Chapter Eight
EVE
I’ve barely moved since Leo left. Barely drawing breath, fearing the worst.
Leo’s brave, strong, and courageous, but that doesn’t make him invincible. He left enraged, and more often than not, anger leads to poor decisions. Although I understand that his own life isn’t one of pleasantries and niceties, Jeremiah Williams is a whole different kind of evil.
I followed Leo’s instructions. Staying tucked in his bed, with the TV on, waiting for his safe return. The bed feels too big without him. It’s cold and empty, but I can’t bring myself to leave. Where would I go, anyway? My room’s exactly the same. I can’t speak to Momma about it.
I should probably tell Tony. He might be able to find a way to help Leo.
These thoughts have been replaying in my head nonstop, since Leo left.
I’ve tried distracting myself by pretending Leo’s out with the boys.
At one point, I even thought he killed Jeremiah, and he was gone so long because he was hiding the body. All better than believing he’s dead.
It’s been hours. Every passing second only brings more dread.
And then, out of the blue, between contemplating his death and all the horrors that might come with it, Leo Thorne stumbles through the door. His face is swollen, a deep blue-purple bruise forming under one eye. The red splotches on his grey shirt paint a grim picture of the night’s happenings.
“You’re back,” I launch off the bed and rush into Leo’s arms. I slam into him without thinking, and he winces, letting out a pained ah, at my roughness.
“I’m so sorry,” I pull away from him. He hasn’t even spoken, but I feel scolded.
“Don’t be,” Leo chuckles. “Just please be gentle.”
He winks at me, opening one arm and I accept it, nuzzling in gently.
“How did it…” I can’t finish my question for fear of a bad response.
“Jeremiah Williams hits like a kangaroo and bites like a mule, but he won’t be bothering you again,” Leo replies. A reassuring hand moves up and down my back.
“He bit you?”
Leo turns around. The back of his neck is covered with a large white pad of cloth that hides a wound. He doesn’t open it, and I don’t want him to.
“Wanted to get cleaned up before coming home. My old man should get a chuckle out of this at least.”
For a man who’s just had the shit kicked out of him, Leo’s surprisingly chipper about it all.
He’s smiling, jolly, and somehow finding a bright side hidden in it all.
He shuts the door, takes my hand, and leads me back to the bed.
He eases himself onto it gently, patting the space beside him for me to join.
We carefully adjust ourselves until I’m snuggled into one of Leo’s strong arms.
“So, you’ve followed me, you’ve spied on me in the shower, and you’ve defended my honor. Is there anything else I should know about?” I ask, a teasing little smile on my face.
“Just one,” Leo replies. His expression suddenly turns serious, struggling to sit up while I’m sprawled across his chest. It almost scares me to hear what he’s about to reply. “Eve, I…”
He pauses, and that doesn’t help my anxiety. Is this where he breaks the news? Where Leo tells me that Jeremiah won’t be a problem because he’s dead? Leo’s cheeks burn a deep, rosy pink.
A nervous little grin turns up on his face. I can’t tell what to expect, but the anticipation is killing me.
“Eve, I think I’m in love with you,” he finally gets it out.
In a single sentence, all my fears of the night are gone.
Hell, all my fears about the future disappear.
I wasn’t expecting Leo to say those magic words, but I’m glad he did.
I don’t know where this wild world plans on carrying me.
I don’t even know if I’ll be here tomorrow, given how my mother moves from man to man.
But, at least for now, with Leo, none of it matters.
We can conquer mountains and overcome obstacles. With him at my side, there’s nothing to fear. Whatever will be, will be.
And if Leo’s with me, I know it’ll be a damn fun ride.