“He might never get me out of this bed.” Her drowsy voice filled the oversized bedroom.
The bastard could fuck, so she might manage to have some fun in Queen City while she did what Shade wanted. No one said she couldn’t find out everything she needed to know about King and still enjoy herself. If she could get him to lower his guard, she would be able to find out more about him while keeping her emotions contained. She was confident she could remain neutral. He didn’t stand a shot in Hell of getting inside her heart—it was already taken.
Chapter 11
Sometime the next morning, a sharp smack on her ass woke her.
“Hey!” Evie mumbled, burrowing further under the pillow lying over the back of her head.
“I have to go to work.”
“So? Go and leave me alone.”
She felt the bed sink down next to her, his hand soothing the tingling on her ass before his mouth brushed her neck. “You owe me one.”
Evie turned her head to the side, opening one eye. “If you’ve got the time, I’ve got the skill.”
“Don’t tempt me. I have a meeting in fifteen minutes; I’ve got to go. I’ll send Henry back for you. He’ll be downstairs when you’re ready.”
“Okay.”
King’s mouth kissed her lips briefly before he rose from the bed.
“King?”
“Yes?”
“Next time, leave me a note. Don’t wake me up.” She rolled over, sitting up in bed and rubbing her bleary eyes.
“I’ll keep that in mind.”
“Do that.” She plopped backwards on the bed, pulling the pillow back over her face. “I’m on vacation, dammit.”
His laughter followed him out the door as he slammed it behind him.
“Mother-fucker.” She wouldn’t be able to go back to sleep.
Taking her dress and underwear, she went into the bathroom where she showered and washed her hair; it didn’t take long. Evie then stepped out of the shower, dressing quickly. Brushing her hair, she blow-dried it only long enough to take the wetness out, leaving it still damp.
Evie went into the bedroom, taking a deep breath and pushing the guilt down as she began her search.
* * *
“You want me to send Henry to get her?”
“No, leave her alone.” King watched the security camera with his head of security. Taking a puff of his cigar, he stared at Evie as she searched through his drawers and closet. She even searched under his bed and mattress before going into the other room. The other room was treated the same before she put on her shoes and purse, going out the door without a backward glance.
“Call Henry and tell him she’s on the way down, and put one of Jackal's men on her. I want her watched twenty-four hours unless she is with me.”
“Got it.”
King went out of the security room that was next-door to his office. Going to his desk, he opened the folder waiting for him; Jackal had handed it to him at their meeting. King drank his coffee while he read. When he finished, he sat back smoking his cigar. He should have checked her out before when he first realized he was attracted to her. He refused to feel guilty over some of the things he had said to her, though. How was he supposed to know she had been dealt a shitty hand?
King began wavering in his outright judgment on Shade, as well. It was hard to judge them when his own life was much dirtier than theirs, and some of the things they had done were to right wrongs done to them.
Evie had been dealt with the worst. She had downplayed the viciousness she had suffered after her rape by the commanding officer. She had been a damn good Corpsman, and the Navy had lost a woman who’d had dreams of making the military a home. She had easily transferred her loyalty to The Last Riders, and King couldn’t blame her.
He switched focus, bringing his mind back to work. He began making phone calls and taking appointments from those needing to be discreet. He also set up an important meeting with Ice. It took him the better part of the day before he could even take time to eat, and afterwards, before he went back to work, he called Evie.
“Hello?”
“Evie.”
“How did you get my number?”
“I looked on your phone before I left.”
“The phone was in my purse.”
“Yes, it was.” King couldn’t hide the smile in his voice.
“Haven’t you heard it’s bad manners to snoop?” King thought that was hilarious coming from the woman who had searched through his underwear drawer.
“Sorry.” He wasn’t, just as he was sure she felt no recrimination for searching his apartment.
“What do you want?”
“Have dinner with me at the club.”
“You want me to eat with you while women are on the stage naked?”