Contents
Chapter 4: Emmett
Overview
In a flashback two years earlier, Emmett spots Julia on a singles cruise and recognizes suspicious behavior from a man targeting her drink. Reading the signs, Emmett intervenes, exposes the attacker’s pills, and removes Julia from the scene at her request. The moment establishes his protective instincts and the secret incident that later binds them.
Summary
Two years earlier, Emmett is on a Caribbean singles cruise with his high school friends Dhruv and Caleb over Christmas. He reflects on avoiding his family’s heavy holiday emotions, the grind of the WBRF season, and enjoying a rare break. He notices Julia Silva—rival rider Theo Silva’s sister—dismiss him with a look, reinforcing their mutual disdain.
As the night deepens and drinks flow, Emmett grows bored with easy hookups and keeps glancing at Julia. He studies a man hovering close to her whose fidgeting and watchfulness fixate on Julia’s drink. Julia begins to wobble, and the man seems to anticipate it, steadying her and urging her to drink more while his friends exchange knowing looks.
Recognizing predatory signs from years on the road, Emmett charges over. He pulls Julia against him and shoves the man away. When confronted, Emmett knees the man in the groin and fishes a baggie of pills from his pocket, scattering them across the floor as the surrounding crowd realizes what’s happening. Onlookers call ship security.
Julia, barely conscious, slurs that she doesn’t want a doctor and asks Emmett to get her out. Emmett prioritizes her request over further confrontation, scoops her up, and carries her to his room, ensuring her safety and keeping the matter discreet—an incident that later shapes their guarded, complicated connection.
Who Appears
- Emmett BushTop bull rider on a cruise; notices Julia being drugged, exposes the attacker, and carries her to safety.
- Julia SilvaTheo’s sister; targeted by a predatory man at the pool bar, grows incapacitated, and asks Emmett to get her out.
- Unidentified attackerPredatory man hovering near Julia; urges her to drink; caught with pills after Emmett intervenes.
- DhruvEmmett’s high school friend; toasts Emmett’s coming season and leaves with a woman early.
- CalebEmmett’s high school friend; jokes about Emmett’s ‘game’ and chats with a blonde at the table.