Chapter 34
Parker
Whatever this feeling was, it wasn't anger. I don’t even think it was rage. There wasn’t a word for what I was feeling right now.
Tonight was a test of wills.
Aja and Janae have argued before, but never like this.
Janae gave something up so that Aja could have what she wanted.
Knowing Aja, she would have done the same if she were in her place.
Mom was hurt that Janae didn’t confide in her, and I could understand why she didn’t.
Ma didn’t exactly have the best track record.
Our family was broken. My job was on the line, and Evelyn was in more danger than ever.
My father stripped his protection from Evelyn and ordered her to leave.
We weren’t going anywhere. He could tell William and the security team whatever he wanted.
If we had to lie low here, so be it. If he wanted her to leave, he’d have to go through me.
This was my home just as much as his, and I was tired of letting him keep me from it.
I was about to sit down on the couch when I heard Evelyn scream.
My heart was in my stomach as my feet ate the short distance to her room.
Throwing open the door, I found Evelyn huddled on the floor, her hands making a mess of her curls, pulling at the roots.
When I followed her gaze, I noticed a black box on the bed, in it a silver ring with an aquamarine stone.
Evelyn was quiet. It worried me. She was crying quietly, watching me as I picked up the box.
“It was on the bed when I walked in.”
“What are you saying, Ev?”
The shrill sound of a phone ringing interrupted her. Evelyn’s eyes widened, her hands trembled as she answered the phone call, pressing the screen to put it on speaker.
“Evvie.”
Terror filled Evelyn's eyes as we looked at each other. Charles knew where she rested her head, and he wanted us to know.
“Do you like your surprise? Typically, when someone gets you a gift, you say thank you.” He barked out a laugh.
“How?” I gritted out. We had a team of twelve security personnel, all former military—this place was supposed to be our safe haven.
“Oh, Parker, buddy! Thank you for having me. Your home is lovely.”
“What do you want, Charles?” Evelyn asked, her voice desperate and breathy.
“To see you, of course. Consider the ring a loan.” He sniffed. “You can give it back to me when we see each other."
Charles spoke casually as if he were making plans for a coffee date.
“You won’t be seeing her anytime soon, you piece of shit. You’re going to make a mistake, and when you do, I’m going to make sure you pay for your crimes.”
I don’t wait for a response. I disconnect the call, letting my anger get the best of me, I send Evelyn’s phone hurling towards the wall.
“FUCK!”
“Parker.” Her voice cracks, and I forget my anger, going to the floor to meet her.
“I’m sorry, baby, I’m sorry.” Wrapping my arms around her, she leans on my chest.
“What are we going to do? He was here in this room.”
“I’m going to make some calls. We have other homes. I don’t need his permission. We’ll pack up and leave tomorrow. I’ll organize security on the way there.”
“Parker, listen—”
“I’ll call Danny and get him updated. It’s probably best if you don’t go by Evelyn or Willow anymore.” I rambled, trying to think of every single detail.
“I don’t want to keep running, Parker.” Her outburst threw me off.
Charles had been in this room, most likely when we were having dinner nearby. He had gotten past trained guards and left a bloodied ring on her bed. I didn’t even want to stay the night, but we were both too exhausted to travel right now, and I had to make a suitable plan.
“What do you suggest? We wait for him to come back for you? You can’t be serious, Ev.”
I didn’t mean to raise my voice at her, but I couldn’t help it. This whole plan was collapsing around us, and she was just ready to give up. A firefighter never leaves their squad member behind. There was no way that I was going to sit by and let a madman take her.
Evelyn didn’t cower from me, though. There was fire in her eyes as she faced me.
“You’re not thinking clearly, Parker. We can’t just keep running. I’m tired of looking over my shoulder. He’s already here.”
Grabbing her hands, I tried to reason with her again.
“My dad has already kicked us out, we can’t stay here any—”
“No, Parker. You didn’t get kicked out. Your father told me I had to leave, and he’s well within his rights to do that.”
Was my hearing fucked up? Was Evelyn agreeing with my dad?
My mouth moved to speak, but she cut me off again.
“Wherever I go, he’s going to follow me.
I don’t want to live like this anymore. Can’t you see?
Things were just starting to go well. There seemed to be light coming through this godforsaken darkness.
Charles wants to destroy any happiness I might find in this life. He won’t stop until we meet again.”
She grabbed my face, forcing me to hear everything she was saying.
“You have your family to protect. Things aren’t good here, and they need you more than ever. You can’t leave things unfinished. Aja and Janae miss their brother. Your mother is going to need support. Let me go. You have to let me go, baby.”
Our eyes were locked in. My ears were hearing the words, but my mind refused to wrap around the concept of letting her go. We were just getting started. I felt a pinch in my chest. Just the thought of her leaving had my heart in a vise.
One moment she was looking into my eyes, and the next her lips were on mine, her hands roaming all over my body. Her hands descended on my buttoned shirt, rushing to get the shirt open with one hand as the other caressed the growing bulge in my pants.
This wasn’t right. Evelyn was the woman of my dreams. I wanted her more than anything, but not like this.
I pulled back from her.
“Baby girl, are you okay? It’s okay if you aren’t. We’re going to figure this out.”
We had to. The last thing I wanted was to be separated from her.
“I’m okay, I just need you.”
We stared at each other for a moment.
“I’m yours, Ev. Always. But are you sure this is what you need?” I asked again cautiously.
She clutched my shirt as unshed tears gathered in her eyes and her breath hitched before a sob broke free.
Loud cries echoed in the pool house as she broke down. So much had happened to her, and tonight reminded us we weren’t safe as long as Charles was alive. She was tired, and the only thing she needed right now was my support.
Standing, I pulled Evelyn up with me, lifting her into my arms. She wrapped her legs around my waist as I carried her into my bedroom.
Once we were in the en suite bathroom, I set her down on the countertop, stepping away to start the bath.
Her tears fell silently as I checked to make sure the bath water was warm enough before removing her shoes.
Gently, I undressed her, layer by layer.
Her body called to me as it always did, but my only interest was taking care of her.
Once she was undressed, I helped her step into the bath.
I made sure she was settled in the water before turning around to leave.
Although I would never put ‘Evelyn’ and ‘weak’ in the same sentence, I knew she liked her space when her feelings got to be too much, so I turned to leave her to her privacy.
“Don’t leave me,” she whispered the words, but I heard her loud and clear.
Taking a seat on the lid of the toilet, I made sure her eyes met mine. “Never.”
She looked at me for a minute or two before dissolving into tears again.
I’ve never felt more useless in my life.
Kicking off my shoes, I strip down to my boxers before climbing into the tub behind her and taking her in my arms.
Holding her, we stay like that as her tears fall like rain into the tub. Before the water runs cold, I take the warm washcloth and run it over her skin. Next, I grab the brush she keeps in my bathroom, and I start to brush through her damp waves.
By the time I’m wrapping her in a towel, her tears had subsided. I walk Evelyn to her room so she can get dressed, snatching a dry pair of boxers from my drawer on the way. She dresses quietly, and I motion her to the bed once she’s finished.
Once again, I turn to leave her to rest, but she calls me back, her voice small and unsure, “Can I sleep in your room tonight?”
I don’t bother responding because I would never refuse her.
We make the short walk down the hall to my room.
Evelyn slides into bed while I turn off the lights, following close behind her.
She presses into my side, and I stroke her hair until her breathing gets heavy and I fall asleep alongside her.