I saw Machine’s lips move. Whatever he said caught Badger’s attention. Her fists clenched at her sides before she stormed out of the room. The bastard looked at the two-way mirror and gave us a sinister grin, showing us just how unhinged he truly was.
Badger stormed past me and walked toward the elevator with Machine shortly following. He stopped next to me and scrubbed a hand down his face.
“I take it questioning him is going swimmingly.”
He let out a humorless laugh. “You can saythat again.”
I clenched my jaw. We finally had the bastard right where we wanted. But I didn’t feel the satisfaction I’d thought I would.
“Where is the rest of Chief’s team?” I asked as I continued to look through the window.
Machine crossed his arms over his chest. “You mean, where is Evelyn?”
I gave him a pointed look.
“She’s in your office. Chief ordered her to take some time to come down from everything that happened.”
“She’s by herself?”
“Buddha has been with her. But I imagine he’s with Chief now.”
I didn’t want her to be alone. I gave Machine a clap on the shoulder. “I’ll be back.”
As the elevator doors opened, I almost collided with Zombie—or rather I almost collied with the metal cart of medical supplies that Zombie was pushing. He shot me a tight smile before pushing the cart out of the elevator. “Time to give our guest of honor a dose of his own medicine.” I looked down at the top of the cart to see a syringe, supplies for an IV, and some sanitary items.
I gave Zombie a nod of approval. “Good, have fun.”
It felt like the elevator took forever to get to my office on the top floor. One of my security guards stood in front of my office door. Without a word, the man moved to the side to allow me access. When I entered, I was surprised to find Evelyn curled in a ball on the couch with my suit jacket draped over her as a blanket. I closed the door gently and walked toward the beauty before me.
My thumb brushed her cheek. She leaned into my touch, instinctively seeking it in her slumber. We’d had a moment in the dressing room this evening. I desperatelywanted to understand where we stood, if she could give me a second chance. It didn’t matter that we had spoken about what happened with Ricci and Aaron, there was still a void between us. But I knew that tonight was not the night for that talk. She had lost so much and gone through so much trauma in a short amount of time. I knew I needed to take a step back from my needs while she let herself heal.
“Evelyn, sweetheart.” I stroked her cheek. She stirred awake and quickly blinked her eyes. “Hi, beautiful.”
She stretched out like a cat, before mumbling, “What time is it?”
“Just after 1:30.”
Evelyn sat up. “Ricci?”
“Sedated for now.”
She nodded before biting her lower lip and scrunching her brows together. “Killing him won't take back all the horrible things he has done and the lives he has taken. It won’t bring… them back.” Evelyn said the words so quietly, I almost believed she didn't mean to say them out loud until she looked up at me.
I brushed some hair from her face. “No, it won’t.”
Her tear-filled hazel eyes closed before opening again. “But I want to watch the life drain from his face, just like I had to watch...” She placed her hand over her mouth, trying to stifle a sob. I cupped both her cheeks. I needed to show her that I was there to support her.
“Tomorrow, you will be able to rid this world of Anthony Ricci. But first, you need some rest.” Before she could protest, I placed a finger on her pouty lips. “I am going to bring you and Badger home so you can get some rest. And tomorrow you can end that scum once and for all.”
Evelyn didn’t fight me. She simply nodded and stood up. “Okay.”
Me:
Is Zombie done with Ricci?
Machine:
Yeah… Not sure what Ricci said, but Z-man just stormed out after he was finished.
