“No—”
“This is all I can give you.” The truth hurts as much as a lie would. Because I wish I could give him more. The family and life he deserves. “This is my purpose.” To save him. “You’re my purpose,” I remind him.
“Listen to me, Eve.” His voice is cold. He’s mad at me. I get it. But it won’t change my mind. “We are on our way. Just stay right where you’re at, and we’ll discuss this. Whatever it is, the guys and I will take care of it. Okay? You’ll be okay. I’ll keep you safe.”
I smile at the thought of how much he wants to protect me. He’ll make a great father someday. I regret it won’t be me who gives him kids. “Sometimes you have to hurt the one you love,” I say, quoting what his mother once said to him. “I love you.”
“EVE—”
I hang up and toss my phone out the window before I drive off. I already spent too much time telling him goodbye. They’ll be here soon looking for me.
KASHTON
“Goddammit,” I shout, throwing my cell into the dashboard of the Escalade.
“Yeah, she’s at Barrington…”
I tune Saint out in the back seat on speakerphone with Tyson. I’m trying to rack my brain and figure out what the fuck is going on. What the fuck has happened since she left Carnage earlier? What have I missed? Who is after her? I thought I had taken care of this when Haidyn killed the girl. Who has she spoken to that has put Eve’s life in danger?
I got comfortable playing house with her. Thinking that some vows would change our life and make it a better world for us to be in together.
Adam assured me that the cops had backed off. For now. They needed more evidence. It can’t be them.
The Lords always want what you have. Nothing is sacred. Not to them, and therefore not to us.
“Kash?”
I bend down and grab my phone where it lies between my boots on the floorboard, and I call her again.
It rings five times before going to voicemail. “Hey?—”
I hang up and call her again. “Pick up, angel. Pick up.” I will her to answer her damn phone, but again, nothing.
“Kash?”
I drop the phone to my lap and run my hands through my hair. I’m shaking. I’m not sure if it’s from anger or fear, but I can’t stop it.
“Kashton!” A hand hits my shoulder, and I look over to see Haidyn speaking to me. His lips are moving, but I can’t hear anything.
I’ve gone numb. All I can think about is getting to her so I can wring her neck for telling me goodbye. Why would she do it over the phone like that? Eve isn’t a coward. No. My wife is strong and says what’s on her mind. No matter if you want to hear it or not.
“Kashton, man, are you listening to me?”
I blink and notice we’ve come to a stop. “Where is she?” I demand, looking out the window to see we’re in a parking lot at Barrington. It’s a Saturday night. There’s not a soul here other than us. All the college kids are out and about getting fucked up.
“That’s what I’m trying to tell you. She’s not here.”
No. No. No. This can’t be happening. It’s like a bad dream. I look at my cell. It shows she’s here. “The tracker is on her phone.” I never put one on her. Rookie mistake. I should have held her down and put one in her neck. “Her cell is here.”
I shove the passenger door open and get out of the SUV. I call up her number and listen as it starts to ring to my right. I run toward a small patch of grass. Dropping to my knees, I pick up her cell to seeKashtonlighting up the screen.
“Fuck,” I say through gritted teeth. Closing my eyes, I tighten my hold on her cell.
“Where the fuck is she?” Haidyn demands and then snaps at Saint, “CallTyson. Tell them not to come here. We need to spread out. Cover more ground.”
She played me. She came here, called me to say goodbye, allowed me to track her, and then ditched her cell. She knew I’d come running right to her.
“Where the fuck do I tell him to go?” Saint asks, holding his arms out wide and looking over the dimly lit parking lot.
