AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Just as quickly as they formed, she jerks her head to the side, dislodging my point of contact. “Thanks.” She sniffs quietly and tries to duck around me.
“What is that shit?” I bark, losing the tight control on my own emotions. The sudden rush of hurt surprises me. Almost as much as her wanting to get away from my touch.
“I don’t know what you mean.”
The elevator dings as the doors slide open, and I chase Evie inside.
“Like hell you don’t. Don’t hide your feelings from me.”
Evie tucks herself into the back corner. I crave being near her, but it’s clear she wants space. Even if that distance slices me in two.
As soon as the elevator banks, I snag her hand firmly in mine. “Are you sure your ankle is okay?”
“It’s fine, Rhett,” she sighs.
“Come on.”
Without a care to who’s around, I lead her through the lobby and out the revolving doors. Across the blacktop sits an open field, perfect for Ghost to do her business while we talk or fight or whatever it is we’re about to do. I’ll be damned if I let her go to bed alone with whatever she’s feeling. Not if there’s a chance I can fix this chasm I created.
The dry grass crunches beneath our shoes. Ghost precedes us, nose to the ground, oblivious to the crackling tension between Evie and me.
“Talk to me,” I damn near beg.
As if she suddenly remembered we’re joined, she takes her hand from mine under the guise of fixing her hair and tugging up her hood.
“I really don’t know what you want me to say.”
“I want to know if those tears were because of me and how I can help.”
“You can’t help.”
Ghost chooses this moment to stop, and I use it to my advantage. Evie tries to keep walking to God knows where when I have her dog. Right before she’s out of reach, I manage to curl my fingers around her bicep and spin her back.
“You blame me.”
She studies her shoes. “I’m trying not to.”
“You have to know I had no idea she was your client.”
“You made that pretty clear,” she retorts dryly, finally returning eye contact. An unreadable storm churns in hers.
“I was trying to protect you. Nora turns nasty when she wants to be, and I didn’t want you caught up any more than you already were.”
She gazes at the field beyond my shoulder as if contemplating her next words. My fingers involuntarily squeeze her arm in my grip, and she returns her attention to mine.
“I need time to unwind. Not only did I lose my biggest client today, but I realized all the money she paid me actually belongs to you. I told myself I wouldn’t accept handouts.”
“You earned that money,” I growl, not liking the direction of her thoughts. “Doesn’t matter whose checking account it came from. You cleaned that fucking house like she asked.” The image of her on her hands and knees scrubbing my bathroom will haunt me. Fucking, fucking Nora.
“And she paid me a ridiculous sum to do so!” Her voice rises. “Now I realize she was just trying to get back at you by throwing your money away.”
Her words spark a memory I need to share. I sway her arm still in my grasp. “It no longer matters. After her ridiculous setup failed, I got her to agree to the terms.”
“Setup?”
Ghost whines, prompting us to keep walking.
“She admitted she saw us the other day. Here, in the parking lot. She orchestrated tonight hoping to ruin whatever it is you and I are doing.”
