Guilt flares inside me with a squeeze. He took a punch; he risked his life. For me. My chest thrums with the erratic beat of my heart.
“You followed me,” I say quietly.
He doesn’t respond, but it wasn’t a question. Easton Rutherford followed me into The Pitts. I wouldn’t be surprised if this was the first time his Audi had been driven down potholed streets.
“You don’t even talk to me, but you followed me?”
His thumb taps the steering wheel. “We’re talking now, aren’t we?” He glances out his window, and his next words come out rough, like he can no longer hold them in. “Jesus, Eva. What the hell were you thinking coming here? Alone, after dark.” He shakes his head. “Don’t you know the kind of place this is?”
I huff out a sour laugh.Yeah. I do.
“Do you even give a shit about what almost just happened to you?”
I swallow and turn away, tamping down the wave of panic that rises at the thought, but my voice wavers. “It didn’t.”
“That’s not the point,” he growls quietly.
“Isn’t it?”
When I look back at him, he’s watching me. His eyes roam my face, flickering with unspoken thoughts, before he pulls them back to the road.
He’s quieter when he rumbles, “What were you doing?”
Chewing my lip, I pull my hair back into a ponytail for nothing more than a distraction, wrapping the tie from my wrist around the strands.
I want to trust Easton. I’ve never spoken to anyone about my cousin, and it’s messed up because he deserves the attention even if no one else sees it that way. But all it would take is one slip for Alejandro to be sent back to prison, and I could never risk his freedom.
“I’m sorry I dragged you out here, Easton, and I’m sorry you got hurt. I really am.”
He side-eyes me, cocking a brow.
“But I can’t tell you.”
He nods, a subtle tip of his chin, but his jaw is hard. “You can’t? Or you won’t?”
“I can’t. It’s not my secret to tell.”
His lips thin, nostrils flaring slightly.
My stomach drops as I absorb his disapproval. His distrust. There’s only one reason a girl like me would visit The Pitts, and we both know what it is. I look out the window. He already thinks I’m a slut, right? I’ve made sure of it. So, better my reputation than Alejandro’s freedom. But the thought doesn’t settle well, and I think I might be sick.
Leaning back against the seat, I recline it slightly and close my eyes. I spend the rest of the drive pretending to sleep.
It’s easier than looking at him.
After Easton parks in the driveway, I stay in the car while he gets out, hoping he’ll just disappear so I can walk to my room without having to face him. His turmoil suffocated me the entire drive, its presence too thick and heavy in the small space.
He’s angry. More than angry. But a few seconds later, my door opens, and he holds his palm out.
Suppressing my surprise, I grasp his hand.
His gaze drops to the contact as he helps me up, and warmth floods me, zapping the chill in the air. The second I’m standing, he releases his grip.
I hate feeling like I’m holding my breath as I follow him inside.
He shuts the door and brushes past me, sliding his fingers through his messy hair. He halts before reaching the staircase, as if he has something to say and can’t keep it to himself any longer.
Turning around, his eyes fill with warning. “You want to keep your secrets, fine.” His low voice rings with harshness. “Keep them. But stay the hell out of The Pitts.”
