But James quickly approached, and with a protective arm around her shoulders, he led her away.
A weakness.
“Promise me you’ll take it easy,” she said, rising onto her toes to press a kiss to his cheek.
The woman was short. Probably no taller than five foot two.
On the wingtips of that thought, my eyes journeyed up her toned legs, stopping to admire how her jeans hugged the perfectly rounded globes of her ass. Rogue thoughts of Evangelina’s lithe body wrapped tightly around mine had me shifting my weight, feeling the strain of my cock against the zipper.
Yeah, it would be a damn shame if James blew our cover.
“Eva love,” he croaked, voice on the verge of cracking.
“Uncle James? What’s wrong?” Her tone was tinged with worry.
Holding her gently by the shoulders, he feigned a smile. “Don’t pay me any mind. Truth is, I was looking at photos of Pam. Of our wedding. I miss her; that’s all.”
Evangelina’s voice softened. “Talk to her, Uncle Jay. I know she still loves you.”
“Don’t you concern yourself with Pam and me. She’s much better off, trust me. Now, get out of here. It’s late. Don’t make me worry about you.”
“I face the worst of society every day. I’ll be fine.”
“I’ll always worry, no matter how capable you are,” he said with a proud tone. “But evil lurks in every corner, Eva. Never let your guard down.”
His cryptic words only seemed to set off more alarms. She bit down on her lip. “Uncle Jay, are you sure you’re all right?”
“Go now, Eva,” he urged.
A soft sigh blew past her lips, and she nodded, turning to leave.
I released the breath I’d been holding until he stopped her again, and an exasperated growl threatened to claw up my throat.
Fucking let her go.
“Eva? Remember what I said. Be careful out there. Always trust your instincts. You’re so smart, so beautiful—I love you.”
She leaned her back against the door, skepticism cutting across her features, and for just a moment, her anxious brown eyes found mine through the veil of darkness, piercing through me and briefly causing my breath to hitch. I wasn’t sure if the fear of being caught, or something more, had induced my reaction.
“I love you too. But I’m checking on you first thing tomorrow.” James forced a nervous laugh. “Sleep well,” she said, regarding him one last time before slipping out the door.
I let James stew in his misery for several moments before slow-clapping and stepping into view.
“Bravo. No wonder my mother fell for your bullshit.” Raising my weapon, I motioned for him to move. “Living room. Now.”
James hung his head and cursed under his breath. He walked like a resigned man, accepting his judgment and the fate he’d sowed decades ago when he’d laid eyes on my mother, destroying everything she was or could have been. The domino effect of his cruelty poisoned me as well.
“You don’t have to—”
A silencer suppressed the loud popping of two bullets as they left the chamber of my gun, cutting into his flesh in quick succession. James dropped, a howl erupting from his throat as blood soaked into the beige carpet beneath his mangled legs.
“You… crazy bastard,” he heaved, tears welling in his anguished blue eyes.
“I won’t deny that. That’s exactly who I am. But you made me this way, James.”
My boot connected to his jaw, and blood spewed from the split lip.
“Please, stop. I’m sorry! I was a different person back then,” he sputtered, covering his face with both arms.
