I WANTED TO KILL that fucker!
I still want to break him. I would have done more than punching him in his face had Ev not been there. I felt myself lose it when I saw his hands on her, and I snapped. I don’t remember ever feeling that kind of rage go through me.
I hold Everly closer to me and make the decision I know needs to be made. Cameron has to know that this bastard is here in town. I won’t leave her now, and if that means Cam finds out, then so be it. I can’t worry about that shit right now. Everly and the baby are what is essential. My friendship with Cam will have to wait until I know she and the baby are safe from that fucker
“Ev, I need to call Cam.”
“What, why?”
“Because, baby. You can’t stay here.”
“But this is where I live. It’s my home. I’m not letting Tate force me from my home again.”
“Everly, you cannot stay here alone. I have to work, and so does your brother. Tate doesn’t know where Cam or I live. Worst case scenario, you can go to your parents’ house, but I’m sure they’d be easier to find than Cam’s.” I look down into her red, tear-filled eyes, and my chest aches. “It’s not forever, Ev. Just long enough for us to fix your window and get some kind of reliable security system installed here. Then you can come back.”
“Okay, but what are you going to tell Cam?”
“The truth, Ev. We tell him the truth.” She nods, and I’m relieved as hell she’s agreeing. I can’t do this shit anymore. All the hiding and lies are fucking killing me.
“Can we wait and do it tomorrow?”
“Babe . . .”
“I promise, tomorrow we will both sit him down and explain everything to him. I’m just tired, and I don’t think I can handle more tonight. I just want to get some things and get out of here so that I can relax and get some sleep. It’s been a crazy night already.”
Shit. She’s right. I don’t want to add to the stress of what happened tonight by telling Cam. There is no way that come-to-Jesus moment is going to be a quiet and relaxed conversation between Ev, me, and my son’s uncle. One more day isn’t going to hurt.
“Okay, Ev. We’ll wait till tomorrow. Grab your things, and I’ll call Cam to let him know what went down tonight and that you’re leaving. I’ll be out here waiting for you.”
“Okay. It shouldn’t take me long. I can always come back and get more later.”
“Not alone,” I growl at her. “You don’t come back here until we get the window fixed and the security system set up.”
I don’t mean to come across as angry, but this dude just will not take fucking no for an answer. I know he knows the baby isn’t his, but he’s using it as an excuse to try and stay in contact with her. Trying to manipulate her.
Over my dead body. When Cam hears that Tate showed up at Everly’s house and what he said to his sister, there is no doubt in my mind that he’s going to blow his lid.
“I won’t come back alone,” she says and pushes up on her toes to kiss my cheek. “I’ll be back in a few minutes.”
“Good!” I say and slap her ass as she walks away. “I like you much better when you’re sensible.” She snorts as she heads toward the stairs. From behind you still can’t even tell that she’s pregnant. She’s nothing but the baby belly, and it’s sexy as hell.
I pull my thoughts away from my girl and dial Cameron’s cell. Tomorrow can’t come soon enough, but for now, he just needs to know that we have an issue.
The phone rings three times before he answers.
“Cam, I’m taking Everly to your place. You off tomorrow? We have a problem, and she can’t stay alone.” I listen as Cam’s concerned questions come over the line, and note his tone of confusion. “Yeah. Tate broke into her place. I told her to pack a bag, and I’d take her out of here until we can get her window fixed and maybe have that guy Louis knows that works for that alarm company install one here for her before she comes back.” As I listen to Cam and answer whatever questions he has, Everly walks back into the room holding two small bags. I take them from her and wait while she grabs her jacket and puts her shoes on.
“Yeah, we’ll leave now. I’ll take her to your place and stay with her.” She looks up at my comment, and I shake my head, letting her know it’s all good. I’m sure she figured we’d go to my place, but I knew that once Cam found out that he would want her at his.
“Of course I will. She’s fine, man. Just a little shaken up and stressed out. She said she wants to rest. I’ll grab her something on the way to your place, and we’ll see you in the morning. Yeah, okay. Later, man.” I click end and Everly just stares. “You okay?”
“Yeah. I just thought we were going to your place. I’m sorry if Tate showing up here made you re-think your wanting to chase me, but I had no—”
“You think that I would let that fuck scare me away from you? Are you serious, Everly?”
“I don’t know.” Her bottom lip trembles. “I’m sorry, Niko. I’m just tired and emotional, and I don’t know what I’m saying. Let’s just go. Forget I said anything.” She starts to lift her bag that I left by my feet, but I stop her by grabbing her hand.
“Ev, look at me.” She does, and I want to swallow her whole. She’s so vulnerable right now and reminds me so much of the younger version of the Ev I knew as a kid. “I’m not going anywhere. I’ll be here for as long as you want me and even when you don’t want me anymore, I’ll spend all my time and energy making sure that you do again, eventually.” I smile down at her and she laughs, tears filling her eyes. God, I hate seeing her cry. It fucking shreds me. “I’m not going to make it easy for anyone to push me away from you. If I wouldn’t let you do it, what makes you think I’m going to let that asshole, Tate, get rid of me? It will never happen. You and baby Callahan here,” I say, placing my hands on her belly. “You’re both my family now. I don’t walk away from my family. Ever.”
She nods and wipes a stray tear away. I can’t help but note the way she has her hand fisted in my shirt. Like that little bit of touch is enough to comfort her. If it is, I’m okay with her never stopping touching me.
“Let’s go get you settled at Cam’s and then get you something to eat. You can get a good night’s sleep; then tomorrow after Cam gets home from the station, we can tell him that he’s going to be an uncle.”
“He already knows he’s going to be an uncle,” she says, rolling her eyes.
“Yeah, but he has no clue that he’s my kid’s uncle.”