Stryker

“You always keep to yourself…and you’re always alone. Never come in with anyone, or talk to anyone here. I have no idea what’s going on, but I want you to know that I’m here to help you if you need it…I don’t want trouble, but I want you to know that you don’t have to be alone.” Julio moved back to the bar as soon as the words had left his mouth.

Not only did my heart pound with fear for Julio because he couldn’t know what my life was like, but the longing to accept his help caused a pain in my chest. I wanted to be free of them, but not at the expense of anyone else, especially not Julio who’d only ever shown me kindness.

My thoughts quickly changed direction when the door opened and in walked Evie. My breath caught at the back of my throat at her beauty. Tonight she wore a pale green dress that was fitted around her chest and flowed into lots of material around the skirt. I wasn’t familiar with women’s clothing so I had no fucking clue as to what it was called, but either way, she was stunningly beautiful.

Locks of hair bounced around her face as she moved and I ate up the sight of her. She wore low-heeled shoes but her soft, silky legs seemed to go on for miles, causing my fingers to twitch with the need to touch her. Through the people lingering around a subtle scent floated toward me, light and flowery, which I knew was Evie.

My senses had become attuned to her, and every move she made caused a reaction within me.

I wanted her to sit with me.

Talk to me.

Eat with me.

Sleep with me.

None of that would ever happen.

My head knew that, I just wished that my heart did.

Evie stopped at the bar and laughed with Julio while my eyes continued to caress her. I couldn’t move them away even if I tried.

Desire rapidly warmed my body, and my dick hardened, lengthened, and pulsed.

As if she felt eyes on her, she slowly turned and stared. She wouldn’t be able to see me because of the dark corner but I could certainly see her. Her gaze faltered when Julio drew her attention back to him and his eyes shifted in my direction.

He knew there was something going on with me. He’d seen me rush out to chase her down…and he’d watched me stare with longing at her. I hadn’t told him anything, I knew that he trusted me, and that meant a lot.

She knew someone watched her from this corner, but she had no idea it was me. The connection we’d felt at the gym hadn’t been a fluke. It had been powerful, and I wanted her to know that it was me sitting here. I didn’t want her to think it was a creepy stalker. Perhaps if she did know who it was, then she’d come over. There was no one here watching us. No security keeping her away from me like at the gym where eyes followed me everywhere. A fact that surprised me with my reaction to her being in the gym. I’d expected to have my distraction pointed out, which was what I thought the visit from Patrick had been about. But no. I was off the hook…for now.

My attention back on my woman, I noticed her slipping down the side of the bar to the restrooms. I blinked and narrowed my gaze when two guys followed her.

Without thinking, I moved to follow them and caught the frown on Julio’s face as I started to pass the bar.

“I’ll come with you.” Julio lifted the hatch, but I stopped him with a steady hand on his arm.

“No. I have this. Follow in a few minutes but stay back.” I didn’t wait to see if he listened, and quickly made my way down the hall.

I was just in time to catch the back exit as it closed with a clunk. Pausing, I listened and decided to check it out.

My fear of alleys had stayed with me all these years, but my fear that something bad was about to happen to Evie overrode everything. I had to protect her at all costs.

Shoving through the heavy door, my head snapped to the right at the sound of scuffling. My fear for Evie rose as I let the anger I’d felt take over when I saw the two men dragging her down the alley.

“Hey,” I shouted as I jumped over the railing, bypassing the five or so steps dow

n to the ground.

Startled, they glanced at each other, and straightened when I moved closer.

No way would I let them take Evie. I didn’t look at her because I knew if I did it would be her I went to. My anger would snap like a twig so I kept my concentration on the assholes who’d chosen to take her.

I was bigger than they were, and I had years of training. I could easily take these guys. The one on the right looked to have more muscle than his partner, but they were both about to have a lesson they wouldn’t forget.

“Give me the woman,” I growled, my fists flexing at my side.

“Go back inside and mind your own business,” the bigger of the two men spat the words out while the other guy looked between us and took a step back.