At the raised voices in the other room Evie pointed to them, “Well, you might want to tell your husband that. He’s going all crazy rock star over there.”
Evie leaned back against the counter and watched her pregnant best friend wade into the middle of three men who were all yelling at each other on what was the best course of action. She looked over at Kat who sat there looking at the floor, shoulders hunched. The pain she must have gone through. Damn it Lexi, now she’s got me going all soft.
– CHAPTER TWENTY –
Kat got up and walked out of the house, unnoticed, or so she thought. She stood there and watched the ocean roll in. Wrapping her arms around herself she wondered how she got here. Wishing for the woman she used to be and not knowing how to get her back.
She stiffened when she heard someone come up behind her. Without looking, she knew who it was. “I’m not going anywhere.”
Jackson was just inches behind her. She could feel his heat. “I know. I thought you could use a friend.”
She whirled on him. “Why? I don’t understand you.”
He gently tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “You never did.” He held out his hand waiting for her to trust him. After a moment, she placed her hand in his and they walked back into the house.
*
Everyone was up early and watching the news when Anthony and Evie walked in. They had decided to call the authorities last night and it was all over the news about Jeremy Ellison and his horrific crimes. It was nothing compared to what had been on last time after he attacked Lexi. Now with all the new information from New York, London, St. Thomas, Seattle and La Jolla, there was no hiding what he had done.
Evie wondered if it was going to help or hurt their chances of catching him. Seeing his face flash across the screen she could tell the subtle differences between him and Anthony, but to the general public, they would look the same. She looked over at Anthony knowing it wasn’t going to be easy for him. Everywhere he goes until this bastard is caught will mean he’ll be questioned.
They all decided to stay on Noah’s property for the day. They felt safe knowing the guards were all around. The men were still trying to find any other information they could about Jeremy, or Jay, or David and weren’t coming up with much, which meant they were cranky. Even the Troublesome Trio were quiet. They all had their noses buried in books and would whisper quietly to each other every once in a while.
Evie watched Kat sit outside by herself most of the day. She seemed just to sit there and stare at nothing. Part of her wanted Kat to suffer, the other part of her wanted to help. She was about to go out to her when Lexi sat down with her. She didn’t have to hear to know what they were talking about. Maybe they would be able to help each other, especially Lexi help Kat. Remembering the difference from Lexi before the first attack and right after, then how she healed and met Noah. Then another attack and more healing. Lexi could help her; she just had to be open to it.
Evie let the guys know that she was going back to the cottage to lie down. They hadn’t been getting much sleep and all the time changes had done a number on her. She opened the windows and laid down letting the cool ocean breeze wash over her as she fell into a deep sleep.
*
Evie slowly came awake to the feel of someone’s hands gently running up and down her body. For a brief moment she didn’t know where she was or who could be touching her, but then she breathed in deep and smelled Anthony’s scent.
“Good morning, la mia belezza. You missed dinner. I’ve brought it to you. Come, we’ll eat on the balcony.”
Evie stretched and got up. After freshening up she joined him. “Anything new after I left?”
Anthony shook his head. “No, and let’s not talk about it. I just want a night away from it all. To just sit here and enjoy your company, look at your beautiful face and watch the stars come out.”
That sounded wonderful to Evie. They spent a nice quiet evening just talking about their pasts and the hope for the future, with no mention of the darkness that was right outside their door.
Anthony stood and held his hand out to her. She could tell by the look in his eyes, it wasn’t just to go to bed. With just the moonlight to guide them, he led them into the room and slowly started to undress her. “You look so beautiful in the moonlight. I could spend hours just looking at you.” Using the back of his hand, his touch moved from her cheek, down her neck, across her nipple and down her stomach. Using his other hand he gripped the back of her neck and pulled her in for a deep kiss that made her weak in the knees.