LC

boardroom. The batt

th each other-trying to be

n the co

hing down my neck. I almost missed an eight-figure deal be

r for oneason-to di

up. First sip of whiskey warming my throat... when she s

hing could've prepared me for the walking, talkin

llenged me like I was just some guy in a room and not Malcolm

clared her hatred for all men, c

rms are wrapped around my neck, her head tucked into the crook of

ven know

a crime scene unfold in slow motion. I raise an eyebrow. He jol

holds o

then she... climbed into y

y chest. There's a sadness wrapped around her even

here oft

've seen her. Said she had a roug

her face closer into my neck. My instincts scream walk away. She's mes

I ca

toni

weight she carries-beca

he m

rtender. "Tell him I'll need

ou're taking

m that questioning me isn't exactly wise f

at my collar like she's afraid I'll vanish. The way she clings-like she's drowning and I'm t

u

ad messages blink across the top of the screen-mostly from Austin, my right-hand

can

oken, and completely unfi

toni

ye

y to clean up the mess. I've spent years following that rule. It's what's kept me

out her is loud,

against me, lashes resting on fl

in sleep. Espe

beautiful. R

leave

I sh

I've done this before-like she belongs there. Her purse dangles

ng her?" the barten

e,"

letting her out of my sig

-

, clutching her purse like a lifeline. The keychain-a frayin

allway are still on. I step in quietly, trying n

la

und her face, tiny fists rubbing sleep from her eyes. Mr. B

sees Evelyn in my arms. Her

eping my voice low. "

s, barefoot and determin

She's

lyn the way only kids can-with b

sweetheart. S

" she repeats, clearly unimpressed. "Then

bl

" she adds. "Except her lip

ra.

p at me again. "She's really pretty. Prettier

my arms as we start down the

find her outside? Did she fall down? Did someone hurt

ittle sharper than I mean to. "

t w

Because sometimes, when someone'

or a moment. Then

harder th

her eyes. The way her fingers still clutch the strap of her purse like i

I murmur

ontinue her questioning b

? She's a little heavy and D

more time before skippi

-

lay Evelyn down gently on the bed. She stirs, murmuring s

ntly-pressure lines from tight heels, a fading bruise on her ankle. Sh

like chocolate vo

y. "She's kinda pretty whe

s quiet," I mutter, more

gig

ing pink bear keychain still swinging. I glance once more at her-safe, wa

hone

. Then it b

screen lights up with a mes

Do Not

ee now? This is just

ve

t's he

fire settling in my gut. Whoever this Lucas prick

r. "Alright, monk

n't move.

ea

red... like you do wh

o her. She's hugging

y?" I as

bottom lip tremble

, brushing a curl fro

neck. I stand, carrying her like I carried Evelyn-bu

ncakes?" Lyra whispe

ll s

and stories we've read a hundred times. I sit on the e

ger anymore," Lyra

raise

w her na

se. "

, already half-asleep.

say quietl

er, snoring softly with Mr.

ard the guest room. Evelyn's phone sits

in my chest h

ca

did-he made a mistake the

get in

or Ev

read