“Go with your gut, sweetheart.”
Her eyes glistened for a moment before she blinked it away. Pulling her hand from Luca’s, Evie nodded but remained silent. She had that pensive look on her face again.
“Guess that’s something I’m working on.”
Silence followed as Luca and Evie drank their coffees. His mind flicked back to the intruder, questions running rampant through Luca’s head. Who was he? What did he want? Is that who she was running from? One look at Evie, though, and he knew he wouldn’t be getting his answers tonight.
Standing, Luca took both their empty cups to the sink before turning back to Evie. “Thank you for the coffee, sweetheart. You going to be okay?”
Evie’s eyes shifted up to his and softened. “Thank you, Luca, I’ll be okay. It just shook me a bit, but I’m fine.”
“I can sleep on the couch for the night.” Luca eyed the uncomfortable looking piece of furniture knowing sleep wouldn’t be involved.
“No, no, that’s okay, Luca. Really.” Before he could push the issue, Evie stood and headed to the door. “Thank you so much for coming and checking on me. I’m sorry I woke you. I must have been loud. I hope I didn’t disturb anyone else.”
“I’m just next door if you need me.” When he reached the front door, he turned to find her standing directly behind him. She was close.
Seemingly with a mind of its own, Luca’s hand reached up and stroked down her cheek. Soft. So damn soft. Leaning down, Luca placed a light kiss on Evie’s cheek. Was it just him, or had she leaned into him ever so slightly?
“See you at work tomorrow?” At Evie’s nod, Luca turned to open the door before he did something stupid. “Lock up after me, okay?”
Waiting for her nod of confirmation, Luca turned and pulled the door shut behind him. Once he heard the click of the deadbolt, he started down the steps.
After stepping onto the grass, something made Luca stop. Turning, he noticed mud tracks down the porch. Bending down, he touched the track. Fresh. Quickly rising, Luca’s gaze scanned the area, grateful his vision allowed him to see through the late-night darkness.
There had definitely been someone in Evie’s house tonight. He looked back at the house and saw Evie’s figure turning out lights from the window.
So, the asshole had entered through the back window and left through the front. How had he locked up after himself? Had he left through the front window? He hadn’t taken her and hadn’t harmed her. He’d just wanted to scare her. Why?
Questions raced through Luca’s head. Who was she running from? Why was she running? Even more so, who was trying to find her by breaking in while she slept?
Pulling out his phone, Luca pressed dial without caring what time it was. Even though it was early morning, Wyatt picked up on the first ring.
“Yo, Rocket, what’s up?”
Luca didn’t start with any pleasantries. “I need a background check on Evie Scott stat.”
Wyatt didn’t hesitate. “Done, I’ll have it to you by morning.”
“Also, tomorrow, I want one of the team to sweep Evie’s house for fingerprints and evidence. I also want a new security system set up there.”
There was a pause of silence before Wyatt spoke. “You got it.”
His friend didn’t ask any questions, and Luca was grateful for that.
“See you tomorrow.” Without waiting for a response, Luca hung up and headed back to his place.
He wouldn’t get any more sleep tonight. Not until he knew who his new neighbor was and what or who she was running from.
CHAPTER SEVEN
SIGHING, EVIE SIPPED her morning coffee.
Watching Luca’s chest muscles ripple from across the room had fast become her favorite past time. If she couldn’t touch, she figured she may as well enjoy her view from behind the desk each day. It was quite a job perk.
Setting up the main area for the next class, Luca and Asher looked more like athletics models than business owners. Both were shirtless, both had rock hard muscles, but only one held her gaze.
What drew her to him? It wasn’t just the body of a gladiator or the deepest blue eyes she’d ever seen. There was something more. Something deeper. It pulled her in and made her want to break her no men rule.
It had been a week since she had started working at Marble Protection. A week of Marble Falls, bare chests, and Luca.
The day after she thought she’d seen Troy in her house, she’d returned home to Luca insisting on installing a new security system in the house. She had wanted to refuse based on expense, but he’d said that it would be a perk of working at Marble Protection. The knowledge that she would be that bit safer stopped her from saying anything but thank you.
Picking up a pile of mail, Evie started filtering through it.
As jobs went, this one wasn’t too bad. She hadn’t met Oliver or Kye because they’d been away, but all the guys, apart from Eden, had been friendly and easy to get along with. They always said hi to her as they passed the desk in the morning and were happy to answer any of her million questions as she settled into the job.
Marble Protection ran like a well-oiled machine. All the men shared the roles and helped each other out when needed. It reminded Evie of family.
The thought reminded Evie of her own family, but she squashed it before the sorrow could take hold. Not today.
Raising her eyes again, Luca had his back to her now and the muscles clenched in his shoulders.
“Checking out the muscle?”
Looking up at Lexie, a smile lit her face. A few of Evie’s shifts overlapped with Lexie’s, and Evie was already starting to feel comfortable with the other woman. Evie hadn’t had any girlfriends since high school. Talking to Lexie so often felt nice and took away some of the loneliness.
“I wouldn’t say that too loud, Lexie, they might hear you.”
Shrugging, Lexie leaned her hip against the counter. “So? Let them. They deserve to know that their twelve packs are appreciated.”
Taking another sip of coffee, Evie raised her brows. “Any twelve-pack, in particular, take your fancy?”
Evie was referring to Asher, of course. She’d caught Lexie’s eyes following him a few times, but so far, she hadn’t specifically mentioned him. She’d actually gone out of her way not to mention him.
Lexie narrowed her eyes to Evie. “Nope, I have an appreciation for every hot bod.”
Giving a small chuckle, she saw Lexie’s eyes track Asher again.
“He watches you too, you know,” Evie said softly.
Rolling her eyes, Lexie pushed her hip off the counter. “Like how Luca watches you? I don’t think so.” The sad tone in Lexie’s voice was one Evie hadn’t heard before. Lexie always made a point to be out there and upbeat. “Anyway, I need to pop out to grab some more paper for the printer. Give me a call if you need anything.”
Once it was just Evie again, her eyes popped up to see Asher watching Lexie’s retreating form. Something was definitely going on between those two, she would bet her last dollar on it.
Darting her gaze to find Luca, those razor blue eyes fell on her. A smile pulled across his face as Evie flushed. Giving him a smile in return, she quickly ducked her head.