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I briefly glanced away to contain my anger and then looked back at the man who one day would feel the power behind my left hook. “She looked distressed.” I met his gaze. “I may be controlled by you but I’m not a heartless bastard when there’s a woman in tears. It was instinct to make sure she was okay.” Now to cover for Evie. “She just kept saying she was okay. Wouldn’t tell me anything, other than she had a bad nights sleep.”
Patrick’s eyes narrowed and it took everything I had not to reach up and tighten my hands around his neck. He deserved that and more for laying his hands on Evie in anger.
“Hmm.” He turned away and walked toward the door. “In the future her tears have nothing to do with you. You stay away, and listen to my warning. Things won’t go as smoothly next time you’re anywhere near her. She’s mine. She’s going to be my wife.”
He moved back in front of me and got in my face, which was a fucking brave move to make considering how badly I wanted to crush him. “My wife, Stryker. Stay the fuck away from her.” He straightened his suit blazer and with a flick of his head left with his puppet close on his heels.
No way would I react to his words. At least where he could see or hear my reaction. The bastard would be knocked off his high horse one of these days.
Closing my eyes, I breathed deeply to calm down. It took a good few minutes, but once I was calm, I quickly pulled on socks and sneakers.
All I had to do was get out onto the sidewalk without anyone seeing me. Because I’d been angry when I’d returned home, I hadn’t bothered to check which guard was on watch. A couple of them took their job more seriously than the others so I had to be more careful when slipping passed the apartment next door that they used to monitor me.
As long as I didn’t lead them to Julio’s then I wasn’t bothered about what I had to go through to get away for a short time. One day I wouldn’t come back, and they knew that. There was always relief in the guard’s eyes when I reappeared.
So now, slipping out of the apartment door, I hoped Evie would be at her apartment. If she wasn’t, and I didn’t see her tonight, my disappointment would be huge.
Evie
WHEN I’D WALKED INSIDE Julio’s tonight, my eyes had immediately gone to the corner where Stryker would sit, and then my heart had sank at not seeing him there.
I’d managed to put a smile on my face while Julio had rushed around behind the bar, and his eyes had popped when I’d asked for a beer. I couldn’t fool Julio though and somehow he knew why I was there that night. He knew, and guided me over to Stryker’s table.
“Sit,” Julio urged. “He doesn’t usually come tonight,” he raised a brow, “but neither do you.” He smiled and left me alone to deal with his other customers.
Was I so obvious?
I sighed and leaned back while I watched what was going on in the bar. Tonight a two-man band had started to set up on the opposite side of the bar, their guitars strapped around their necks. I’d listened to them play before so at least the music wouldn’t be too loud.
I’d love to be sitting here with Stryker, cuddled into him while the music swept over me. I’d never known what it was like to be in a man’s arms who really wanted me to be there.
That thought shouldn’t even enter my head, but it was the truth. Patrick always acted as though he couldn’t wait to put me aside, and it often felt like he touched me for show. I’d known there was something wrong from the beginning, but had buried my thoughts on the subject for peace. I’d never doubted or hated anyone but Patrick had given me a reason.
With another heavy sigh, I dipped my head and started to peel the label from my bottle of beer when a shadow fell over the table.
My heart thudded in my chest when I glanced up and realized he was here. He’d come. Our eyes collided and I felt the heat of his stare to the tip of my toes.
I held his gaze and slipped out from the table. Stryker took my hand, and just his touch alone had heat pooling in my panties. He gathered me into his arms; his hand gently cupped my face as he pressed me into his chest.
His heart thundered loudly against my ear as my arms slipped around his back, and there was no mistaking the shudder that ran through him at my touch.
He rested his chin on top of my head, and whispered, “I’ve been looking for you.” I smiled, hearing his words, but it soon turned to concern when he continued, “I went to your apartment.”
“Patrick—”
“Wasn’t there,” he finished for me. Brushing his fingers through my hair, he continued, “I stayed outside once I’d found out which apartment was yours. No lights were on. So I took a chance that you’d be here.”
“I’m glad.” I finally raised my head, and let out a small sigh when he dropped his forehead to mine.
My heart knew that I wanted to be with him even if my head told me that being close to him would cause trouble.
“We need to sit.” Others in the bar had started looking at us, and I hated being the center of attention, more so now that I wondered whether or not Patrick had had me followed.
He had, once before, and I’d let him know of my displeasure. He’d promised not to do it again, which was a promise that he hadn’t kept. I knew that he watched my apartment. Not all the time, but occasionally.
No way did I want him to know that I was with Stryker. He’d flip because not only am I supposed to be his fiancée, but it was Stryker.
“I’ve lost you,” Stryker whispered, pulling me down beside him at the table, a frown furrowed his brow.
