Live Free (Lords of Mayhem 3)

She rose with her new goal firmly in her mind. No more rules, lists or concerning myself with society. I’m leaving that behind, along with this house and life as I knew it. It’s painfully obvious the way I lived won’t cut it. It’s time to rediscover and live free.

Comforted, she pushed up onto her feet and dug deep into her closet, pulling out clothes hanging in the back. Memories from the time when she was fresh out of college made her smile. Things had been different then. The world had been full of infinite possibilities and she’d been excited to start her new life. Then the truth hit her. Life after school wasn’t much different from life inside. It’d been a bit crushing. Full of working to get ahead, saving for the future and sacrificing, she’d fallen into a comfortable numbness.

Her fingers itched to create. She’d put art on the back burner for so long, she’d misplaced her passion for it. Suddenly inspired, she grabbed the black portfolio in the back of the closet as well. In the end, she left the room with clothes she hadn’t worn in years, arts supplies and a new sense of self. She reached the bottom of the stairs and found Rocky on the couch alone.

The hustle and bustle in her house seemed to have come to a halt.

“Did I scare everyone off?” she asked.

“Naw, I sent them to lunch. I thought maybe I’d have to come up and get you,” Rocky said.

“No…” Evonne paused. “I was out of line earlier. It’s not you I’m mad at, so I apologize.”

Rocky nodded. “Accepted. I wasn’t going to dwell on it. Brothers blow steam off all the time and it’s forgotten.” He flashed her a smile.

The bright-white straight teeth made her stomach flip. God, the man is hot.

“You ready?” he asked.

“Yeah, what are we going to do with this?” She lifted her suitcase.

“Leave it here for the prospects. We’re riding out of here on my bike.”

“Ooh…” A thrill of excitement raced through her. She captured the joyful emotion and held it tight. “I’ve never been on the back of a bike before.”

“I’m pleased to be your first time.” His voice grew husky.

Determined not to be the one to back off, she racked her brain for a witty comeback. “I’ll keep that in mind.”

His eyebrows rose up.

She smirked. Yes, I’m more than the girl who got screwed over by a man looking to get revenge for his fallen friend. I will not let that be my defining factor.

“I might have underestimated you. I should know better,” he said.

“Why?” she asked.

“Because that’s the quickest way to get your ass handed to you in the ring, letting your guard down and thinking you know what your opponent is capable of. Get your purse and we’ll head out. I don’t like being here with everyone else gone. The crew your psycho ex runs with is dangerous. They got a long reach and balls the size of the United States.”

“What happened?” she asked. Her stomach sank.

“It’s not my place to go into details, but let’s say Levi managed to escape and after that, he disappeared off the face of the planet. I’d be willing to bet he has eyes and ears on you.”

“Why?” She snorted. “It’s clear he didn’t give a shit.”

Rocky looked away.

The avoidance didn’t seem his style. There’s more to this. She frowned. “What?”

“Nothing. Let’s get going.”

“No, no, no. That look wasn’t nothing.”

He strolled out of the house.

Evonne hurried after him, doubling her steps to keep up with his stride.

“Not my place, Evonne.”