by Maya Banks
“Yeah well, so was going to Impulse, but y’all didn’t mind coercing me into that,” Evangeline snapped.
Until now Steph had been silent, and that should have told Evangeline the worst was to come.
“And how long do you think it’ll take this Drake guy to get tired of you and scrape you off? What the hell are you going to do then, Vangie? You can’t let yourself be solely dependent on any man, and especially not one with his kind of power.”
Hurt splintered through Evangeline’s heart, and her sudden intake of breath had to have been heard over the phone, judging by the ensuing silence. But what bothered Evangeline even more was that Steph had scored a direct hit and nipped at an already blooming insecurity over just how long this thing with Drake would last.
“That was uncalled for, Steph,” Lana said angrily. “You’re acting like a jealous bitch and it’s not very attractive on you. Leave Vangie alone. As long as we’ve known her she’s never done a single thing for herself. Maybe it’s high time she did, and lived a little.”
“I need to go,” Evangeline said quietly. “I have to be dressed and ready to go in ten minutes.”
“Wait, Vangie, before you go,” Nikki said in a rushed tone. “The landlord came by this morning to give us a receipt and a rent-controlled contract. The rent has been paid in advance for two years, with a contract guaranteeing no increase in rent for the next ten. How insane is that?”
“Drake didn’t want my leaving to cause you financial problems,” Evangeline said quietly. “Lucky for y’all, after he shakes me off, you’ll still have a rent-free place to live and a guarantee of no increase for a long time.”
Then she quickly ended the call, still bothered by Steph’s comment.
Evangeline was so out of her element that she wanted to crawl into the nearest hole and die. She was hopelessly gauche and while Justice, her babysitter du jour, seemed rough around the edges, he certainly knew his way around upscale shops, either choosing or discarding appropriate items with ease.
After the first time Evangeline had reached out to touch a shimmering dress right out of Cinderella’s ball and felt the sumptuous material between her fingertips, she’d been in love. Until she looked at the price tag and yanked her hand away as if it had burned her. Oh good God. Was everything in this place so exorbitantly expensive? One dress cost more than she made in a year!
She turned away, her bottom lip between her teeth in consternation. She didn’t belong here. This wasn’t her world. She didn’t fit and she was fooling herself if for a minute she thought she could become a part of it, if only for a little while.
Justice, however, saw her reaction to the dress and made eye contact with the saleslady, who was only too happy to wrap it and add it to the growing pile of purchases Justice was arranging for Evangeline.
At first he’d wondered just what in the hell he’d done to piss Drake off that he had drawn women’s shopping duty with a woman who didn’t seem to want or need anything. Hell, it wasn’t as if he hadn’t been wrangled into shopping with and for one of Drake’s women in the past, but all he’d had to do was stand back and watch the woman march through the store pointing indiscriminately, leaving Justice to pay the bill, and it was all over in a matter of minutes.
But Evangeline? She seemed absolutely mortified and horrified, especially after she’d looked at the price tag of the dress she’d looked at so longingly, caressing the silk material. For God’s sake, it wasn’t even one of the more expensive dresses in the shop, which was why he was glad Drake had called ahead with a detailed list of what he wanted the salesperson to have already out and ready for purchase. Evangeline would likely have a stroke if she caught sight of the prices of those dresses.
He sighed because this had the look of being one long-ass day, and shopping for women’s clothing was like a trip to hell. The things he did for the man he called partner and brother. But he couldn’t quite summon irritation at Evangeline because there was something different about her. Never before had Drake taken a woman like this, nor had he acted so forbiddingly possessive from the very first moment he’d laid eyes on her.
And in a way, Justice could see why. There was something about Evangeline, and it took him a while to put his finger on it, but when it hit he realized it immediately. This was no calculating, mercenary woman out to fleece Drake for all she could get in the short time he’d keep her around.
Evangeline was innocent, naïve, sweet to her bones and as genuine as they came. She had a gentle disposition and from all he’d heard from Thane, she was loyal and ferocious in her defense of others, even those she didn’t know. She’d dressed her friend down over her disdain of Maddox and Thane, which upped his respect for her tenfold. Women like her did not defend men like him. Especially to their best friends.
But according to Thane, she’d acted like a lioness protecting her cubs and had been furious at the judgment levied against Maddox and Thane by her friend, and she’d taken her down several notches and let her know in no uncertain terms what she thought of her opinion.
It was hard not to respect a sweet, gentle woman who looked like she could be easily intimidated and yet breathed fire when defending people she felt were being unfairly judged.
Justice hadn’t been impressed with the women Drake associated with in the past but had never concerned himself over the matter because he never kept a woman more than a few days at most, but Evangeline seemed to be, from all appearances, someone Drake intended to keep around for far longer. Never had he outfitted one of his women from head to toe. He normally gave them an expensive gift—usually jewelry—and then sent them on their way. Justice felt an unfamiliar protective instinct arising in his chest, tightening to the point of discomfort at the idea of Drake callously discarding her when he tired of her. If the man couldn’t tell the difference between Evangeline and the bitches he’d hooked up with in the past, then he was a stupid bastard, and if Drake tossed her, the thought crossed Justice’s mind that he would be more than willing to step in and give her the respect and care she deserved.
He’d taken her to one of his favorite restaurants before embarking on the shopping trip, and she’d seemed as uncomfortable in the expensive eatery as she did in the upscale designer shops. She’d studied the menu for several long minutes, concentrating so hard he thought her head might burst. When he realized she’d chosen the most inexpensive item on the menu, he’d ignored her request and ordered her a Wagyu steak. She’d immediately squeaked in horror and whispered that it cost two hundred dollars! For a steak! He’d merely smiled and told the waiter to serve him the same and then asked Evangeline how she liked her steak cooked. She looked so befuddled and appalled at the price that he’d gone the middle road and ordered medium for her and medium rare for himself.
When the meals arrived, she’d stared at the small steak, shaking her head in disbelief.
“Just try it,” Justice coaxed. “It melts in your mouth. Best steak you’ll ever taste. Guaranteed.”
“Two hundred dollars good?” she asked skeptically. “Two hundred dollars more than feeds me and my roommates for an entire month.”
He’d just grinned at her and cut into his own steak, silently observing her as she gingerly cut a small piece almost reverently as if she hated the idea of consuming something that was exorbitant—to her—in price. But when she’d delicately chewed that first bite, her eyes closed and a low moan escaped her lips that had him clenching his jaw, his own steak forgotten as he watched the sheer enjoyment on her face.
“Oh my God,” she said with a groan. “This is amazing.”
“Told you,” he said smugly.
“It’s still not two hundred dollars amazing,” she muttered.
He merely grinned and resumed eating his steak, barely tasting it, which was a crime in itself because he was too absorbed in watching Evangeline’s first experience with the decadent beef.
After they’d finished, he’d announced they were going shopping, something that would delight mos
t women. Certainly all of Drake’s previous women. Evangeline, however, had looked as if she’d just been told she had to clean toilets.
Now, they were nearly done. Only one more destination.
He nearly grinned when she realized their next stop was a lingerie store. And not just any lingerie store. One that dealt with decadent, sexy, alluring garments meant to drive men insane with lust.
Her cheeks flamed bright red and she turned pleading eyes to Justice, and he had to rub his chest to alleviate the discomfort over her obvious embarrassment.
“You can wait outside,” she whispered. “It’s not necessary that you be here. Drake has arranged an assortment of stuff in every other store we’ve visited, so I doubt this will be any different.”
And then she promptly blushed, likely realizing that Drake had called and given the saleslady what he wanted in exacting detail, and Evangeline would have to face the woman knowing that Drake had been explicit in his wishes.
He smiled gently at her and palmed her shoulders. “Sweetheart, there’s no reason to be embarrassed. You’re right in that there is a pile of stuff waiting at the counter, and I tell you what. I’ll go to the counter and wait while you look around and see if there’s anything that catches your eye. Bring whatever you pick out to the checkout and I promise not to give it a single glance. I’ll pay for it and then turn my back. But I can’t leave you in the store alone. Drake would have my balls for leaving you unprotected for one moment. He wants me with you at all times.”
Her flush deepened to the roots of her hair, and his heart softened when he thought he was incapable of such a feat. He briefly touched her cheek.
“You don’t have to be ashamed with me, Evangeline. You have nothing to be ashamed of. I’d like to consider us friends.”
He nearly choked on the words. Friends? Now he was certain he was losing his goddamn mind. He had no friends, save the men he called brothers, and he damn sure didn’t consider women of any kind friends. He either wrote them off as grasping bitches, or he took them to bed and made damn sure they both had a good time. And now he was spouting bullshit about platonic friendship with a woman most men would have had in their bed before she could blink. Drake owed him. Big.
“Now go do your shopping while I have the saleslady package what Drake has already arranged, and as I promised, when you are finished, I’ll give the saleslady the credit card and turn my back. All I will do is carry the bags to the car. No peeking. I promise!”
She gifted him with a smile that momentarily robbed him of breath, and suddenly he could see even more why Drake was so fascinated with this woman. She was the real deal. A rarity in the circles they traveled. Not a fake bone in her body. He was stunned by that revelation and not at all sure what to do about it. An unfamiliar emotion—jealousy—tightened his chest, and he swore violently to himself. Damn Drake and his luck to have found this one before any of the other men who ran Impulse with him.
He watched as she hesitantly browsed the racks, watching closely for the items that she paid extra attention to only to hastily drop when she looked at the price tag. He sent the saleslady a pointed look, and when Evangeline went to the next area, the saleslady promptly collected the items Evangeline had favored but had not chosen because of the price.
To the saleslady’s credit, she bagged the things Evangeline had hastily put back so she didn’t know they’d been purchased and then rang up the total, sliding the ticket in Justice’s direction. Once finished, Justice collected all the bags and escorted Evangeline out to the waiting car.
“Are we finished?” she asked in a wary tone.
He smiled. “Yeah, sweetheart. I’m taking you home now.”
He ushered her into the car and then walked around to the street side and slid into the backseat next to her. As they glided into traffic, she aimed her gaze out the window, seemingly fascinated with the city, almost as though she’d never been to New York. Her reaction seemed odd for someone who lived and worked here.
As if sensing his scrutiny, she glanced his way self-consciously and gave him a small smile.
“I never get used to it,” she confessed, her hand fluttering toward the window. “I’m not sure I ever will.”
“What?” Justice asked curiously.
“All the hustle and bustle. The people. The skyscrapers. All the businesses and cars, the buildings stacked on top of one another. It reminds me of the anthills we had back home when they get stirred up and all the ants run everywhere.”
He laughed, noting the southern drawl he found charming.
“Where are you from, Evangeline?”
“Mississippi,” she said in a wistful tone.
“And what brought you to the city?”
Pain flashed in her eyes, making him instantly regret having asked a seemingly benign question. She turned her gaze back to the passing scenery as honks and the sounds of traffic blared in the background.
“I needed to make more money to help my parents,” she said simply.
The way she said it indicated the subject wasn’t open to further discussion, so he didn’t press, though now he was curious as to why she would have moved to New York because her parents needed money.
From what he knew of her, she worked late shifts in a bar in Queens. Surely there were better jobs to be had in Mississippi. And the way she’d spoken of the city in comparison to her home, she sounded very much like she was homesick and unhappy here.
He frowned, wanting to query Drake about her situation, but Drake wouldn’t take well to that at all. Not that Drake would ever think one of his brothers would poach on his territory, but what was Drake’s was Drake’s and he kept what was his to himself. Hell, they were all like that. Maybe it was why the group of men who worked with and for Drake had such a strong bond. They had too much in common and understood one another’s needs. Privacy being uppermost. And not being questioned and especially not answering to anyone except one another. It was an arrangement that worked well and was extremely profitable.
A sudden thought occurred to him. If Evangeline knew everything about Drake’s “business matters,” she’d likely bolt like a bat out of hell. His previous women didn’t give a shit as long as they got what they wanted out of the arrangement. Evangeline, on the other hand, didn’t appear to him to be a woman who could be bought. She was too honest and he couldn’t imagine her looking the other way on any unlawful activity.
The very qualities that put her miles above any other woman Drake had ever taken could well be what made him lose her. But then, Drake’s track record suggested Evangeline wouldn’t be around that long. Longer than the others, Justice was confident of that. But likely not long enough to ever have a clue about the things Drake—and the rest of them—dealt in. And she certainly wouldn’t condone their brand of justice. Hell, if she knew her ex-boyfriend was even now recovering from a well-deserved ass kicking, she’d be horrified, no matter how much she hated the bastard.
Justice sighed. Drake had stepped in it this time. Evangeline just wasn’t like the other women, and that was going to cause Drake a lot of trouble. Provided he kept her long enough for it to become an issue.
Evangeline kept casting furtive looks in Justice’s direction. He didn’t turn to face her, not wanting to cause awkwardness. Instead he continued to study her from his periphery. Several times, she inhaled and opened her mouth only to promptly shut it and turn back to the window.
She obviously wanted to ask or say something but was too shy to do so. Why he found that so charming, he had no idea, but at the same time, the thought of her being afraid of him didn’t sit well at all. And that thought was even more ludicrous because he, like his brothers, cultivated healthy fear and respect from others. But the idea of Drake’s woman being afraid to say something to him? It turned his stomach.
“Evangeline?”
She whirled her head around guiltily and met his gaze a split second before lowering her lashes and nervously fixing her stare on the space between them on the seat.
Impulsively, he reached over and covered her hand with his, feeling her jump beneath his touch. Controlling his frown, he squeezed comfortingly.
“Look at me, Evangeline.”
Though it was a command, his voice was soft and encouraging.
Cautiously she raised her chin so that her deep blue eyes fringed in dark eyelashes met his.
“There something you want to ask me? I don’t bite. Well, unless you ask me politely,” he finished with a grin.
She blinked, startled by the teasing remark, and then to his surprise she burst out laughing.
Dear God, in that moment he was so fucking envious of Drake that he was tempted to instruct the driver to take them to his place, and he’d do his best to make her forget all about Drake Donovan. He’d just tell Drake that the lady changed her mind. He mentally smacked himself on the head and shut down that train of thought. Drake was his brother, as were all the men closest to him. But . . . If Drake stayed true to form and this was a short-lived affair, then Justice would be waiting. Although something told him Evangeline was going to be a game changer for Drake. Whether he knew it or not.
“Evangeline?” he prompted when she remained quiet, though her eyes still sparkled with mirth.
“Uh, Mr. . . .”
She looked to him in sudden confusion.
“Justice,” he said gently. “My name is Justice. No Mister. I imagine we’ll be seeing one another frequently, so there’s no need for formality.”
She seemed to ponder his statement, the laughter fading from her eyes, replaced by unease and confusion. This was a woman who had no idea of her place in Drake’s life. Drake had better rectify that soon or she’d be gone in a flash.
“Um, Justice, then, what time will Mr. Donovan, I mean Drake, be home, I mean back to his apartment?”
Her uncertainty was killing him. Damn, but he wanted to hug her just to comfort and reassure her, but if he did that, there was no guarantee she’d ever get to Drake’s apartment and then Drake would kill him. Or try.
He’d always adhered to the creed of a woman never coming between brothers, but at the moment he considered that some women might just be worth it. He mentally shook his head at the rueful thought and promptly stopped dwelling on what would never happen.
“Drake will be home at six and he doesn’t want you to worry about dressing for dinner. He plans for the two of you to eat in tonight.”
Panic flared in her eyes and she yanked her hand from him, putting it with her other one, squeezing in agitation. She bit into her bottom lip, her mind obviously going a mile a minute.
“I need to stop at the nearest market,” she blurted. “Please?”
He stared at her, perplexed by the unexpected request and the fact that she was obviously upset about something. He shrugged. His orders had been to make Evangeline happy and allow her what she wanted as long as it was safe and Justice never left her side. He pressed the button to the intercom and instructed the driver to stop at the nearest grocery, and took in Evangeline’s relief from the corner of his eye. Who knew what had set her off.
A few minutes later, they pulled to the front of a gourmet grocery store that was popular for its selection of the finest products and a wide variety of ethnic foods. Evangeline immediately popped out of the car before Justice could get out and go around to open her door, and she hurried toward the entrance, leaving Justice striding to catch up with her.
He caught her at the door and she regarded him with a frown.
“It’s not necessary for you to go in with me. I’ll only be a few minutes. You can wait in the car. I’m sure you’ve had your fill of shopping for the day.”
Justice frowned back at her, his jaw set in a stubborn line.
“It’s necessary.”
She rolled her eyes, clearly disgruntled.
“Whatever,” she muttered as she proceeded inside the market.
She grabbed one of the small baskets to put her groceries in, which he promptly confiscated, eliciting another frown from her. Then, muttering to herself, she hurriedly made her way down each of the aisles, her face a study in intense concentration.
He wondered what the hell had prompted this unexpected grocery shopping expedition, but a quick look at her told him she was about to melt down, and the last thing he wanted on his hands was a hysterical female. So he kept quiet and followed her down the aisles, taking the things she picked and putting them into the basket he carried.
To his surprise, she didn’t opt for the less expensive items. She chose the most expensive brand names, comparing them meticulously before making her final selection. At the meat counter, she stared at the offerings, and he could almost see the wheels turning in her head as she pensively chewed her bottom lip.
Finally she opted for fresh fish and after handing him the wrapped fillets, she immediately turned and hurried to the section where wine was sold.
It was here she took the longest, staring and studying, muttering under her breath. Maybe the morning’s shopping trip had been too much, because clearly she’d lost her mind.
In the end, she chose two bottles. One, an expensive red wine, the other an equally expensive and excellent-quality white.
After that, he thought she might well have lost her mind because she spent another fifteen minutes in the baking aisle, although he couldn’t help peeking at the assortment of ingredients she put into the basket, his mouth watering at the possibilities of the delectable desserts that could be made with the things she’d purchased.
“I’m done,” she said, though a frown creased her brow as she stared at the items in the basket. Almost as if she were trying to think of anything she’d missed.
After a moment she strode toward the checkout, where Justice plopped the basket down. After the clerk rang up the purchases, Justice saw Evangeline’s visible wince, and then she reached into her pocket and pulled out a wad of carefully folded twenties. She looked anxiously at the total reflected on the cashier machine and back at the cash in her hand as if worried she wouldn’t have enough to cover it. She slowly counted it out and heaved a sigh of relief when she reached the correct amount with one twenty to spare.
He frowned and caught her wrist just before she handed the clerk the cash. He sent her a look of reprimand and then swiped Drake’s credit card to complete the purchase.
Evangeline didn’t look happy with him, but hell if he was going to be the one to tell Drake that his woman had tried to pay for several hundred dollars’ worth of groceries when she was, or rather had been, living in a shit apartment,