A few minutes later, Evan sinks down into the couch next to me. To my surprise, he reaches for my hand, lacing our fingers together.
“You look like you’d rather be where we were thirty minutes ago,” he whispers.
I chuckle. “Do you blame me?”
He squeezes my hand. “I’m really glad you’re here. I’d be losing my shit if you weren’t.”
“Is she with the pack now?”
Evan nods. “The police are taking photos of everything, but William and a few others have already spoken to her.”
“Good. So you know she’s safe,” I say.
“She agreed to come. They’ll leave as soon as they can.”
I try to smile, but anxiety bubbles inside me.Please don’t let this be a mistake.
Jasmine holds a mug out to Evan. “Here.”
“Oh, I don’t think—”
“It’s one of Red’s brews. It’ll help you relax.”
Evan accepts it, but doesn’t drink it. I’m not surprised. He doesn’t eat or drink when he’s stressed.
“Drink it!” Jasmine insists.
He sighs and takes a sip, his brows shooting to his hairline. “Oh, that’s really good.”
“Good. That means you’ll finish it.” She gives him a pointed look.
He nods.
Ivy offers us the blanket again before taking a seat on the opposite sofa. I’m a little nervous with how everyone is watching us, since up until now Evan and I have only said we’re friends. But Evan hardly seems fazed by the attention, leaning into me and even resting his head on my shoulder when he’s done with the tea. The entire time, he holds my hand like it’s the only thing keeping him grounded.
And maybe it is. He’s the only thing that grounds me too.
Within thirty minutes, Evan is asleep on my shoulder. Whatever Red used in the tea must’ve been powerful stuff.
One by one people head back to their rooms. There is nothing we can do but wait for Evelyn to arrive. I consider carrying Evan back to the van, but don’t want to wake him.
Jasmine tip-toes back into the room. “I made a bed up for you guys,” she whispers.
I blink up at her, stunned. “What?”
She gives me a small smile. “I’d like you to stay inside from now on, where it’s safer.”
“Thank you.”
She gestures upstairs. “Third door on the right.”
Evan barely stirs as I carry him upstairs to the lavish room. It’s huge, with a king-sized bed and large windows covered in dark drapes. But the details don’t matter. Only the man in my arms does.
I kick my shoes off and lay down next to him, holding him close. Kissing the back of his neck, I pray he stays asleep for a long time. He’s going to need the rest tomorrow. Then again, so am I.
Because when Evelyn arrives tomorrow, I’m going to hunt down Foxx’s men and make them wish they never used her as bait to get to us.
17
