Chapter Two
Evie sat at her desk in the reception area of the Lone Wolf Security office, adding the finishing touches to the report from their last operation. She glanced down the hallway for the hundredth time. Today was an important day, and things were tense ever since she arrived that morning. She didn’t need enhanced senses to feel the edgy atmosphere in the office.
There was a sob and then a cry, and Evie gripped the end of her table, her body going rigid. She hoped that wasn’t a bad sign. This was the first time there were reuniting one of the Lone Wolves with their families. A lot of stuff had happened last year, apparently, and it turned out, some bad people had taken Lycans from their families to turn them into mindless soldiers. One of the reasons Lone Wolf Security was created was to bring those Lycans back to their families. They had been working for months, and this was the first real lead they had.
She heard the door to one of the offices open and pretended to go back to her report, not wanting to be caught eavesdropping. Of course, she couldn't help overhearing them as they walked out into the reception area. She stared at the screen of her computer but watched them out of the corner of her eyes.
"I can't thank you enough." It was the white-haired woman who had come in earlier. She was accompanied by an older man. "Thank God you've found our grandson. I was afraid Adam had been lost. They took him from us when he was just twelve."
"Thank you for coming in and confirming his identity, Mrs. Jenkins," Killian said. Quinn and Connor were right behind them.
“When can we see him?” the older man asked. Probably her husband, Evie thought. They were both Lycans. After all, only two Lycans could have shifter offspring.
"I'll arrange it as soon as I can," Killian assured him. "I hope you'll be patient. You're the first family we've been able to identify, and you need to be prepared. He might not be who you remember."
“We’re just happy to know he’s alive,” Mr. Jenkins said.
“We have your contact number,” Killian said. “If you don’t mind staying in New York for a bit longer, we can arrange your meeting with Adam at our facility. He’s safe, I assure you.”
"Thank you." Mrs. Jenkins reached out and grabbed Killian's hands. "Thank you so much." Killian walked them to the door of the office and then waved goodbye as the couple left.
“Well, looks like we’ve closed our first case,” Killian said to Connor and Quinn. “Good job, team.”
“Team?” Quinn moaned. “Hey, I did most of the work with the government databases and illegal surveillance! What did he do,” he asked, jerking his thumb at Connor.
"Oh yeah? I've only been picking up the slack with Creed's assignments while you two were playing footsies with your mates," Connor pointed out.
"Yeah, thanks for that," Killian said. "I know it's been a hard couple of months. I appreciate it, both of you. And Luna does too, especially since the baby's almost here."
“And soon I’ll be having my own pooping, screaming bundle of joy,” Quinn said, and Killian slapped him on the shoulder.
"Looks like I'll be doing more of the shit around here," Connor grumbled. "I'll be in my office."
Evie let out a breath, finally able to breathe. Connor was too goddamn sexy and handsome for his own good, and that was distracting enough, but it wasn't just that. There was something about him … she couldn't put her finger on why she always wanted to look at him and be near him. He wasn't even nice to her and had a permanent scowl on his face. That would have sent any sane, normal woman the other direction but not her. Oh no, there must be something broken with her because she always fell for the wrong guy, and Connor was the wrongest wrong guy in existence. For one thing, he was a Lycan, and that should have been reason enough to stay away from him.
It was just lust, she told herself. That's it. It had been almost a year since she slept with anyone. Fucking Richard. Her asshole ex-boyfriend. She got back together with him again, even after that incident with the video, but, after a few weeks of doing the long distance thing, she just kind of … lost interest. She broke up with him and since then, hadn't even felt the need to contact him. Sure, Richard called and texted, but she ignored him and eventually, he got the message.
And now that she was free of Dick (figuratively and literally) … well, she just didn’t have enough time to pursue any relationship. With Selena moving out to marry Quinn, she was going to lose her roommate, and she couldn’t afford the apartment on her own. Maybe I should just cut my losses and move back to Kansas. Her dad had been making overtures, telling her he wanted her to run the furniture business eventually. Her brother Arthur was too young to take over, and he wanted to retire and make the most of his twilight years. It wouldn’t be so bad, she thought. She knew how to run the business, and she could spend more time with her dad, stepmom, and Arthur. There was a pang in her heart. Arthur had had a growth spurt the last time she visited, and he was taller than her now. And her dad … well, he looked older and more tired, too. Maybe …
“What’s wrong?”
Evie nearly jumped off her seat at the sound of the low masculine voice. “N-n-nothing,” she stammered, wiping the moisture that had formed at the corner of her eyes. She spun around, trying to avoid Connor’s gaze, which was now boring into the back of her head.
“Don’t lie to me. I can smell your tears. Who the fuck made you cry?”
Damn Lycan senses. She let out a sigh. “I said it’s nothing,” she insisted. “Just …”
Connor stepped to the side of her desk and leaned his hip against the corner. Annoyed, she looked up, meaning to scowl at him, but, of course, that went to shit when she stared into the bright green depths of his eyes. She swallowed visibly as she felt the heat rush to her cheeks under his scrutiny. Oh God, she had to stop looking at his gorgeous face. The damn scowl just made him sexier. Okay, Evie, she told herself. Don’t look. Look lower. Her eyes traced down to his full lips. Dammit. That didn’t help. Okay, keep going. Now she was staring at his muscled chest. Oh dear, she’d never been so close to anyone this big. How the hell did he get so damn tall and wide? His chest tapered down to a small waist, and she could see the outline of a defined six-pack under the tight black shirt and stifled a groan.
“Evie?”
Her name on his lips startled her, and she decided it was better to just go back to looking at his face before she went even lower and embarrassed herself. "Yes?" she managed to croak.
“Why were you crying?”
“I told you … it’s nothing.” The scowl on his face deepened. “I mean, I’m just being silly.” She sighed.
“Well, what is it?”
Her shoulders sagged in defeat. "I'm just … being on stage and in the theater is my life, you know?" It was like a dam opened up, and she couldn't stop talking. "I want it so bad I can taste it. I left Kansas City and my family and my long-term boyfriend so I could live my dream. Instead, it's been a nightmare. Nothing but auditions and rejections. Then I broke up with Richard. I ate nothing but salad for six months and I've lost fifteen pounds, but I can't even get a bit part." She gave an unhappy sigh. "Sorry, you probably don't want to hear about this. But, if nothing pans out, I'm afraid I'm going to have to move back to Kansas City. Selena will be moving out of the apartment, and I can't afford it on my own and—" She gasped as something large and warm settled over her head. Was Connor … patting her? Like a puppy? She wrinkled her nose and looked up.
Connor was reaching over her desk, his hand rubbing the top of her head. He was making her ponytail crooked, but, somehow, she didn't mind. It was awkward but soothing and so very … Connor.
“Uh, Connor?”
“It’ll be okay,” he said. “I’m sure you’ll … find something. You shouldn’t give up. If that’s your dream.”
“Wow, that is literally the nicest thing you’ve ever said to me.” She let out a squeak, realizing what she said.
Connor pulled his hand away and then shoved them into his pockets. “Well, if it’s nice you want, then I’m not what you’re looking for.” He turned and walked back to his office.
“How do you know?” she asked after him.
He stopped. “Know what?”
She scrunched up every bit of courage she had. “What I’m looking for?”
He shrugged. "You're right. I don't." Before she could say anything else, he walked away, leaving her dumbfounded.
***
“Oh my God,” Selena exclaimed as she slammed the door behind her. “I swear, if I didn’t love Quinn, I wouldn’t put up with this bullshit!” She took her jacket off and hung it in the coatrack in the foyer.
Evie walked out of the kitchen, wine bottle and two glasses in hand. “Selena? What are you doing here?”
Selena frowned. "Quinn's father acknowledged him this morning in a press conference, and those damn paparazzi somehow found out about our engagement and started hounding me at work!"
“Congressman Martin did what?” Evie said. “How the hell could the press work that fast? He only proposed days ago.”
"You tell me! Anyway, they descended on the library like vultures. It's public property, which means I couldn't do anything to stop them from coming up to my desk and snapping pictures of me. I had to leave work early, but they had already staked out Quinn's loft. I've been hiding at different coffee shops the whole day, and this was the only place I could think of where they wouldn't find me." Selena eyed the wine bottle and the two glasses in her hand. "Oh shit, do you have company? Fuck, I'm sorry."
Evie laughed. “No worries, it’s only Jack. C’mon, you can join us.”
Selena followed Evie from the foyer into the living room, where the dark-haired warlock was sitting on their couch, leafing through a magazine.
“Selena!” he screeched, jumping to his feet and drawing the redhead in for a hug. “Darling, I haven’t seen you in ages! Evie told me all about your engagement to that big, hulking Lycan of yours." Jack was a performer at Merlin's, and he and Evie had become fast friends when she directed a segment for their show.
“I’m sure you’ve seen the news,” Selena said.
“His dad's that guy who's running for Governor, right? Awww, poor baby.” Jack put an arm around her and sat her down on the couch.
“It’s awful. Eww, no.” She waved off the glass of wine Evie was offering her. “Sorry, I can’t. Even the smell is making me barf.” She rubbed her stomach.
“Sorry, I forgot,” Evie said. Selena was pregnant with Quinn’s baby and not just any child but her True Mate child. So, as it turned out, her best friend and boss were apparently meant to be together and now she was carrying a magical Lycan baby. Evie shrugged. She didn’t really know the details, but she was happy for her friend. Even if it meant she would have to leave the apartment and possibly New York.
“Evie?” Selena asked, her face drawn into a frown. “What’s wrong?”
“Huh? Nothing,” she said, trying to hide the sadness in her voice.
“Aww, Evie-girl.” Selena put an arm around her shoulder. “C’mon, don’t be like that. I’m your best friend, tell me what’s wrong.”
She sighed. "I'm really happy for you, Selena," she began. "But, well, I know you're going to be moving in with Quinn soon, and I can't afford this place on my own."
“Evie, I'm so sorry!" Selena said. "I didn't even think … don't worry about it, okay? I'm paid up for the month. I can pay for my half until you figure things out."
“I can’t let you do that, Selena; it’s not right.”
"Hold on!" Jack exclaimed. "Do you need a roommate? Because, frankly, I'm sick of rooming with my ex! I swear, if it weren't so goddamn hard to find an affordable place and a normal roommate, I'd have moved out ages ago."
“Jack, you broke up with Mark two weeks ago,” Evie pointed out.
“Yeah, darling, that’s a million years in gay time,” Jack said. “No, seriously. I’d love to move in here. It’s a little far from the action, but it’s so spacious. I’ll even take whatever furniture you have. I mean, I don’t have any anyway.”
“This is perfect!” Selena clapped her hands. “Evie, you don’t have to move out! Jack can sublet under me.”
“You’re okay with the sleeping arrangements?” Evie asked. Although the apartment was roomy by Manhattan standards, there was only one bedroom with a two-twin-bed set up.
“Oh, Evie, I don't plan to be sleeping here a lot," Jack said with a glint in his eye.
“That settles it,” Selena said. “And now you don’t have to leave.” Evie sighed again, and the redhead frowned. "Now what's wrong?"
“It’s not just the money and the apartment …” Evie threw up her hands in frustration. "I've been doing this acting thing for months, and I'm ready to give up. Maybe it's just not meant to be." She sank back down on the couch between Jack and Selena.
“Evie, you are the most talented singer and actress I know,” Selena said. “You can’t give up now! You’re gonna get that big break; I can feel it.”
“No one ever makes it big their first year,” Jack said. “Trust me. You just need to keep working. A little bit of luck and the right timing, and you’ll get that callback.”
She sighed. “Everyone keeps saying that. Even Connor told me I shouldn’t give up.”
“Excuse me?” Selena’s voice pitched higher than usual. “Connor told you what?”
“Who?” Jack asked.
“Quinn’s brother,” Selena reminded him.
“Oh, you mean Broody McBroodypants,” Jack said in a droll voice.
Evie laughed. “Yeah, him.”
“The guy who wanted to murder me when we met at Merlin’s,” Jack pointed out.
“He did not.”
"He did so. You were not at the end of that death glare." Jack took a sip of wine. "Still though, he's kind of sexy, in that I-wanna-murder-you kind of way." Jack made a claw with his hand and a 'rawwr' sound that made Evie nearly snort wine out of her nose.
“Wait, so Connor actually spoke to you?” Selena asked.
“You mean instead of scowling at me? Yeah.” She suppressed a smile, but it was too late. Selena had seen it.
“Oh my God! I knew it! You are so into Connor.”
“I am not!”
“Stop denying you like him! He likes you, too.”
“He doesn’t,” Evie protested. “I don’t like him. He’s a Lycan.”
“Your mom’s one, too,” Selena pointed out.
“And thus you’ve cemented my point.” Evie crossed her arms over her chest. She did not want to talk about this now. “It would never work.”
“Wait, are you saying because he’s a Lycan and you’re a human, it would never work.”
“Exactly,” she said firmly, but when Selena’s face fell, she knew she made a mistake. “Wait, Sel, that’s not what I mean.”
“What did you mean then?”
“It … it’s complicated.” Evie didn't exactly hate her mother, but she couldn't help but feel resentment toward her for abandoning them. Her father said it just didn't work out between them, and she knew it was because she couldn't stand being married to a human. "You and Quinn are totally different than my mom and dad."
“In that case—”
A ringing interrupted Selena. Evie recognized her ring tone, and fished her phone out of her purse before checking the name flashing on the screen. Jane Collins. “Sorry, I have to take this.” She bounded up and walked toward the bedroom for some privacy. “Hello?”
“Evie? Hey, it’s Jane. Jane Collins.” Jane was the lyricist in a workshop Evie had participated in some months back. It was for a musical called Love and Regrets, and Evie had the starring role. It never went to anything more than a couple of read-throughs and rehearsals and blockings for the songs but had been one of the highlights of her miserable year.
“Jane, how are you?” Evie asked as she sat down on her bed.
“Great, great! I mean, all’s good. I have some news for you.”
“Really? What?”
“Love and Regrets is being picked up by a major backer and production company. Atlantis Artists. They want to put the show on Broadway."
Evie shot to her feet. “Really?”
“Yes, it’s happening. And we want you to come back to the show.”
Her heart thundered in her chest, going a mile a minute. It was really happening. Finally …
“But …”
Oh, poop. There was always a but. “Yes?”
“You should probably sit down for this …”