Evan (Novella): 3.5 (A Carter Brother Series) (5 page)

I had to get out of there. The room was suffocating me, and with her wearing my t-shirt and the image of her body from earlier still haunting me, I couldn’t handle being so close. I’ve never had a woman affect me the way she does.

I was glad she’d been dead to the world when I got her undressed because I would have hated her seeing my reaction. First it was the desire that had hit me hard seeing her so vulnerable, so peaceful. Her face had been relaxed, free of any turmoil she had going on inside that head of hers. But then I had seen the bruises that fucker had inflicted on her. I had to go outside and kick the shit out of the dustbin to get my frustration out. I fucking hate men that lay their hands on women. It’s weak, insulting to other men, and down straight wrong.

Don’t get me wrong, I’ve seen women hit men and even been in situations where I’ve had to restrain a woman from hurting their bloke. But still, men that prey on weaker, innocent women, or any women, infuriate me, and by the look of Kennedy’s bruises she had no chance in hell of fighting back. The bloke that did it didn’t hold back. She’s such a tiny, delicate thing that it’s hard picturing someone wanting to hurt her.

Walking into the kitchen I take the containers from out of the microwave and place them on the side. Getting a couple of fresh plates out, I start grabbing some stuff for myself when Kennedy walks in.

“Smells yummy.’’

See? So fucking cute.

“Here, take what you like. I’ll warm it up for you. I ordered it an hour or so ago.’’

“What time is it?’’ she asks looking around for a clock.

“It’s just gone eleven.’’

“Oh gosh! I can’t believe I slept that long,’’ she gasps, grabbing food. I’m actually surprised she’s throwing food on her plate the way she is. She doesn’t seem like the type of person that would stuff her face in front of a male. Then again, we aren’t dating. Every other girl that I’ve dated has eaten like they’re worried someone will notice. It pissed me off. Everyone eats to survive, it’s not like what they’re doing is rare.

“Like I said, you must have needed it,’’ I tell her smiling. Walking into the front room after I’ve finished heating up our food, she follows me.

“I just feel bad. I mean, I left Imogen with you and you’ve only just met each other. Then I crash in your bed like I own the place. It just doesn’t feel right. Me being here and all.’’

“I wouldn’t have offered, Kennedy, if I didn’t mean it. I want to help you and having you here will help keep you safe. I’m not going to let you get hurt. Again.’’

In fact, having her here feels right somehow and not just because of Imogen either. Something about seeing her lay in my bed sleeping did something to me. But I know with everything going on, if I start something with her it will most likely end badly.

“Thank you,’’ she whispers, and by the way she’s staring down at her plate I would imagine she doesn’t have this kind of help all the time.

“What do you do for a living?’’ I ask her, wanting to get to know her.

She looks up from her plate and when she finishes chewing she looks at me nervously. “I work in a cafe in town. I’m hoping to get something better, but there aren’t many jobs going.’’

She’s cute when she rambles.

“How long have you been working there?’’

“Four years,’’ she tells me hesitantly. “What about you, how long have you been working for the police?’’

“I’m not working for them now. I’ve actually started my own business with a good friend of mine, Harris.’’

“Sounds interesting. What will you be doing now?’’ she asks, taking another bite from her food.

“A bit of everything, I guess. We will be fitting security systems for people, private investigations and security for people that hire us. It will vary. We’ll still have to look into cheating spouses, but it will get better.’’

“Sounds really good. If you don’t mind me asking, what happened with my sister? The night, you know, Imogen was conceived. Even though I know she was a b.i.t.c.h. I never thought she’d be capable of that,’’ she tells me, whispering when she spells the word bitch.

Then it occurs to me. I’ve never heard her swear. I chuckle and she gives me a strange look which only makes me grin.

Putting the plate down, finished with my food, I look to Kennedy with a serious expression. “I’m not really supposed to talk about the case or anything involved with it, but because no harm can really come of it, I’ll tell you. Your sister was mixed up with some pretty shitty people. I had been undercover for a year. Your sister had always come on to me, but I always pushed her away. And before you ask, it wasn’t because I was on a job; it was because I didn’t like your sister. I know that’s wrong, she’s your sister and all, but...’’

“I understand, you don’t need to apologise, she has never been the nicest girl so whatever you have to say I can take it.’’

I give her a gentle smile and store that information in the back of my mind for later. I want to know how the two of them could be complete opposites.

“Well, she basically sold herself to the men if they offered and slept with the ones she thought she could get something out of. She hung around the unit more than any of the men who worked there.

“I guess on the last night, before the whole raid happened, she thought she would slip me something, though I can never prove that. I hadn’t drunk anything until that night. I wanted to keep a level head, but my boss said I needed to make sure that I blended in, that I needed to be relaxed.

“I started to feel funny, light-headed, and my vision turned blurry. The next thing I knew I woke up naked in one of the bunks at the back of the unit with your sister next to me. Every day afterwards I would remember something else about that night, about her,’’ I tell her, keeping my voice indifferent. I don’t want her to really know how much it bothered me knowing my dick had been inside her skanky sister.

“Oh my, gosh,’’ she gasps, her eyes watering. “I can’t believe her. Did you know she was pregnant?’’

“What? No! Why do you ask?’’

“Because she told me she told you, but some stuff got in the way.’’

“No. If I had known I would have taken Imogen far, far away from her,’’ I promise her, and she gives me a small smile.

“She left the night she gave birth,’’ she blurts out, and I feel my eyes go wide.

“What?’’

“Yeah. She didn’t care. After a week the hospital helped me get parental guardianship of Imogen so I could grant permission for the tests they needed to do. I found Vicky, got her to sign away her rights. I got granted full custody when Vicky died.’’

“How are you two totally different?’’ I ask out loud and watch a faint pink blush rise on her cheeks.

“I don’t know,’’ she whispers. “She was always like it. Even as a kid. I’m the youngest, my brother, who died from cot death when he was six months old, would have been the eldest. My mom always put her attitude down to being the middle child, but I always saw something dark within her, you know?

“She was always getting into trouble, even before everything happened. When our parents died she got worse. We got separated for a while before they found us a home to take us both in, but even then she ruined it. In the end they put me with a good family, one that agreed to still let me see her, but not live with her. She resented me for that, I think.’’

“You didn’t get along?’’ I ask her. I’m not surprised to hear any of this. I knew Vicky had a hard past and that her parents died. I also knew she had a sister, but she was never checked out with the investigation. But I guess I always presumed she was just like her. I couldn’t have been more wrong.

“Not from the first time I can remember. She’d take everything my parents ever bought me. Whether it was a pair of knickers that would never have fitted her, she’d take it. She caused arguments, fights and never cared who she was hurting. She’d bully me non-stop,’’ she shrugs.

Jesus. Her sister really was a fucking bitch. And to grow up with her as her only family must have sucked.

At least now she has me and Imogen.

Fuck! Where the hell did that come from? Needing a drink I get up quickly, startling her. “I’m going to get a beer. Do you want one or do you want something else?’’ I ask taking her empty plate.

“Um, I’ll have a water, or tea, thanks,’’ she smiles, sitting back in the chair. She looks so lost and small in that chair. It completely swallows her tiny frame.

Walking back in I hand Kennedy her tea and take my seat back on the sofa. Kennedy has made herself at home and has tucked her feet under her and got a pillow snuggled on her belly with her cup of steaming hot tea in her hand.

“So,’’ I start. Picking up the files I move closer towards her. “I’ve been going through these files all night and so far I can’t pick anything up from what you told me. I’ve had a folder of pictures brought over of everyone connected to the case. Can you take a look and see if you recognise him?’’

She nods her head firmly, but with the way her hands shake I can tell she is remembering everything from this morning and is nervous as hell.

“Are you doing okay?’’ I ask as she flicks through them.

“I guess. Everything seems to have happened so quickly. My whole body feels swollen and it aches. But other than the fact I don’t understand what is going on, I’m fine.’’

“I promise he won’t touch you again,’’ I tell her strongly, needing her to hear the truth in my words.

She looks up from the folder and holds my eye contact. “I know you won’t.’’

The way she says it has my heart beating overdrive. She’s putting her trust in me so willingly and she doesn’t even know me. But I can’t help but feel a sense of pride at hearing her put so much faith in me. She didn’t even question herself.

Not knowing what else to say I let her flick through the folder in silence. Meanwhile, I keep myself busy and flick through tonight’s highlights of the game that I missed.

Half an hour later I hear a squeak come from Kennedy. Turning towards her I find tears running down her face, her hand over her mouth, and her eyes wide with fear and recognition.

“Have you found him?’’ I ask, kneeling down in front of her and taking both her hands in mine. “Look at me.’’

“It’s him,’’ she whispers. Removing her one hand from my grasp she points down at a picture. I take the folder from her and look at the picture in front of me.

“Fuck!’’

“What?’’ she asks panicked. I sit back on my heels and run a hand through my hair.

Damon fucking White. One of the biggest, most ruthless drug suppliers in town. No one has ever been able to get that fucker charged with anything. Even with the evidence we had stacked against him he still got let off.

“Tell me! You’re scaring me,’’ Kennedy pleads and I snap my head up to hers. Seeing her look so scared has me wanting to pull her into my arms.

“Are you sure this is him?’’ I ask quietly.

“Yes. I’ll never forget those eyes or that scar,’’ she tells me. Her body is shaking uncontrollably and she’s starting to become hysterical.

“Look, everything is going to be okay, but this guy? This guy is seriously bad news. Whatever your sister was mixed up in with him is bad. He’s not known to give second chances. He also demands having a backup plan for people who buy off him.’’

“That’s why he threatened me to pay up or he’d take Imogen,’’ she hiccups, tears falling down her face. I wipe them away, but they keep on flowing. Seeing her like this is breaking my heart.

“Babe, he won’t touch you again,’’ I promise her. I grab my phone off the table and dial William’s number.

“You better have a reason for interrupting my television time,’’ he growls and any other time I’d tease him, but this is serious.

“I need that help you promised me,’’ I tell him in a serious voice.

“Fuck! Who is it?’’

“Damon White.’’

“Shit!’’

Tossing and turning last night kept me up after hearing the way Evan talked to his old boss on the phone. He tried not to look worried, but I could see it in his eyes.

The way he tried to comfort me last night still flashes through my mind. I can still feel his soft fingers running across my cheeks, wiping away my tears and the way he held my hands. The way his voice would carry a certain gentleness to it but still sound so sure and firm at the same time.

I’m not looking forward to today and when I say that, I honestly mean it. I don’t know what’s going to happen.

Evan told me they’ve put a warrant out for this Damon guy’s arrest but, with no witnesses, his lawyer will have him out in no time. I asked why he was bothering getting him arrested if it wasn’t going to happen. He explained that he wanted to spook Damon, to let him know that they’re watching him in the hope that it gets him to back off. Personally, I don’t think he truly believes himself that he will. He couldn’t even look me in the eye when he said it to me.

After feeding Imogen and getting her dressed I put her in her Bumbo activity floor seat and made Evan breakfast. I felt bad that he had to sleep on his sofa. Even though it’s big, with his large frame it must have been uncomfortable for him.

A knock at the door startles me from what I’m doing. I drop the dishcloth and move to the hall to see if Evan heard. After he had eaten he went to get showered and dressed. Still hearing the shower, I walk towards the door, hoping it’s just the postman or a sale marketer.

“Hey...Oh hi, um...is...is Evan here?’’ a beautiful woman asks. I remember seeing her the first time I visited. She lives next door, I think.

I blush when the thought of her being Evan’s girlfriend enters my mind. Sugar! Does she know about Imogen? Or me? Or why we’re here? Will she go crazy on me?

“Yes, he’s...um...he’s in the shower. Would you like to come in and wait?’’

Before she answers Imogen starts crying wildly from her Bumbo seat and I rush off leaving the door wide open so I can go to her.

I hear the woman walk inside and when I turn I notice she’s left the door open behind her.

“If he’s busy I can come back,’’ she tells me sadly, not looking at me. Have I made things awkward?

Sugar! Did they break up over Imogen?

“He’ll be out...’’

“Oh, hey, Lexi. I thought I heard the door,’’ he says and I turn and nearly choke on my own saliva. Wet, tanned and tattooed, Evan stands in only a towel. A tribal tattoo runs from his chest and down his ribs. Another tattoo of a dragon covers the top half of his arm. How did I not know he had tattoos? How did I miss them?

What has me squeezing my thighs together and taking a large gulp is his abdomen. It’s lean, sculpted and drool worthy. Each muscle is defined by deep ridges, and I yearn to run my fingers down them.

He catches me staring and his eyes turn darker. I spin around to avoid his intense stare, rocking a crying Imogen in my arms.

“I wanted to talk to you, but I can see that this is a bad time,’’ she says and turns to go, but Evan’s deep rumbling voice stops her.

“Hold up. Let me just go get some clothes on and we’ll talk,’’ he tells her. He doesn’t give her a chance to answer, leaving no room for argument which I’ve found in the day I’ve known him, he does a lot. He rushes back down the hall to his bedroom, leaving me standing here feeling awkward.

“I’m Kennedy,’’ I introduce myself, manoeuvring Imogen to my other arm so I can reach out to shake hers.

“I’m Lexi,’’ she smiles but it doesn’t reach her eyes. She shakes my hand and let’s go quickly, taking a step back. Trying to calm Imogen down has made it hard to study Lexi, but from what I can tell she seems like a nice person. She doesn’t come off as standoffish, even with her uncomfortable silence. One thing that is clear for me to see is that she doesn’t like me being here.

“Would you like a drink?’’ Evan asks walking back in, now wearing jeans and a short sleeved black t-shirt.

“NO!’’ Lexi blurts out but then quietens her voice. “Sorry. No. I can’t stay long,’’ she smiles and frowns when Evan walks over towards me and holds his hands out for Imogen. I give him a smile, loving how easily he’s taken to her already. He’s a hands-on dad that’s for sure.

“Okay. I’d like you to meet someone, this is Kennedy,’’ he starts, and Lexi smiles.

“We’ve met.’’

“And this little pumpkin is, Immy, short for Imogen. She’s my daughter,’’ he smiles proudly. He’s so busy gazing down at a fussy Imogen that he doesn’t notice the way Lexi’s face falls. I want to reach out and comfort her, but something about her body language and expression has me staying out.

“Daughter?’’ she chokes out. The way she says ‘daughter’ has my blood pumping. It’s like the word sounded bitter in her mouth.

The tone of her voice has Evan looking up and frowning at Lexi in confusion.

“Hey, she’s my daughter.’’

“Oh, fuck! I forgot I have a doctor’s appointment. I best be going before I’m late,’’ she states quickly. I want to snap at her for swearing around a baby, but most of all for swearing. It’s one thing that drives me insane. Women that swear make themselves sound really trashy. I know I don’t have room to judge, it’s just a pet peeve of mine and women who look like Lexi shouldn’t use that kind of language. It makes her sound common.

I watch as Evan opens his mouth and move towards her, but Lexi is out of the door before he can take another step. I watch like a deer caught in headlights and wonder what I should do.

“Do you want me to take Imogen so you can go after her?’’ I ask quietly, feeling bad it’s mine and Imogen’s presence that has caused this.

“Why?’’ He asks so simply I begin to wonder if he’s really qualified to be a cop. He should already know why. It doesn’t take a genius to work out what was going on with her.

“Because I don’t want you two to break up,’’ I start, but Evan’s laughter interrupts me. “What?’’ I frown, not liking the fact he’s laughing at me.

“You think we’re together?’’ he asks sounding amused.

“She’s in love with you, that’s clear to see and when I opened the door she looked like her whole world had fallen apart,’’ I tell him.

“Look, I know she was lying about the doctor’s appointment. I just don’t know why. But I can assure you that we have never been together.’’

“Why do I have a feeling there’s a
but
?’’ I ask but then shake my head embarrassed. “I’m sorry, it’s none of my business.’’

His eyes soften and he takes a step closer towards me. “You’re going to be in my life for a long time, Kennedy. You deserve to know.’’

“Okay,’’ I whisper, trying to ignore the way his words are doing crazy things to my insides right now.

“I thought we had a thing a while back, but it was nothing. In fact,
she
turned
me
down.’’

“But you’re hot!” I shout, outraged, then end up groaning. I need a flipping filter. Why do I always do this to myself? It doesn’t help that he’s so good looking. It makes me more on edge than normal.

“Thanks, so are you,’’ he winks and it makes me blush. “It took me a while to realise that it would never have worked out between us. I was hoping for something that wasn’t there between us.’’

“What do you mean?’’ I ask curiously, grinning when I see Imogen lying down on Evan’s shoulder, her mouth hanging open in an O shape, sleeping.

“I want to settle down. A lot had happened last year with my sister and when I was told she had a baby, and a fiancé, I realised what I had been missing,’’ he shrugs but I can see it still matters to him. He still wants that.

“You sure it’s not some sibling rivalry?’’ I tease.

He chuckles, the sound sending shivers up my spine. “No. I love my sister and would give her the world if I could because she deserves it. But seeing it there, right in front of me, just hit me. I wanted to be settled down in a family home and not some three bed bungalow. And someday have it filled with kids.’’

“You got one of those,’’ I remind him, smiling at a snoring Imogen.

“Yeah, I do don’t I,’’ he smiles but when I look up at him, he’s smiling at me and the look in his eyes is something I’ve never seen before.

“So...um... was there something you needed to do today before you have to be in the station?’’ I ask. My stomach has been turning violently since he told me he’d have to leave us today to go in when they’ve arrested Damon. He said he wanted to be there to see for himself what happens and what Damon’s reaction will be. Luckily, his old boss is okay with him doing that as long as he doesn’t cause a scene.

“Funny you should ask that. Everything that had happened with my sister last year caused her to fall out with me as such. Her boyfriend just texted me to tell me she’s over her snit and to come over whenever to visit. Now that I know Immy is really mine I was wondering if we could go see her. I want her to be the first person to meet her.’’

I pause for a second thinking about it. I’ve never really left Imogen with anyone other than the nursery staff and on the odd occasion, Melanie. Sucking it up I give Evan a smile.

“Sure. I’ll do some washing and stuff. Clean up the mess Imogen and I have made. It’s the least I could do for you letting us stay.’’

“No, Kennedy, you don’t understand. I want you to come as well.’’

“To meet your sister?’’ I ask, my voice high pitched.

“Yes,’’ he chuckles, but I give him a glare.

“I can’t meet your sister. She might hate me or get the wrong idea. My sister was a... you know, and your sister might think I’m a... you know, too.’’

“No one would ever accuse you of being a bitch,’’ he tells me softly and my eyes meet his and soften. My whole body sags and I find myself nodding when inside I’m shaking my head ‘no’. Meeting the family? Not high on my list of things to do. People hear about where I came from, who I’m related to and they judge me. They judge me for what my sister has done and as soon as Denny finds out what my sister did to her brother she’s going to hate me. There’s no way that she won’t.

“Okay...But don’t leave me,’’ I add on quickly, really not wanting to be left alone. I don’t know anything about his family or what they’re like.

Jeeze Louise, it’s his sister, how hard can it be?

Turns out it’s harder than I imagined.