“Evie,” he whispered, a hand lifted and cupped the side of my face. His forehead rested against mine. “Are you all right?”
I met his searching gaze, smiled, and reached up to kiss his lips. “I’m okay as long as I’m with you.” I smiled and let him see everything I was feeling. It was written so clearly on my face.
Stryker didn’t look all that reassured, and I knew why. He’d have to leave me soon. He dropped into a chair opposite Millie and Carter, and pulled me down onto his lap, his arms like bands of steel around my waist.
It only took me a minute to get comfortable and when I was, Stryker sighed into my neck, his face buried. I wanted to stay like we were, and pretend that we were alone in the room. When I caught the smirk on my best friends face, I couldn’t help the grin that split my face and then I laughed.
Carter rolled his eyes, muttering, and to my surprise Millie cupped his jaw and slapped a kiss to his lips. That certainly shut his muttering up.
My surprise must have shown because Millie grinned and shrugged. “He’s a fast worker.”
Carter raised a brow. “Fast, babe? I thought I’d be an old man before you agreed to go out with me.”
Ignoring Carter, Millie turned to us, a frown clear across her brow. “What are we going to do? We have to make sure Stryker can walk free…and I’m thinking that maybe my father could help.”
Millie’s father would get involved without question if he knew that it was for me. I just wasn’t sure if I wanted him to. He skirted the law more than anyone that I knew, which was why my parents had never wanted me to be friends with Millie.
Carter frowned, and shook his head. “Let’s not involve parents unless we have to.” He took Millie’s hand to soften his words, which made me wonder just what he knew about her father. “I think I know how.” Carter paused. “Give me a day or two to work some things out.” He went silent while we waited for him to give us more, which he didn’t. He shook his head. “I’m not saying anything for now.”
Stryker nuzzled into my neck, and whispered, “I’ve been gone too long.” He kissed my ear and rested his forehead against the side of my head. “I don’t want to leave you, but, for now, I have to.”
My arms wrapped around his shoulders as I turned by body into him. “I know.”
Chapter 18 ~ Stryker
AFTER SNEAKING DOWN THE stairs of the apartment building, I ran through the back alley and came around to the street two blocks over. I continued jogging until I entered through the main doors of the building. With a quick wave to Andrea at the concierge desk, I kept my head down and entered the elevator. Using my keycard, I punched in my floor and knew that all hell was about to be unleashed when I entered my apartment.
My mind was constantly on Evie and what she made me feel. Crave. The attachment I had to her wasn’t going to go away, and I just wanted to be with her. Right now my hope was solely placed on Carter. I believed him when he said that he might have a way out even though it filled my stomach with nerves.
I wasn’t used to living outside of the wall that they’d built around me and had no idea about the technology around today. I remembered the old cell phone that my father had once given me. It was a flip cell and did nothing fancy other than to make calls or send text messages.
Money would be a problem because, walking away, I’d have nothing but the clothes on my back. The biggest prize of all would be Evie and she was worth everything.
The doors slid open and there, waiting for me was Roger and Earl, two of the regular security guards. Roger was okay and, on his own would always appear intimidated by me. Earl was different altogether and I knew he’d love to be in the ring with me.
“Let’s go. The boss is waiting for you. He’s already pissed as fuck that you disappeared.” Earl went to grab my arm when I didn’t budge, but for once, one look from me had him taking a step back.
I smirked, which angered him more. “I’m going, and I wasn’t exactly stopped from leaving the gym.”
Moving forward, I felt them right on my heels, but decided to behave for now, considering I had no idea who was in my apartment, and what they knew.
Patrick would be there especially after word got out that I’d left with Evie…and the bastard was with his bodyguard, Oliver.
My heart thundered in my chest, the blood pounded through my ears, partly with fear of not being in the position to defend Evie. I didn’t fear for me because I knew what I was capable of. I had a whole lot of fear for Evie if these bastards chose to go after her. Carter had promised to protect her when I’d left them in Millie’s apartment and I’d hold him to that.
The end of this life would soon be over and I only prayed as I walked toward Patrick that I’d survive to spend a new life with my woman.
“The wanderer returns, I see.” Patrick sneered, his anger close to the surface. “Where is my fiancée?”
My fists clenched of their own accord at my side while my jaw clenched together in anger, and jealousy. He didn’t have the right to use that title when discussing Evie. The only person I intended to use that was me. “She isn’t your fiancée anymore,” I ground out. “No wedding.”
A muscle twitched in Patrick’s cheek. “You don’t have any say in it, and from now on, you’ll stay away from her.”
“He’ll be kept away. Don’t worry, son.”
My body froze and all my senses went on alert.
That voice.