Stryker

That wasn’t good. He couldn’t really care less, but now he knew why the Irishman was angry.

Not only did the Irishman’s protégé have his hands on a woman for the first time, but it had to be her.

Just his fucking luck.

He didn’t even have to imagine why she was upset, and that made his stomach lurch all over again.

Fuck!

“I want that,” the Irishman fumed, “stopped now,” he roared. “Do I make myself clear?”

Asshole!

Chapter 10 ~ Stryker

THE ANGER INSIDE OF me wanted out, and the only way that would happen was if I got the chance to use my fists on Patrick for what I knew he’d done to Evie. She had a very open face and it was easy to see her distress when she was pushed for more answers.

That bastard needed someone stronger to teach him a lesson that he wouldn’t forget. Regardless of the hold he had over me, I was going to teach that fucker a lesson. One day soon. In fact, that might happen sooner rather than later after me being up close and personal to Evie at the gym today. There was no way that the cameras would have missed what happened between us. I should have thought about that before I interfered. The last thing I wanted was trouble to fall on Evie.

Stepping out of the shower, I wondered how Evie would feel if I turned up at her apartment. If I slipped out like usual, I could go to her. I’d have to keep watch for Patrick or any of his friends. But I could do that. I needed to see her. To make sure she was really okay.

My heart felt lighter now that the decision had been made. So, stepping out of the shower, I quickly dried off before I pulled on a pair of jeans and long sleeved T-shirt. They were casual enough to not warrant questions about what I had planned. The trick tonight would be leaving without anyone following me.

If I wanted something enough then I could do it. I would do anything to just get five minutes alone with her. I needed to hold her in my arms and tell her everything would be okay. Would it be though? I wouldn’t be around to protect her from that fucker, Patrick.

The feeling to protect had come out of the blue, more so, my feelings of rightfulness with Evie. Every time I thought about her, my heart would pound in my chest. Just wanting her hands on me, even if she only held my hand would sooth my soul. I looked away from the mirror, and brushed the hair back from my forehead as I walked barefoot into the living room.

What the fuck!

I wasn’t alone.

“To what do I owe this visit?” I growled, trying to act as though finding them already in my apartment didn’t piss me off.

I hadn’t heard anyone enter. It was surprising and proof of how distracted I was. I always heard them, even if it was just a slight click of the front door.

Keeping my eye on Patrick and the man he’d brought with him, I moved to the wall and propped myself up against it. The last thing I wanted was to have my back vulnerable, or to be trapped in a corner.

My eyes snapped to Patrick, and the bastard looked to be boiling with rage, which made him the dangerous of the two right now.

My fists clenched with the need to pound into him for what he’d done to her, and he knew it.

The smug look on his face said it all.

I took a step toward him, but the man stepped in front, blocking my view of Patrick. The man was as tall as me, not as wide in the shoulders and I knew he wouldn’t be trained as well as me to fight. He wouldn’t have a chance and Patrick should know that. So why did he bring him?

“I can handle this, for now, Oliver.” Patrick stepped around his bodyguard a hard look in his eyes. “Stryker is well aware of why I’m here…aren’t you?”

Fuck you!

I clenched my jaw and waited for him to say more because I’d be damned if I volunteered anything. In fact, Patrick must be feeling brave because he stood directly in front of me, anger building by his stance.

I was angrier.

“I told you to stay away from Evie…I specifically said not to go near her, look at her, or talk to her. You completely ignored everything I said. We own you. So why would you risk making things more difficult for yourself?” His head tilted to the side a

s though he could pull out the answers.

This didn’t just concern me, it concerned Evie as well so I had to tread very carefully so as not to be the cause of anymore pain for her.