Chapter 29
Zane
“What do you know?” I ask as soon as I join the men in the living room.
“Nothing yet,” my father says. “Did you get anything more from your mate?”
“She won’t talk to me.”
“Try to get her to,” he urges.
“Yeah, I know.” I pace the living room, feeling like I’m coming unhinged. Every time I think about Evie being in the woods at night, alone and terrified, I want to lose it all over again.
“We’ll figure it out,” Quint says. I appreciate the sentiment; but it doesn’t really bring any comfort right now, not when my mate is in pain and won’t talk to me.
The door to my room finally opens, and my mom steps out.
She meets my eyes across the room, knowing I need to hear what’s wrong.
“They’re not cracked. Severely bruised yes, but not cracked.
She’s got bruising all over her stomach and chest..
.” A growl explodes out of my mouth. “But she’s okay,” she urges.
And I know it could have been so much worse.
“Did she talk to you?”
Her eyes meet mine. “I don’t think she was even aware I was in there.”
“What happened out in those woods?”
The question comes from Quint, but I have the same question. I watch as my dad lifts his head and looks at me. Whatever that look is, it’s not good. “What is it?” I demand. His scowl deepens, and my heart hammers in my chest.
His eyes meet mine. “Does she know what you are?” he asks in a quiet voice.
“No. I haven’t had a chance to tell her yet. I’ve been trying to take it slow with her.”
He glances down the hall, towards my bedroom. “I think we may have a problem on our hands.”
We all hear the door to my room open. I spin around to see Evie step out into the hallway.
Her face is deathly pale, but her eyes are open and she looks coherent.
Relief floods me instantly. “Evie.” Her eyes lock on mine, but she doesn’t give me anything.
Is she terrified? Angry? Sad? Normally, I can read every expression on her face.
Right now, it’s so very blank, and I hate that.
She looks around the room and hesitates. “Hey, Evie,” Quint says in a gentler voice than I’ve ever heard him use. Maybe there’s hope for him yet. When her eyes land on my father, I watch as she tenses.
I open my mouth to make the introductions, but he beats me to it. “Hey, Honey,” he says in a voice usually reserved for my mom or sister. “I’m Zane’s dad, and this is his mom. She was the one checking you for injuries.” Evie’s eyes flit over to my mom.
“Thank you.” Her words are soft, but at least she’s talking. Relief flows through me.
“Of course,” my mom says tenderly.
“I’m good now. Thank you so much. I just want to go back to my room.”
I don’t fail to notice that she doesn’t look at me when she says this.
I walk right up to her, being careful not to startle her.
“I can take you back to your room, if you want. Or you can stay here. We have a guest bedroom you can use for the time being.” We don’t actually, but I will make one if it will get her to stay here. She stares at my chest.
“I’d like to go to my dorm.”
My heart falls. “Okay. I’ll take you back.” Reid stands up and gives me a small nod. He’ll go with us for extra security. “Reid’s going to go with us. Is that okay?” She gives a small nod, still not meeting my eyes.
“It was nice to meet you, Mr. and Mrs. Blackwood,” she says as she passes my parents.
“You too, Evie,” my mom says tenderly. “You’ll have to get Zane to bring you over to the house for dinner sometime soon.”
She nods but doesn’t respond. While I’m grabbing my keys and wallet, she lets herself out the front door. “Be careful,” my father warns. I want to hear what he’s learned, but I don’t want Evie outside in the dark by herself.
“I will be.” I head outside and down the steps.
Evie’s already standing next to my truck with her arms wrapped around her.
I don’t miss the way she looks all around her, as if searching the darkness.
“Hey.” I walk over to her and open the passenger door.
“You’re safe, Evie.” She doesn’t look at me as she climbs into my truck.
Reid meets my eyes a moment before he climbs in the backseat.
The ride back to campus is made in absolute silence.
I don’t even bother turning on the radio, afraid it will spook her.
When we pull up in front of her dorm, I keep the truck running and hop out.
But she’s down before I get to her side.
She walks towards her dorm building, and I follow.
She has no problem getting in at this early hour because my dad made a call.
Once inside the building, she heads over to the stairs.
I follow silently behind her. When we get to her door, she opens it and looks at the lock on the handle.
My heart sinks because I know what she’s doing.
“Will you stay out here and see if it actually works?” Her words are soft but determined. I let her close the door, and I try it.
“It works.” I don’t tell her that one swift kick would break the lock; she doesn’t need to hear that tonight.
But I can at least give her peace of mind.
“Let me show you something,” I tell her as soon as she opens the door.
I grab the chair from the desk on the opposite wall.
I shove it under the door. “Nobody’s coming in now,” I tell her.
I look at the bathroom door. “Want me to do the bathroom door as well?”
She shakes her head. “I can do it.” She doesn’t look up at me. “Thanks for the ride.”
“Evie,” I try one last desperate attempt. “Please talk to me.”
She finally lifts her head, and those gorgeous eyes meet mine.
For just a moment, she lets me see the same raw fear I saw earlier tonight in the woods.
“I can’t.” Her words are a plea for...something.
I just don’t know what. To leave her alone?
To not ask any questions? “Thank you for coming to get me,” she whispers.
“Always, Evie. I will always come to you when you’re in danger or scared.”
She closes her eyes a moment and then steps back. “Goodbye, Zane.”
Everything in me urges me not to leave her, because those words sounded way too final. But I fear hurting her or scaring her even more, so I let her go. “Goodnight, Evie. Call me anytime, night or day.”
She nods but doesn’t say anything. I stare down at her, memorizing her beautiful face.
I want nothing more than to take her in my arms and protect her, but she won’t let me.
I force myself to turn and leave her room.
I close the door behind me and wait for the sound of the chair being shoved under the handle.
I sit down on the ground next to her door.
Thankfully, it’s somewhere around two in the morning; nobody should be coming and going at this time of night.
And I’ll disappear before the girls in this dorm get up and moving for the day.
But for now, I’ll make sure she stays safe.
I war with telling her I’m out here, so she’ll feel safe and maybe get some sleep.
The other part of me worries that she’ll demand that I leave, and I really don’t think I’ll be able to.
I reach out to Reid. Hey, I’m going to stay outside Evie’s door. I just can’t leave.
He answers immediately. I figured. I already took your truck and drove back to the house. Just let me know when you need a ride.
Thanks, Man.
The next few hours drag by. My dad keeps me in the loop but doesn’t give me a whole lot.
I know there’s more, but he doesn’t say anything through our bond.
I lean my head against the wall and close my eyes, looking to rest just for a few minutes.
I hear a sound, and my eyes snap open. The door to Evie’s room opens before I can move.
She steps out into the hallway and stops suddenly.
“Zane. What are you doing here?” I push myself to my feet. “Have you been out here all night?”
Judging by the light outside, it’s still early. “I’m pretty sure it’s only been a few hours.” I take in her pale skin and the dark circles under her eyes. “Couldn't sleep?” She shrugs. “Did you want to try again? I’ll keep watch for you.”
“I’m heading to the coffee shop; I have to open this morning.”
“Are you sure you’re up to that?” Her chin rises, and I fight my smile. My girl’s getting her fight back.
“I’m good. Thanks.”
“I’ll walk you,” I tell her as she starts down the hallway.
Somebody throws their door open and steps out, nearly knocking into Evie.
Reflexes have me grabbing her and moving her out of the way before I even think about it.
The girl eyes me and then heads down the hallway without a word.
Evie looks up at me and then continues down the hallway.
We step outside, and she shivers. I don’t think it’s from the cold, though.
Throwing all caution to the wind, I step closer and wrap my arm around her shoulder, pulling her into my side as we walk.
She doesn’t say anything, but her shivers fade.
When we get to the shop, she unlocks the door and steps inside.
Bisch shows up a moment later, and I’m grateful.
He’s a big guy, and he’s good to Evie. I stay outside the shop and try to figure out my next step.
An idea comes to mind, and I reach out to my sister.
Hey, are you awake?
I am now, she responds with an attitude.
We both know you were awake. She’s got a crazy schedule and is up early almost every day.
What’s up?
I need your help.
If she’s surprised, she doesn’t show it. With what?
Evie.
She pauses a moment, and I can tell she’s surprised. Do I finally get to meet her?
Something happened last night.
She must pick up on my tone. With Evie?
Yes.
Is she all right?
Now it’s my turn to pause because I don’t know the answer to that question. Physically, yes. But emotionally? I don’t think so.
Zane, what happened?
I don’t know, and that’s what kills me. She was attacked by something in the woods last night. She called me begging for help and then screamed. When I got there, she was running from something and absolutely terrified.
What was it?
I don’t know. That’s the thing. Dad’s got the enforcers on it, but so far, we haven’t gotten anything. She won’t talk to me, Riley. She’ll barely look at me. I shake my head, feeling worked up all over again. I need your help.
She doesn’t hesitate. What can I do?
Just be you. You can get anybody to talk, and you can become best friends with a stranger in a hot second. It's your superpower. I need you to use it on my mate now and see if you can find out what all happened out there in the woods last night.
I’ll do it. I close my eyes in relief. Where are you?
I love this about my sister. She’s loyal as all get-out and will do anything to help those she loves. Thank you, Riley. I mean those words from the bottom of my heart.
Of course, Big Brother. I love you.
I swallow hard. I love you too.