I knew he hated hospitals. For a very valid reason, but he needed to be there.
Before I could continue to get more information out of him, he interrupted.
“What are you going to do?”
I paced the floor in front of my desk. “I’m going to call Chief to let him know to have a full security detail on Evelyn. I’m also going to send some of our guys to watch from afar.”
“And then what?”
“I’m going to have to let her go.” I scrubbed a hand down my face. “It’s the only way I can keep her safe.” I had to make myself believe my own words. Evelyn and Lennie’s lives were now at stake.
SIXTY-ONE
EVELYN
I stretched out like a cat on a cloud of a bed that smelled of Kade. My body felt blissfully sore in all the right places. Sitting up, I took in the room around me and saw that the bed was empty. Quickly I got out of bed and put on one of Kade’s dress shirts before going to find my man. A smile crept on my face at that thought.My man. Kaden Romano was all mine.
I found Kade in only gray sweatpants, pacing in his office while typing frantically on his phone. His muscles were on full display in all their glory.
I walked in and bit my lower lip as I attempted to sneak up on him. He looked up from his phone and instead of a smile, he continued to look perplexed.
Goosebumps pricked my skin. “Hi,” I whispered.
His expression softened when he heard my voice.
He put his phone on his desk and wrapped his arms around me. Sandalwood and everything Kade invaded my nostrils. “Hi, princess.” Kade pressed a kiss to my forehead before cupping my cheek and meeting my eyes. Something was wrong. I felt it down to my bones.
I tilted my head. “What’s going on?”
Kade looked down at the floor and then back up at me. “We need to talk.”
My stomach felt like it was going to fall out of my asshole. I crossed my arms and took a step away from him. “What’s going on?” I hoped my voice didn’t show the tremble that I felt throughout my body.
Kade sat on the edge of his desk and braced his arms on the lip of the desktop. “We need to put a pause on everything. Our relationship.”
I looked at him with shock. “I’m sorry… what?” I asked, flabbergasted.
Kade crossed his arms on his chest. “It’s not safe. The world I live in is not safe, Evelyn.”
I pinched the bridge of my nose before letting my arms fall to my sides.
“No shit, Kade. But, news flash, I am very much aware of your extracurricular activities and oh, that’s right, we’ve workedtogetherin said extracurricular activities! Why are you doing this?” Tears began to fill my eyes. This couldn't be happening.
“Would you believe me if I said that I am trying to protect you?” His voice was soft yet stern.
I scoffed and slightly turned my body so I didn’t have to look at him. “Oh, give me a break, Kaden. You know I am trained to deal with danger, right?”
He ran a hand through his hair. “Yes, I know. But please just trust me on this.” He moved toward me and cupped my cheeks as my tears began to fall.
I shook my head. “You tell me you love me, but now you tell me we can’t be together because it’s not safe?” I angrily swiped the tears that began to fall before slapping Kade across the face. “Fuck you, Kade! I amfucking donewithyour games!” I screamed once more before storming out of the office and running for the front door.
SIXTY-TWO
EVELYN
It had been three weeks since Kade told me he needed space to keep me safe. Twenty-one days, sixteen hours, and twelve minutes since I last laid eyes on Kade, but I wasn’t counting or anything. He had spent the last three weeks working from home and taking some time off.
Everyone in the office had their speculations, including myself, but I wasn’t one to add to the gossip mill. Kade could take his “I’m keeping you safe,” and shove it up his perfectly sculpted ass.
