“It’s handled. You don’t have to pay for anything. I take care of mine.”
With strength I didn’t know she had, Ever pulls free of my grip, and her hand comes crashing across my cheek, leaving an intensely burning sting in its wake.
“What the fuck, Ev?”
“Get off me. Get. Off.” She shoves at my chest, and seeing the panic in her eyes, I roll off her and allow her to stand up off the bed, but I watch her closely as she frantically moves about the room looking for her clothes. I’m on my feet and grabbing my jeans, quickly throwing them on.
Everly tosses my shirt off, throwing it at me. I’m momentarily paralyzed as I take in the beautiful bare body before me. I’ve always known she had a rockin’ body, but this is the first time I’ve seen it this closely andfuck me.It wouldn’t take much to toss her down on the bed and kiss her stupid until I sink myself inside her and make herfeeljust how mine she is. Unfortunately, I know my girl. I need to get my shit together before she bolts. She always fucking runs from me when we get too close. She’s scared.
I toss my shirt on over my head, pushing back the urge to smell it, knowing it will hold the scent of her pina colada body wash she’s used since the tenth grade. She quickly throws her own shirt on over her head, not giving a shit about her bra. Then she’s pulling her jeans up and spinning around to face me as she buttons them. Her finger points at me as she stalks toward me, yelling.
“I’m not yours, Mason.Weare not yours.” Her voice cracks slightly, but she reins it in, pulling herself together.
Always the calm, cool, unshakeable girl. Never let anyone see your pain.
One of these days I’m going to get her to break down that wall of hers.
Everly takes a deep breath, and with complete resolve, says, “Listen, Mason. You have been one of my best friends for years. And for that, I have always been grateful. You’re great with Kaylie, and if I said I didn’t appreciate all the times you’ve helped babysit or fixed something for me around the house, I’d not only be an asshole, but I’d be a liar too. But Mason, I’ve always been straight with you. I don’t—no—Iwon’tbe a part ofthislife.” She gestures around my room. “I don’t want to be the one always hoping to fit in and belong, knowing that I don’t and never will. I’m not naïve like my mother.”
“And I’m not your father,” I growl.
Her eyes turn to steel. “Fuck you, Mason Wright.”
It might fix a few things if you did.
I sigh, reaching for her waist and pulling her to me. Her hands find my chest, pushing, but I’m not backing down.
“Ev, come on. You’ve got this all wrong.” I try. “You’re holding us accountable for things your father and his asshole club did. My club isn’t involved with the Devils. We don’t sell women or drugs!” My own temper is rising now. She’s got everything pegged all wrong. “You’re lumping the Kings andmeinto the same category as those dirty fucks. I get your hatred for bikers, but we aren’t them. The Kings are nothing like your asshole father. Kings take care of their own. We would never get a woman knocked up and leave her to raise a child alone. We own our mistakes!”
Her eyes narrow, and I know what I just said has put me in deeper shit.
“Hm. Well, thank you for clearing that up, but I’m not debating my mother’s life choices or hermistakes. I’m talking about your lifestyle. Because we both know your club’s not full of saints.” She pulls out of my hold. “Tell me. Why were the feds here recently stirring up the town about your littlerivalrywith the Devils?Or what about how they found three of those Devils’ members dead with one ofyourclub girls? It was rumored all over town, Mason! And I don’t want your shit on my fucking doorstep!”
“It’s not like that,” I tell her. “We had nothing to do with the three dead fuckers found with Drea. It was a misunderstanding. The FBI has already cleared it up.”
“And what did they clear up exactly? How did your club girl end up drugged and dead? Why wasn’t she protected? She was club property, wasn’t she? Where was her protection and club loyalty when she needed it, huh?”
“I can’t answer those questions, Ev, except to tell you, Drea wasn’t one of ours. She was kicked out a while back.”
“I see,” she huffs. “Club protectiondoeshave a cost then, huh?” She steps back, her hands balled tight at her sides.
“You don’t understand the situation. You’re drawing conclusions,” I explain.
“I’m drawing from experience.” Her shoulders drop. “Let me out,” she pleads, trying to hold herself together, but the glassy sheen in her eyes gives her away. “I need to get Kaylie. We need to get home.”
I take a step back and allow her to storm out of my room. Everly stops at the playroom long enough to grab Kaylie and their belongings, leaving all of Kaylie’s new toys and gifts behind. “I can’t have this shit in my life, Mason. I have Kaylie. The social worker. God, what would happen if she thought we were together, and something happens to put Kaylie in harm’s way? I could fucking lose her.” There are tears spilling from her eyes now, and I’m panicking a bit about what her next steps will be. If she’s truly this spooked, she could take Kaylie and leave town. I have to find a way to fix this.
“Wait! My toys!” Kaylie yells with tears running down her face.
I owe you one, kid. You just helped me out big time!
Not wanting to make things worse but seizing the opportunity that’s right in front of me, I promise Kaylie I’ll bring her stuff to her later, which earns me a stern glare from Everly. “Ever would never make you give up your presents from Santa. Would you, Ev?”
I dare you to deny her.
She must register my silent threat, because the glare I get back would be enough to melt the skin off a lesser man’s face. But she knows I’m right. Ever won’t deny Kaylie her gifts. It’s not her fault we’re fighting.
Ever takes Kaylie’s hand in her own and replies while keeping her eyes connected with mine. “Fine. Mason will bring them to the house laterand drop them off.” Everly emphasizes the last part, making sure I know I’m not welcome to stay and visit when I do. “Say goodbye to Mason, Kaylie.”
