King(49)

“No.” Evie picked up her phone and purse, ready to leave the close confines of the bedroom. She stared back at him coldly as he blocked her exit.

“Evie, I know I fucked up.”

“How many times do I have to tell you I don’t want to talk?”

“Haven’t you ever screwed up, Evie?”

“Not when I give my loyalty to someone. Loyalty is everything.” She touched the tattoo on the curve of her breast. “I hurt Beth one time, and I will always regret it. I did it because I was loyal to The Last Riders. I broke that loyalty—men who have stood beside me for years—for you. They deserve my loyalty; you do not.” Evie walked past him into the living room.

“I’ll call Henry.”

As Evie heard the defeat in his voice, she wanted to turn around and hide in his arms. The last thing she wanted to do was leave him, but he had showed her he didn’t trust her. He had been pretending to care for her to find out a way to hurt her friends, and he had almost succeeded.

While they stood, awkwardly waiting for Henry’s arrival, her eyes roved to the television screen behind King’s shoulder. There was a breaking news report describing the violence of the last twenty-four hours. They were detailing the gruesome discovery of several bodies at the warehouse, then the shocking execution-style killing of Digger as he was being moved to a safe house. King stared along with Evie as they watched Digger’s sheet-covered body loaded into the coroner’s van.

“I would have paid him for that one myself,” King commented, not making eye contact.

“It wasn’t for you.” It was for Lily; it would always be about Lily for Shade.

King’s phone rang, announcing Henry’s arrival downstairs.

King walked her to the elevator and Evie felt the tension climb, sensing King wanted her to stay. However, when the elevator opened, Evie stepped in, her finger pressing the lobby button. “Goodbye, King.”

His hand stopped the elevator from closing. “I know you hate me right now, and I don’t blame you. I asked for your trust without giving you mine. I was wrong. It wasn’t the first time I was wrong dealing with you, though, and I’m sure it won’t be the last. My sister was murdered because I trusted someone’s word I shouldn’t have, and she paid the price.

“I’ve made no secret of the fact that I don’t like Shade, and I was well aware your loyalty to him came first. Last night, you threw yourself in front of me to save me from him. Whether you know it or not, you made a decision to pick me over The Last Riders.

“I’m moving to Treepoint, but it’s going to take me some time to finish up here. That will give you some time to cool down and come to the same realization I have—we belong together. We are fucking good together. And neither you nor The Last Riders are going to keep me from proving I can be worthy of your loyalty. I’ll see you in a few weeks.”

Evie didn’t say anything, letting the elevator door close on the man she had come to love.

* * *

Three days later, her bags were packed once more. Evie stared down at the new suitcases she had purchased containing new clothes. The only things leaving with her she had brought were The Last Riders’ t-shirts she used to sleep in. She had also purchased a couple of nightshirts in different colors.

“I’ll see you this summer when I come in for the Fourth of July picnic.” Penni hugged her.

“Take care, Penni.” Evie picked up her suitcase, opening the door. “Be careful around the Predators.”

“I will. I have no intention of becoming involved with them.” Evie looked at her doubtfully. While Penni was trying her best to avoid the Predators, she hoped her antagonism for them remained strong. She was glad Penni was in and out of town, touring with Mouth2Mouth.

“Bye, Evie.”

“Goodbye, Penni,” she said with finality, going out the door.

She blinked back tears in her eyes. She was going to miss Penni. They had grown close the last several weeks living together.

Wheeling her suitcase out of the elevator, she stopped at the concierge desk. The new employee had been hired when the old one had let the man kidnap her onto the elevator for a large tip.

Evie reached into her purse, pulling out a thick envelope.

“Keep an eye on her. If you see she’s in any kind of trouble, call the number in the envelope. It’s her brother.”

“I will. Thanks, Evie.”

She nodded, handing him the envelope of money before rolling her suitcase outside where the taxi she had called was waiting. The driver put her suitcase in the trunk while Evie climbed into the car. The driver slammed the trunk then got back behind the wheel.