CHAPTER 4
NICK
I barely took the time to shut off the engine of my car as I pulled up behind the rental truck that Evie’s brothers must have hired at the airport. I jumped out, ignoring whatever the cops behind me were saying, and stalked towards the truck.
I needed to see her. I needed to hold her and know that she was safe. I had been going fucking crazy all night, doing everything I could, calling in every favor I was owed to try and find her. My chief was pissed with me for not reporting everything and had threatened to fire my ass, but I didn’t give a shit. All that mattered was Evie. I had to find her and I had to do a fucking better job of keeping her safe. She had become everything to me in the time I had known her. I couldn’t lose her.
I ripped the back door of the truck open and finally allowed myself to breathe fully for the first time in hours as those huge wide eyes locked on mine.
“Nick,” she whispered as her eyes filled with tears.
“Hand her to me,” I growled as I reached in for her.
“Just go easy, brother. She’s exhausted and pretty beat up,” Kailan warned as he carefully lifted her into my arms. I pulled her close to my chest and buried my face in her hair, taking in her scent and fighting not to let my eyes fucking tear up at the relief that she was safe.
“I’m okay, Nick,” she assured me as she wrapped her arms around my neck and held me just as tight as I held her. She was trembling hard and as cold as a block of ice, but she was whole.
I forced myself to lift my head, and when I did she buried her hands in my hair and studied my face.
“You’re exhausted,” she told me.
“I’m fine now that I have you safely in my arms,” I promised. “We thought we lost you.”
“You didn’t though. I’m r-right here,” she assured me, her voice trembling. She forced a smile for me, and I leant in to kiss her temple.
“Detective?” I turned and found the two FBI agents I had been working with, at my side. They were working the case of The Number Killer, and Evie was the best lead they’d had so far. “We need to ask Ms. Hastings a few questions.”
“Are you serious?” I hissed. She clearly wasn’t in any state to answer questions.
“Nick, it’s alright,” Evie told me as she wiggled to get free of my hold.
“Fine,” I sighed as I set her on her feet and pulled her into my side, wrapping the coat that had been around her, over her shoulders in an attempt to keep her warmer. “But keep it short. We need to get her out of here. Any formal statements will have to wait,” I added firmly, glaring at the two assholes, and daring them to argue with me.
“Ms. Hastings. We have the descriptions you gave to detective Steel, but can you add any more details to the description you gave of your abductor?” The tall one asked. They were young, not long out of Quantico. Two guys, one tall, one shorter. They were part of a six man team working the case.
“Erm, not really. He didn’t h-have a beard o-or anything distinguishing. I…I’d say he’s definitely in his late thirties. The c-car…it was the blue Camry. Old and rusted. I…I stabbed him so I guess he probably n-needs medical care right now,” she explained.
“Can you tell us what happened?” the shorter one asked.
“He came into the daycare. He w-was dressed like a delivery guy. He h-had a gun and he…he threatened to shoot everyone if I didn’t go with him,” she continued, her voice shaking with each word, but she was trying so hard to stay strong. I was so proud of her. “That’s why I went with him. He made me g-get into the trunk. We were driving for a while. I…I don’t know exactly. I…I pulled the tail light out of the car and broke off a shard of plastic.” She held up her hand and I saw a mess of cuts and dried blood across her palm. “When he opened the trunk I…I attacked him. I cut his throat, but…n-not deep. He was on the ground so I stabbed him…here, in his side.” She pointed to her right side shakily and I pulled her closer in an attempt to reassure her. “He was on the ground…bleeding. I grabbed my cell, which I guess h-he dropped…then I just ran. I found a place…in the woods…t-to hide. I stayed there until just before sunrise, then I st-started walking. We were parked beside an old road. It w-was single lane. I didn’t see any signs. I’d say it was a few miles back, at least,” she shrugged.
“Did he say anything to you?” the tall agent asked.
“He told me I br-broke the rules,” she whimpered.
“The rules he set when he let you go?” the agent asked. Evie nodded as she fought not to cry. “And you still have no idea why he let you go?”
“N-no. I guess be-because I wouldn’t….wouldn’t beg him to k-kill me,” tears streaked down her face and she was shaking even harder against my side.
“Okay, that’s enough.” I cut in. “Evie needs to get home so we can take care of her. You have enough to start searching the woods. Any further questions will need to wait.”
“I’m okay,” she sniffled as she looked up at me, but she was way too pale, her face swollen on one side. She was freezing and far from okay.
“No, you’re not. I’m taking you home,” I told her firmly. I picked her up, cradling her to my chest and climbed into the back of the SUV. It was a squeeze with all of Evie’s brothers in there – or at least I guessed that was who the other three were.
“Everything alright?” Kailan asked.
“Let’s just get her home. The FBI will coordinate the search for that fucker,” I told him. Evie snuggled into my chest and I wrapped the coat tightly around her, then my arms, sighing with relief at the feeling of her tiny weight against me.
“Let’s hope he’s dead,” the huge guy up front sighed, as the other guy started the car.
“I’m assuming you’re Nick?” The guy beside Kailan asked, looking to me with suspicion.
“Yeah,” I nodded. I didn’t miss the way all three of them were glaring at me as I pulled Evie even tighter against me, but I didn’t give a shit. I had almost lost her. I was done fucking around. I cared about her, and I wanted her. If she wanted me too, I was going to find a way to make this work. Her brothers didn’t like that, it was fucking tough luck for them. I may not be good enough, but I would die keeping her safe and always do all I could to make her happy. I would spend the rest of my life just trying to be good enough, if she’d have me.
EVIE
I dozed as we drove home. The car was quiet, none of the guys really speaking, except to make calls to assure the others I was safe and on the way back. Nick held me the whole way, warming me up and assuring me I was safe with the tight grip he kept on me.
I opened my eyes just as the car pulled to a stop in front of the guys house. The front door opened and Harris ran out, followed by Aleks, Kyle, and Kade.
Nick opened the door, and I instantly found myself in Harris’s arms, being crushed to his chest as he kissed my forehead again and again.
“Fuck sweetheart,” he rasped. “I was so fucking scared.”
“Me too,” I told him as I wrapped my arms around his shoulders and hugged him too.
“We won’t let this happen again. I swear it to you. We’re going to keep you safe,” he promised.
“I know you will,” I told him. He set me on my feet and I turned to Aleks, who was patiently waiting beside Harris.
“I’m so sorry, Evie,” he told me as he looked to me with so much guilt.
“Don’t!” I ordered as I stepped forwards and wrapped my arms around his waist. “Don’t you dare take any blame for this. It’s all on that psycho,” I told him. He hugged me tightly back and I sighed in relief as I was surrounded by the scent of his spicy aftershave. I was home and I was safe.
“We can’t lose you, maleńka. You belong here with us,” he sighed.
“I know that now too,” I agreed tearfully. I stepped back and looked to him with an emotional smile. It had been a terrifying night and I was exhausted and aching, but it had proven to me that I didn’t care about what was normal, or acceptable. I didn’t care about timing or anything else anymore. Life had brought me to these four men when I needed it to, for a reason and I was done fighting it.
“Kyle!” I cried when I saw him watching me with some confusion and annoyance. As soon as I said his name he smiled and opened his arms to me, and I ran into them and hugged him just like I had wanted to for so many months. “I missed you,” I told him.
“Missed you too, little bit. I think you aged me ten years these last months,” he laughed.
“Don’t listen to him, Evie. He’s just looking for excuses for how gray he’s going,” Kade chuckled as he came up beside me and ran a hand over my back. I turned and embraced him, sighing in relief when his huge arms wrapped around me. It was good to have all five of my amazing brothers with me, finally.
“And what’s your excuse, old man?” I laughed as I hugged him tight. He laughed too. They were both starting to go Grey. Xander too, but it looked good on them. Cole and Matt were forever giving them shit because neither of them had a hint of gray coming in yet.
“Let’s get inside and light the fire,” Kailan suggested. “Evie was still shivering in the car.”
“Did they get him yet?” Harris asked Nick as we all headed inside.
“No. They were coordinating a search when we left. FBI is heading it up. If he’s out there, they’ll find him.”
“He’s not out there,” I told them as I turned back. “He wasn’t that badly hurt. He must have gone to clean up somewhere. He’ll come for me again when he’s ready,” I knew that to be the truth. Soloman wasn’t going to give up. In his eyes, I broke his rules and I had to pay for that.
“He won’t get near you again,” Cole told me, as he wrapped an arm around my shoulders.
“No, he won’t,” Nick agreed. “We won’t fuck up again. We’re going to keep you safe until we get him.”
“It’s not me I’m worried about,” I told them as I looked over to Kyle and Kade. “Is everyone else safe?” I worriedly bit my lip as panic filled me.
“Yes. Mom and Dad are staying at our place with Livy and the kids and we have a security team with them. Linc and the guys are going to keep an eye on things too. Everyone is safe,” Kyle promised.
“Okay,” I nodded, then headed inside the house, instantly feeling warmed and soothed by the familiarity of it. I may have only been there just over a week, but in that time it had become a safe haven for me.
“Sit down, Evie. Have you guys got a first aid kit? I want to look at her injuries,” Xander said as soon as we were all inside.
“I’ll grab it,” Aleks answered.
“No. I…I need to take a shower first. I just want to g-get clean,” I told them all. I was exhausted and in so much pain. I just wanted a steam filled shower, preferably with one of my guys holding me just the way they had the other night, but that would be awkward with all of my brothers glaring at their every move near me.
“Come on then, baby. I’ll help you,” Nick offered as he held his hand out to me. I moved to go to him, relieved by his offer, but froze when Cole spoke up.
“You’re going to help her? In the shower?” he asked, sounding pissed.
“Cole,” I cried tiredly.
“No. I’m sorry, Evie, but I want to know what’s going on here. First you were all over Kailan, then Nick in the car. Then we get back here and they’re all kissing and holding you.”
“Have they pressured you?” Kade asked as he stepped forwards between Nick and I and folded his arms over his chest menacingly.
“What?” I cried. “No, of course not!”
“You’ve only been here a week, Evie. It doesn’t seem right,” Matt agreed, but he seemed a little calmer than the others.
“No! God!” I slapped my hand over my face and took a breath. “Just calm down, all of you.”
“She’s right. You all need to back off. We wouldn’t pressure her into anything,” Harris growled, also pissed now.
“Fuck that!” Kyle snapped as he stormed towards Harris. “You said you’d keep her safe, and you fucked that up! What else have you fucked up?”
“Kyle!” I hurried towards him, trying hard not to stumble over my exhausted feet as I went. I grabbed his arm and pulled him back before he flipped his top. “Stop it!” I cried.
“Let’s all just take a breath and calm down,” Xander suggested.
“Evie, come here, maleńka,” Aleks said as he came to my side and pulled me into his arms. “Just breathe for me. You’re too exhausted for this right now,” he soothed as he pulled my back against his front and surrounded me with his arms.
“Tell me about it,” I agreed. Xander stepped forward and grabbed Kyle, pulling him back, away from Harris. “Guys!” I called as loudly as I could, getting the attention of all of my brothers. “Please just stop being crazy, okay? I haven’t been pressured by anyone. The guys have been nothing but good to me. Nothing has happened between us.” I explained. I hated that I needed to, but I was too tired to argue with them and this was just easier.
“But it might?” Cole pushed.
“That is none of your business. I’m a grown woman and I can make my own decisions,” I snapped right back as I glared at him.
“We know that, but you’ve been through a lot, Evie. Now may not be a great time for you to be deciding anything,” Kade told me.
“Is that what people said to Livy when she fell for all of you the week she met you?” I threw back, annoyed.
“That was different,” Kyle argued.
“How?” I demanded. “How was that any different? Except for the fact Livy was a hell of a lot younger and naiver than I am.”
“We’re just worried about you,” Cole told me.
“I know, and I get it. I’m worried about me too, but not about these four amazing guys who make me feel safer and saner than I have since I was taken. I don’t know where things will go between us all, but I’m certainly not discussing it with any of you right now,” I told them all tiredly. “I’m safe for now. Let’s just be glad for that, okay? I’ve missed you all so much. I don’t want us to fight.”
“We don’t want to fight either, do we?” Xander asked as he looked to the others pointedly. They all nodded, some of them reluctantly. Kyle was still glaring at Harris, but he had stopped fighting to get to him at least. “How about we head into town and find a motel so we can clean up? Give Evie some time to change and rest?”
“What about her injuries? You were going to check them out?” Matt asked as he looked to me with worry.
“Kailan was our team medic. He can check them over and bandage them,” Harris said.
“Why don’t you all come back later tonight? I’ll make dinner and we can eat together. If Kailan’s worried about any of Evie’s injuries, Xander can check them over then,” Nick suggested.
“Only if they’re going to do a better job of keeping her safe this time,” Cole growled.
“Cole!” I warned. It was so unlike him to be so combative. It shocked me.
“No, that’s fair, Ev. We did fail to keep you safe after we promised them we would,” Harris agreed. “She’s safe here though. You’ve seen how tight our security is for yourselves.”
“He’s right. I checked their security out myself. It’s better than ours back home,” Kade agreed.
“Fine. But I want you to come home with us tomorrow, Evie. We can keep you safe there,” Kyle told me.
“We can discuss it later,” I replied, too tired to start another argument at that moment.
Kyle reluctantly agreed. They all hugged me briefly before filing out of the house. Harris showed them out, then closed the door as we listened to their SUV pull out of the drive.
“Yep,” Kailan announced loudly. “They definitely like us.” We all laughed, breaking the tension. It was exactly what I had needed.
“Come on. Let’s all head up to Evie’s room. We should check on Zack too,” Aleks said as he picked me up into his arms and started up the stairs. I looked over his shoulder and smiled a little when I saw all three of them following right behind us. The last twenty-four hours had been a living nightmare; one I knew would hit me hard later, but for that moment I felt a peace click into place within me at having them all there. It just felt right. They felt right for me, and I was done fighting my feelings. Life was way too damned short.