, adopting her most serious voice. “If you move again, I’ll call your parents over.”

The girl froze, her wide eyes studying Emily intently.

Emily bent down, brushing a stray curl from the girl’s head. “Scared now?” she asked softly. “This is a bar. It’s for grown-ups. It’s way too dangerous for a kid to wander in. Do you understand?”

Suddenly, the girl raised her voice. “You go!”

Emily blinked, confused. “What did you say?”

The girl stared at her, insistent. “You go and get my dad.”

Emily’s mind finally caught up. She pointed at the bar. “Your dad’s inside?”

Though her voice was shrill, it still carried the sweet edge of a child’s accent. “You go call my dad out. I can’t find him.”

The girl grew desperate, balling her tiny fists and pounding on Emily’s arm. “Don’t touch me! Let go!”

Emily winced. For such a little thing, the kid packed a punch.

Gritting her teeth, Emily threatened, “Hitting people is wrong. If you hit me again, I’ll take you to the police, and they’ll have a word with you.”

The girl’s bravado crumbled instantly. She pulled her hand back, eyes brimming with wounded indignation. “I just want to find my dad.”

Emily softened, patience returning. “I know. I’ll help you look for him, okay?”

The girl’s voice trembled, her defiance fading. “Really? You’ll really help me find my dad?”

Rubbing her sore forearm, Emily nodded. “Of course. But you have to promise not to run off once we’re inside.”

Immediately, the girl straightened, all obedience now. She slipped her small hand into Emily’s. “I promise. Please, let’s go in. Hurry!”

Emily couldn’t help but think that if she actually managed to find this kid’s father, she’d give him a piece of her mind. Midnight in the city, and his daughter was out here trying to sneak into a bar. Some people just had no sense.