I laugh. It’s funny how scared he is of her. I get it. Lailani’s dangerous, but his fear is unwarranted. She doesn’t tend to just kill for the fun of it. It’s more of a job for her.
I head back to the car and instruct my driver to take me to our compound. “I’ll talk to you later,” I tell Paz.
“Talk or see?” he asks.
“Talk. You’re right. I shouldn’t go chasing anyone right now.” I don’t need to put Evie in anymore danger than I already have.
Fucking hell, what was I thinking getting close to her?
I was thinking I had a second chance. As messed up as it is, she is a second chance to get it right. And this time, I’m not going to fuck it up.
Then my mind wanders to what Jenna said about Laura and if I was missing something. Who the fuck got to her? At first, I assumed she meant my father. Now, I’m not so sure. Was someone else at play? If so, who the fuck was it? And why would myfather have done their dirty work for them? He wasn’t the type of man to take orders from anyone.
Stepping out of the shower, I wrap a towel around my waist. And my hand swipes across the mirror to clear the steam from the glass as I pull the wet gauze from my shoulder. Digging through the cabinet, I find some antiseptic and some clean dressings. I take a few moments to patch myself up and then walk out into the bedroom.
It’s not the first time I’ve been shot, probably won’t be the last time either.
I quickly get dressed, fastening my cufflinks when an idea hits me. I pick up my phone and send a message to my artist.
Me:
I need a small piece done now.
Hector:
Your place or mine?
Me:
Mine.
Hector:
On my way.
I toss my phone onto the bed and remove the cufflinks, because Hector is going to need access.
She has managed to bury her way deep into my soul. I always thought people had one person, and for my entire life, I thought Laura was that person for me. I was wrong. What I feel for Evie doesn’t compare to whatever it was I once felt for Laura.
Evie is different. I don’t want her.I need her.The second I hear her voice, my entire mood shifts, and right now, I need that reprieve. I’ve grown to love this country over the years, taken it on as my own. I love the job I once despised, and I’ve built this empire to be more than my father ever dreamed it could be.
The power, the money. Having everything at my fingertips. It’s a drug like no other. I want Evie to have it all right alongside me. I can’t bring her here yet, though, and that fucking grates on my nerves. I should be able to bring my woman to my home and know she’s safe.
Thirty minutes later, there’s a tap on my door. One of my men pops his head inside to inform me that Hector has arrived.
“Send him in.” I stand, remove my jacket, and fold the sleeves of my shirt.
“E, long time,” Hector says as he saunters intomy office with an easyI don’t give two fuckskind of attitude. It’s what I’ve always liked about him. Most people who walk into this office do so in fear.
“I’ve been busy,” I tell him.
“So I’ve heard. What are we doing today?”
“A name. Right here.” I point to the spot on my wrist. “And it goes without saying that this name stays between us.”
“Of course. So, who is she?” He quirks a brow, placing his bag on my desk as he prepares his gun.
“Evie.” I feel my lips tip into a smile before forcing them down again.
