King(11)

Evie got her coat out of the closet and put it on. “Ready.”

It took twenty minutes to get to King’s house from the clubhouse. Evie sat near the passenger door while Shade drove Cash’s old truck with Lily sitting in the middle. As he pulled into the driveway, Evie hoped the night wasn’t going to be a disaster.

When Henry opened the door for them, King was sitting in the living room. Evie watched silently as Lily greeted her father, bending down to hug him and brushing a soft kiss on his cheek.

“Shade.”

“King.”

Evie saw the two men size each other up. Shade had dressed in his good jeans, boots and a nice black shirt. King’s eyes flicked over Shade’s relaxed attire. Shit. Evie could see where the night was headed within three minutes of walking into the door.

“Evie,” King greeted her.

She gritted her teeth against his condescending tone. The man was fucking unbelievable. “King.” She allowed her voice to be as condescending as the queen of fucking Sheba.

A twist of his lips showed she had made her point.

“Henry, get everyone a drink.”

Lily’s wary look as she sat down on the leather couch showed how little King knew his daughter. She was still uncomfortable being around liquor. While she was around it more constantly at the clubhouse, she didn’t think the woman would ever lose the fear it inspired; her scars ran too deep.

Neither Lily nor Shade had ever explained Lily’s reasons for her fears, but if it was as bad as the shadows that used to be in her eyes, Evie didn’t want to know. She had heard enough on the night the basement had caught on fire to break her heart, and Evie hadn’t thought that was possible. She had seen too many tragedies during her lifetime to be squeamish; however, what she had found out that night had been horrendous.

Evie was sitting down on a chair when the doorbell rang again. As Beth and Razer came into the living room, Beth was much more casual with King, giving him a hug and inquiring how he felt.

“I’m almost back to normal.”

Normal wouldn’t be how she characterized the granite-faced man who sat with his glass of bourbon in his hand.

“Dinner’s ready.” Henry’s voice broke the silence in the room.

Evie gratefully got to her feet, going into the dining room. The table had been set lavishly. Both Shade and King sat on opposite ends of the table, so Evie took an open seat, unfortunately, the one next to King.

She took a tiny sip of her wine before picking up her water glass. The food was delicious—a standing rib roast with fingerling potatoes and asparagus tips—making Evie want seconds. She was glad she had restrained herself, though, when Henry brought out a chocolate mousse that was decadent.

She licked the small amount from her lips, feeling King's eyes on the movement. His eyes caught hers before Evie tore her gaze away, looking down at her empty bowl.

“Would you like more?”

“No, I think that was enough.” She let her voice carry her warning. She wasn’t going to play along with his attempted flirtation.

He nodded his head, turning his attention to Lily. “Would you like more?”

“Yes, please. I have a weakness for chocolate.”

Evie finished her water while dessert was eaten, and when they went back into the living room, Evie had started to relax. The dinner had gone well and the night was almost over.

“How do you like working in the church store, Lily?”

“I love it. The Christmas holidays have left our shelves almost bare, though. So, we’re having a clothing and food drive this Sunday after church. There’s supposed to be a break in the weather. Pastor Dean—I mean, Lucky—thought it would be a good way for the new pastor to meet the congregation.”

“I’ll have to attend. It will be a good time to meet the rest of your friends.”

“That would be nice.”

“You’re content at the store instead of using your degree? After all, anyone can be a cashier.”

Here we go, Evie thought, seeing the others in the room stiffen at the indirect insult.

“No, I really like it. It’s more than being a cashier. I have to approve of the needs of the people coming in—”

“I’m glad you don’t feel like you’re settling with the job opportunities available in Treepoint.” King’s interruption of Lily talking didn’t sit well with Shade or Beth. Razer wasn’t much happier, but he was able to hide it better.

“Lily’s excellent at her job. Several families in the community have benefited from Lily working there. She’s also helping them find jobs.” Shade’s arm went around Lily’s shoulder, and her eyes smiled up into his.