“Job hunting? Well, Evie, it is your lucky day because we happen to be in search of a second receptionist.” Dragging her eyes from the door, Evie gave Asher her full attention. This place was hiring? What were the chances that the one place Evie did not want to work was the one place that had a job available?
Chewing her bottom lip, Evie tried to hide the indecision she was sure was written all over her face.
“And we’re a company that specializes in self-defense and security, not a fighting gym, whatever that is. Lexie probably mentioned we’re called Marble Protection. We’re your one-stop-shop for all things security and defense.”
Flashing another dazzling smile at her, Evie turned her head and glanced around the room. The two men who had been throwing each other were now talking to their audience. The audience, she now realized, was, in fact, a group of teenagers.
Evie wanted to say no. Her mind screamed at her that being around these clearly lethal men wasn’t a great idea. Being around violence was dangerous.
Spending a large part of her time on the run, trying to recover emotionally from what Troy had put her through, the fear he had instilled in her stayed with her every day. The very sight of violence could trigger an attack, even on a good day.
Was saying no even an option? Her chances of getting another job in this town seemed slim. No job meant no money, and no money meant no rent, no new town, and not staying hidden.
If Evie didn’t take this job, she would either need to wait around for someone to be hiring and hope she didn’t run out of money in the meantime or find another town with cheap rent that she could pay in cash. Not to mention the money she would lose from relocating here already.
Turning back to Asher, the decision was clear. Instead of seeming impatient by the time she was taking, Asher looked like he could wait all day, just as Luca had yesterday. As Evie paid more attention, she also noticed he looked just as “former military” as Luca did, as did the guys that were teaching self-defense too.
“The job’s yours if you want it, Evie.”
Evie gave a resigned sigh. Survival. That’s what she needed to keep reminding herself. She needed to survive until she could figure everything out, then hopefully, she could start living her life again. If she’d survived the hell that her life had been a year ago, she could survive working in a gym with people who had scarily similar backgrounds to the man she was running from.
“When would I start?”
Asher’s smile widened. “How about now?”
Evie tried to hide her surprise. “Ah, sure.”
“Lex, wanna take your morning break and I’ll show Evie the ropes?”
Lexie’s head popped up from behind the bench and zoomed in on Evie. “Welcome to the team, new friend.”
Walking around the desk, Evie expected Lexie to head down the hall. When she walked straight over to Evie instead and threw her arms around her shoulders, Evie stood frozen in shock for a moment. It had been a long time since anyone had hugged Evie. Too long.
Pulling back, Lexie held onto Evie’s shoulders. “Once I come back from my break, I’ll show you everything that this guy missed.”
From the corner of her eye, Evie noticed an eye roll from Asher before Lexie turned to leave.
“Women.”
Evie didn’t know if Asher intended for her to hear, but it sent a touch of a smile to her lips. Maybe it wouldn’t be all bad working here. Following Asher behind the desk, her gaze zoomed in on the high-tech computer.
“You hurt your foot?” Asher asked, not taking his eyes away from the screen. Evie looked down then back up in shock. She thought she’d been hiding the limp well.
“I just dropped something on it this morning,” Evie said, looking over Asher’s shoulders at the expensive-looking piece of technology. A bit of excitement entered Evie at the prospect of getting to work on it. Maybe there’d be more perks than just Lexie. “It won’t affect my work.”
“Didn’t think it would, just wanted to make sure you were okay, darlin’,” Asher turned to give Evie a wink before turning his attention back to the computer.
A blush worked its way up Evie’s neck to her cheeks. Asher was good looking. He didn’t have whatever Luca had that drew her in, but it was impossible to ignore him.
Focus on the job, Evie.
Turning back to the computer, the tightening in Evie’s chest finally began to release. After the eighth job rejection, the panic had been real. Finally, something was going her way. Glancing again at Asher, Evie just hoped she wouldn’t regret the decision to work here in the long run.
CHAPTER FOUR
“DIDN’T THINK IT would, just wanted to make sure you were okay, darlin’.”
Luca heard Asher before he saw him. Stepping into Marble Protection, she was the next person he saw. Evie.
What the fuck?
Stiffening at the sight of his friend and Evie in such an intimate position, Luca’s hands clenched. Forcing calm into his body, Luca walked slowly but purposefully toward the gym desk.
“Morning, Striker,” Luca gave Asher a nod as he approached. Narrowing his eyes slightly, he leaned against the desk. Then turning his attention to Evie, his eyes softened. Fucking gorgeous. How had no man claimed her yet? “Morning, sweetheart, didn’t expect to see you here this morning.”
Evie’s bright green eyes swung to meet Luca’s and his body immediately hardened. He may not have expected to see her, but it definitely improved his morning.
“Well, you can start expecting to see her most days.” Asher’s voice pulled Luca’s attention back to him. “Evie has accepted the job working front and center. Take some of the pressure off Lex.”
Leaning his hip against the counter, Asher gave Luca a smirk. The asshole was still standing too damn close to Evie. Pushing that thought aside for the moment, Luca focused on what his friend had said. Evie would be working here. At Marble Protection.
Drawing his brows together, Luca stared questioningly at Evie. He was surprised. After his interactions with her, he wouldn’t have pegged her for wanting to work here.
Money. It must be the money. She was clearly running from something, and that required cash.
“You’re going to be our new receptionist?” Luca went for casual. With the stiffening of her shoulders, he may have missed the mark.
“If that’s not okay…” Before she could finish what she was saying, Luca cut in.
“Evie,” trying for an encouraging smile, Luca continued, “You will be a fantastic addition to Marble Protection. Welcome.”
Luca held Evie’s gaze for a moment longer, not wanting to look away.
“I’m just walking Evie through the system,” Asher remarked as he turned back to the computer.
“I got it.” Not waiting for Asher to continue, Luca pushed off the desk and headed around the counter.
“You’re welcome,” Asher muttered. The asshole had a smile on his face as he spoke the words that he knew would only reach Luca’s ears. Darting his gaze to Evie, he spoke in a louder voice. “I look forward to seeing more of you, Evie.”
Then, disappearing around the corner, it was just Luca and Evie.
Turning his full attention to Evie, Luca forced his body to relax. He needed to get a grip before he sent her screaming from the building.