Evangelina stiffened beneath my touch, a small gasp falling from her lips. Grinning, I pulled away, thoroughly satisfied with her reaction.
“Eva, what are you doing today?” I asked, giving her an out.
“I-I called off work so I can sort things with Rayne, but now that she’s no longer here—”
“We’ll find her. I’ll help you.”
I didn’t give a single fuck about the girl. She was as good as dead, as far as I was concerned. But this Rayne kid was important to Eva. And for some reason, that mattered to me. I rationalized that the more I won her over, the easier it would be to make her fall.
“Really?”
“I feel a little guilty. She fled under what was supposed to be my watch. Just think of some places she frequents, and I’ll take you.”
Another beaming smile stretched across her face.
“Sounds like a plan. What about you? I don’t want to inconvenience you.”
“I’m my own boss.” She nodded, content with my answer. “Give me about thirty.”
I slipped my hand from hers, but she caught the tips of my fingers at the last second, tugging me back toward her.
“Derek, thank you. For everything.”
She scooted forward to the edge of the stool, slowly dropping to the ground, her body pressed against mine, knowing well enough what she was doing to me.
Sporting a goddamn semi, I let her move around me, ignoring the visuals of taking her over the kitchen counter.
Self-restraint was a bitch.
CHAPTERELEVEN
EVANGELINA
Derek backed into a parking spot across from the Esther C. Transitional Living Center. The small, red brick building sat on the corner of a shady neighborhood, bordered by other run-down homes and businesses. Derek’s sleek black Bentley stuck out like a sore thumb and garnered looks from pedestrians, including a group of men hanging out in front of a bodega just off the corner.
“Maybe you should stay here while I run inside. Those guys seem very interested in your car.”
“Not happening,” he deadpanned, scrolling through messages on his phone, completely unbothered by my observation. He didn’t so much as lift his gaze.
“Don’t say I didn’t warn you when you come out and find four cinder blocks instead of tires.”
“You’re not going in there alone. End of discussion.”
I scoffed. “You do know I’m a cop, right? I’ve been in worse situations.”
He shifted in his seat, locking his unwavering gaze with mine. “I don’t give a fuck about those guys or this car. Number one. And two, whatever you do when I’m not around is one thing, but when you’re with me, I’m not going to sit by like some pussy while you risk your safety.”
Anger flared red-hot in my chest. I’d been underestimated and treated like a breakable damsel my whole life. Always the youngest and smallest in every friend group. Then came my diagnosis. And lastly, my looks. I wasn’t naive enough to think being pretty didn’t change people’s perspective or how they treated me. Working in a field dominated by men reminded me of that every damn day. For whatever reason, Derek’s perception of me mattered more than I’d like to admit.
“Eva.”
The aggravation I’d felt evaporated the instant my name fell so sweetly from his lips. I didn’t know what it was about Derek that obliterated my resolve. Sure, he was nice to look at. But a man’s looks had never mattered too much to me. Maybe it was because he was James’s son.
My swooning over his protectiveness might set women back fifty years, but I couldn’t bring myself to care. It was endearing. He barely knew me, yet he seemed to care far more than he should.
“Fine,” I said, trying to sound like I had a choice in the matter.
I’d barely stepped out of the car before the catcalling began. Avoiding eye contact, I rounded the hood, where I met Derek. Never one to feel safer with a man, being in his presence was something entirely different. The group behind me quickly hushed as Derek flashed them a murderous glare, his eyes equal parts ice and scorching fire.
