Dare To Tempt (Dare Nation 2)

“I can’t just turn off worrying about you,” Mack said. “Are you going to stay here until we find him? Because your apartment is open with the catwalk, close to the elevator, and leaves you vulnerable.”

Damon had every intention of keeping Evie at his house, but he knew better than to say so.

She glanced up at him. “Do you mind? It is smarter.”

“Wouldn’t have it any other way.” Damon winked at her.

Blushing, which he found sexy, she turned to her brother. “Can you talk to the bar owner? See if they have a camera in that back hall? Maybe we can get a tape of him threatening me with the knife.”

Damon was impressed with her ingenuity.

“You got it,” Mack said. “Now I’m going to do my job. Keep in touch and I’ll do the same.” He reached an arm out, pulled Evie to him, and kissed her forehead. “You know I’m just worried about you.”

She inclined her head. “And I appreciate it. But I’m sick of feeling impotent thanks to John and frustrated that you think my movements should be dictated by the whims of a psycho.”

“Love you, Evie.”

Mack obviously knew better than to get into another argument. Together, Damon and Evie walked him to the door.

Once he was gone, she turned to him. “What’s on your agenda for today?”

“Doctor’s appointment for my head. I can at least get cleared even if I can’t play.”

“Team doctor? One you see often?” she asked.

He nodded.

“Then I’m coming with you. In case you forgot, we’re still working on your case, too.”

“Great.” This way he could keep an eye on her. He was just too smart to mention it.

* * *

Evie and Damon stopped at her apartment for her to switch into an outfit of her own, then pack up clothing and personal items to bring back to his house. Her brothers had stopped by, and Mack had found the bug John planted, disposing of it for her. She still didn’t feel perfectly safe here, but at least she wasn’t being watched. She changed into a pair of jeans and a tank top. Her leather jacket lay on her bed, and out of habit, she reached for it and paused.

She wore the jacket to protect herself from the memories and insecurities that arose every time she saw the scar. Not to mention she hadn’t wanted Damon to notice. But he’d already seen her pain and questioned her about her past. And she’d been forced to talk about it. Face it. So, the question arose. Did she continue to hide herself? Or did she begin the slow process of acceptance and healing? Jacket or no jacket, it wasn’t like she could forget, not with John lurking around.

She left the garment on the bed and continued to pack before ending up back in Damon’s car, her mind going to her brother’s overprotectiveness. She didn’t want to be angry with Mack for wanting to keep her safe, but he was questioning her ability, the very thing she’d left her job at the DA’s office to avoid happening. And he’d done it in front of Damon, who’d all but backed her brother up. But they were both just concerned.

“Hey. Are you okay?” Damon put a hand on her knee before placing it back on the wheel.

She shrugged. “Frustrated.” She didn’t elaborate, not wanting to get into it again.

Before he could reply, his cell phone rang. It was connected to the car, and Austin’s name came up on the screen. He hit a button. “Hey.”

“Hey. Can you talk?” Austin asked.

“Sure. Evie’s in the car with me.”

“Even better. I was planning on calling her next.”

Damon glanced over and she raised her eyebrows in question.

He pulled into the doctor’s office lot and parked. “Okay, what do you need to tell us?”

Austin cleared his throat. “Can you guys come to the office this afternoon at three? I have a surprise for Quinn, and I want the people we care about to be there.”

Evie let out an excited squeal. “Oh my God, you’re asking her to marry you!”

“Dude!”

Austin chuckled. “I know it’s last-minute, but it’s all planned. I just decided to have family and friends there. Are you guys free?”

Evie could hear the excitement in his brother’s voice.

“If I wasn’t, I’d make myself free,” Damon said. “But yeah, we’re fine and of course we’ll be there.”

Evie was practically bouncing with joy in her seat at the news.

Damon disconnected the call, glanced at her, and grinned. “Happy?”

“I’m thrilled for my best friend. I never thought I’d see the day she married a man with a baby. Her own ready-made family. This from the woman who said no kids.” Evie shook her head. “Just shows you that you never know what life has in store.”

Meeting her gaze, he treated her to a slow smile that had her stomach twisting with need and seemed to carry a hidden message. One she wasn’t ready to decipher or know.