“I really am, okay.”
“No, you’re not,” Stryker insisted.
“I’m beginning to think that you left out a bit of information with regards to him walking you home,” Millie mumbled.
Heat filled my face at Millie’s deduction, and my heart threatened to beat out of my chest at the smirk on Stryker’s handsome face.
“What happened with Patrick after I left?” Stryker guessed, correctly.
“I knew that bastard had something to do with this,” Millie steamed and tried to get closer to me, but Stryker held steady.
“He…I thought…” I inhaled and dropped my eyes so Stryker wouldn’t see the pain, “he wanted me.” I shrugged and tried to move away but Stryker moved with me. “He didn’t rape me, but he threatened me.” Another tear escaped, which he caught with his thumb.
“Did he hurt you,” Stryker growled, his eyes looked wild. “Did he, Evie?”
“Cameras, Stryker,” Carter reminded him. From the look on his face, he didn’t give a shit. “The fucker hurt her.”
He dropped his forehead to mine, our eyes met, the look I felt right down to my toes.
“I don’t want you to get in trouble with them because of me. Please, Stryker. It would hurt me to know that.” I licked my lips, an action he followed with his eyes.
“I’m afraid to let you go,” he whispered, indecision clear on his face.
“I’ll be fine. Don’t worry about me. Worry about yourself.”
“Stryker, let’s go.” Carter dragged him away while collecting his gloves from the floor.
Millie took my face in her hands and made me look at her. “I’m not sure what’s going on with you and him…but it was intense.”
I wrapped my arm around Millie and hugged her close. “Stryker has started to mean everything to me, and that fact alone scares me. I’ve only met him the once. Last night. There’s just something about him that calls to me, something that wants to be constantly close to him. Touching. I really can’t explain it.” Pulling back, I met her gaze. “I know he feels it too.”
After a few minutes of looking anywhere but at me, she answered, “I feel the connection between the two of you. It’s powerful. It doesn’t scare me, but it does make me long for someone to look at me the way Stryker does you.”
I smiled through my tears. “Carter looks at you like he wants you for breakfast.”
My friend started to blush to the roots of her hair. “He can have me…eventually.” She smirked.
I laughed, which I didn’t think I’d be doing today. Millie always had a way of making me smile when I really didn’t want to.
“Come on. We’re done here today.” Millie wrapped her arm over my shoulders and tugged me toward the door.
My feet felt heavy, and my head was full of Stryker as I turned and met his gaze across the room. I couldn’t look away, and didn’t until Millie closed the door behind us.
He looked angry, disappointed, and so damn alone, even in a gym half full of men training.
“Evie, don’t worry about him. He looks more than capable of taking care of himself.”
I knew she was right and I followed her down the sidewalk, but I hesitated. Despite her words, I wanted to go back and wrap myself around him.
Chapter 9
THE MINUTE HE ENTERED the office, he knew by the anger on the other man’s face that he wouldn’t like the reason he’d been summoned.
He hated the man behind the big mahogany desk¸ the Irishman. At one time he’d loved him.
He’d always tried his best but it was never enough. Even now, he still wanted to please him, and he hated that about himself.
“Sit, and watch this.”
He immediately dropped into the chair opposite him and glanced at the screen that the Irishman had turned to face him.
Oh, hell!
That wasn’t good. He couldn’t really care less, but now he knew why the Irishman was angry.
Not only did the Irishman’s protégé have his hands on a woman for the first time, but it had to be her.
Just his fucking luck.
He didn’t even have to imagine why she was upset, and that made his stomach lurch all over again.
Fuck!
“I want that,” the Irishman fumed, “stopped now,” he roared. “Do I make myself clear?”
Asshole!
Chapter 10 ~ Stryker
THE ANGER INSIDE OF me wanted out, and the only way that would happen was if I got the chance to use my fists on Patrick for what I knew he’d done to Evie. She had a very open face and it was easy to see her distress when she was pushed for more answers.
That bastard needed someone stronger to teach him a lesson that he wouldn’t forget. Regardless of the hold he had over me, I was going to teach that fucker a lesson. One day soon. In fact, that might happen sooner rather than later after me being up close and personal to Evie at the gym today. There was no way that the cameras would have missed what happened between us. I should have thought about that before I interfered. The last thing I wanted was trouble to fall on Evie.
Stepping out of the shower, I wondered how Evie would feel if I turned up at her apartment. If I slipped out like usual, I could go to her. I’d have to keep watch for Patrick or any of his friends. But I could do that. I needed to see her. To make sure she was really okay.
My heart felt lighter now that the decision had been made. So, stepping out of the shower, I quickly dried off before I pulled on a pair of jeans and long sleeved T-shirt. They were casual enough to not warrant questions about what I had planned. The trick tonight would be leaving without anyone following me.
If I wanted something enough then I could do it. I would do anything to just get five minutes alone with her. I needed to hold her in my arms and tell her everything would be okay. Would it be though? I wouldn’t be around to protect her from that fucker, Patrick.
The feeling to protect had come out of the blue, more so, my feelings of rightfulness with Evie. Every time I thought about her, my heart would pound in my chest. Just wanting her hands on me, even if she only held my hand would sooth my soul. I looked away from the mirror, and brushed the hair back from my forehead as I walked barefoot into the living room.
What the fuck!
I wasn’t alone.
“To what do I owe this visit?” I growled, trying to act as though finding them already in my apartment didn’t piss me off.
I hadn’t heard anyone enter. It was surprising and proof of how distracted I was. I always heard them, even if it was just a slight click of the front door.
Keeping my eye on Patrick and the man he’d brought with him, I moved to the wall and propped myself up against it. The last thing I wanted was to have my back vulnerable, or to be trapped in a corner.
My eyes snapped to Patrick, and the bastard looked to be boiling with rage, which made him the dangerous of the two right now.
My fists clenched with the need to pound into him for what he’d done to her, and he knew it.
The smug look on his face said it all.
I took a step toward him, but the man stepped in front, blocking my view of Patrick. The man was as tall as me, not as wide in the shoulders and I knew he wouldn’t be trained as well as me to fight. He wouldn’t have a chance and Patrick should know that. So why did he bring him?
“I can handle this, for now, Oliver.” Patrick stepped around his bodyguard a hard look in his eyes. “Stryker is well aware of why I’m here…aren’t you?”
Fuck you!
I clenched my jaw and waited for him to say more because I’d be damned if I volunteered anything. In fact, Patrick must be feeling brave because he stood directly in front of me, anger building by his stance.
I was angrier.
“I told you to stay away from Evie…I specifically said not to go near her, look at her, or talk to her. You completely ignored everything I said. We own you. So why would you risk making things more difficult for yourself?” His head tilted to the side a
s though he could pull out the answers.
This didn’t just concern me, it concerned Evie as well so I had to tread very carefully so as not to be the cause of anymore pain for her.
I briefly glanced away to contain my anger and then looked back at the man who one day would feel the power behind my left hook. “She looked distressed.” I met his gaze. “I may be controlled by you but I’m not a heartless bastard when there’s a woman in tears. It was instinct to make sure she was okay.” Now to cover for Evie. “She just kept saying she was okay. Wouldn’t tell me anything, other than she had a bad nights sleep.”
Patrick’s eyes narrowed and it took everything I had not to reach up and tighten my hands around his neck. He deserved that and more for laying his hands on Evie in anger.
“Hmm.” He turned away and walked toward the door. “In the future her tears have nothing to do with you. You stay away, and listen to my warning. Things won’t go as smoothly next time you’re anywhere near her. She’s mine. She’s going to be my wife.”
He moved back in front of me and got in my face, which was a fucking brave move to make considering how badly I wanted to crush him. “My wife, Stryker. Stay the fuck away from her.” He straightened his suit blazer and with a flick of his head left with his puppet close on his heels.
No way would I react to his words. At least where he could see or hear my reaction. The bastard would be knocked off his high horse one of these days.
Closing my eyes, I breathed deeply to calm down. It took a good few minutes, but once I was calm, I quickly pulled on socks and sneakers.
All I had to do was get out onto the sidewalk without anyone seeing me. Because I’d been angry when I’d returned home, I hadn’t bothered to check which guard was on watch. A couple of them took their job more seriously than the others so I had to be more careful when slipping passed the apartment next door that they used to monitor me.
As long as I didn’t lead them to Julio’s then I wasn’t bothered about what I had to go through to get away for a short time. One day I wouldn’t come back, and they knew that. There was always relief in the guard’s eyes when I reappeared.
So now, slipping out of the apartment door, I hoped Evie would be at her apartment. If she wasn’t, and I didn’t see her tonight, my disappointment would be huge.
Evie
WHEN I’D WALKED INSIDE Julio’s tonight, my eyes had immediately gone to the corner where Stryker would sit, and then my heart had sank at not seeing him there.
I’d managed to put a smile on my face while Julio had rushed around behind the bar, and his eyes had popped when I’d asked for a beer. I couldn’t fool Julio though and somehow he knew why I was there that night. He knew, and guided me over to Stryker’s table.
“Sit,” Julio urged. “He doesn’t usually come tonight,” he raised a brow, “but neither do you.” He smiled and left me alone to deal with his other customers.
Was I so obvious?
I sighed and leaned back while I watched what was going on in the bar. Tonight a two-man band had started to set up on the opposite side of the bar, their guitars strapped around their necks. I’d listened to them play before so at least the music wouldn’t be too loud.
I’d love to be sitting here with Stryker, cuddled into him while the music swept over me. I’d never known what it was like to be in a man’s arms who really wanted me to be there.
That thought shouldn’t even enter my head, but it was the truth. Patrick always acted as though he couldn’t wait to put me aside, and it often felt like he touched me for show. I’d known there was something wrong from the beginning, but had buried my thoughts on the subject for peace. I’d never doubted or hated anyone but Patrick had given me a reason.
With another heavy sigh, I dipped my head and started to peel the label from my bottle of beer when a shadow fell over the table.
My heart thudded in my chest when I glanced up and realized he was here. He’d come. Our eyes collided and I felt the heat of his stare to the tip of my toes.
I held his gaze and slipped out from the table. Stryker took my hand, and just his touch alone had heat pooling in my panties. He gathered me into his arms; his hand gently cupped my face as he pressed me into his chest.
His heart thundered loudly against my ear as my arms slipped around his back, and there was no mistaking the shudder that ran through him at my touch.
He rested his chin on top of my head, and whispered, “I’ve been looking for you.” I smiled, hearing his words, but it soon turned to concern when he continued, “I went to your apartment.”
“Patrick—”
“Wasn’t there,” he finished for me. Brushing his fingers through my hair, he continued, “I stayed outside once I’d found out which apartment was yours. No lights were on. So I took a chance that you’d be here.”
“I’m glad.” I finally raised my head, and let out a small sigh when he dropped his forehead to mine.
My heart knew that I wanted to be with him even if my head told me that being close to him would cause trouble.
“We need to sit.” Others in the bar had started looking at us, and I hated being the center of attention, more so now that I wondered whether or not Patrick had had me followed.
He had, once before, and I’d let him know of my displeasure. He’d promised not to do it again, which was a promise that he hadn’t kept. I knew that he watched my apartment. Not all the time, but occasionally.
No way did I want him to know that I was with Stryker. He’d flip because not only am I supposed to be his fiancée, but it was Stryker.
“I’ve lost you,” Stryker whispered, pulling me down beside him at the table, a frown furrowed his brow.
I took his hand and held it between mine. “You didn’t lose me. I was just hoping that I hadn’t been followed.” I shrugged when his frown deepened. “Patrick likes to keep tabs on me. He watched the apartment but I think, or rather hope, that’s all he does.”
He caressed my face. “I didn’t see anyone lurking around when I was there. I hid and waited for about thirty minutes, watching…and nothing.”
“Thank you.”
“You can’t feel anything for him when there’s something between us.” His face heated, but I knew that it must hurt him to think that I was with someone else. It would hurt me if the tables were turned.
I chuckled, leaned in and kissed his cheek. “I feel alive when I’m with you,” I whispered into his ear, and smiled when he shuddered as my breath tickled his ear. “You liked that.” He shuddered again.
“You need to stop teasing me.” His eyes were hooded, but I sensed that he could still see me. In fact, all my senses were still alive and buzzed with awareness of him.
“I can’t stop. The way you react to me is real, and it makes me feel good knowing that.” I shrugged away the twinge of embarrassment that I felt. “I don’t think anyone has reacted to me like you do.”
Stryker paused, and then his hand cupped the back of my head as he moved me against his chest. His arm closed around my shoulders to keep me against him. I wouldn’t want to move even if his arm wasn’t like a band of steel.
I wrapped my arm around his waist and rubbed my nose against his chest, inhaling his musky scent into my lungs. He gave me peace and, considering my situation, that said just how much he affected me.
“You make me crave things I’ve never dared to before.” I felt his fingers stroke through my hair. “I don’t know what to do about it.”
I raised my head to meet his gaze. “Would it be easier if I stayed away?”
His hands tightened around my shoulder. “No.” He breathed deeply and exhaled. “It would make it easier for me at the gym, but I can’t imagine not seeing you now. We just have to be careful. We were on video today at the gym. Patrick saw me with my hands on you. He wasn’t happy.”
I bet he wasn’t.
I dipped my head so that he wouldn’t see my pain. There was certainly no love lost between Patrick and me. It would be nic
e to have it all over with. I knew what I had to do, but deep down I knew Patrick would make it difficult for me to walk away, even after what he’d done.
“I’m going to talk to him.” I sat up and curled into his side, so I could face him. “I’m not even sure why we’re still engaged. The thing is, until I met you, I was more or less okay with my life.” I smiled. “Now, I realize that for once, I need to take control and instead of hiding to keep the peace, I need to say what’s in my heart even though I know he won’t want to hear it.” He should expect it after the other night because he had no excuse for what he did.
His fingers tightened in my hair. “Promise me that you’ll make sure someone else is with you when you do talk to him, okay? I don’t trust him.”
“I will.” I couldn’t blame him for that after what I’d left unsaid about last night, but perhaps I did need to tell him. Regardless of how much Patrick frightened me the night before, it could have been worse.
“Don’t think about it.”
“What?” I blinked in surprise.
“You’re easy to read.” He frowned.
I whispered, “He didn’t rape me, Stryker.”
The change in him was instant. His fisted hands rested on top of the table and he breathed deeply like a bull ready to charge.
I thought my words would put his mind at rest over what he thought had happened, but I was wrong.
My hands slipped over both his fists in a gentle caress, and when his gaze met mine, I reached up and placed a sweet kiss to his lips. His eyes were hooded and his body shook so I did the only thing I could and wrapped my arms around his neck, my face buried in the curve of his neck.
He froze and, seconds later, I felt his arms wrap around my waist as he held me against him. “I’m sorry,” I mumbled. “I thought you’d feel better knowing that.”
“I do.” He exhaled, more like deflated. “He did something though.”
“Yes. He didn’t physically hurt me and I have no plans on being alone with him again.”
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