Swinging his attention back to Evie, Eden again assessed her. “How’d you hear about the job?”
For a moment, there was silence. The only sound in the room was Evie’s thundering heart. Eventually, she spoke.
“I didn’t. I’m new in town and have been going to businesses today, inquiring about job vacancies.” Evie gave a small shrug. “Just lucky I popped in here.”
“I find luck doesn’t usually have much to do with how things work out,” Eden muttered. “So, you came in from the street, and we just gave you the job?” Eden’s voice was directed at Evie, but his words were aimed at Luca.
Stepping into Eden’s space, Luca’s tone chilled. “Calm down, Hunter. I’ve met her before. She’s fine.”
The two men stood face to face, daring the other to move. In the background, Luca heard Evie’s breathing become jagged. Eden was scaring her. Luca probably was too. Turning immediately, Luca placed a smile on his face, strategically blocking Eden from her view.
“Let’s go, sweetheart, I’ve got more things to show you before you officially start at the desk.”
Leading Evie from the room, Luca felt Eden’s energy radiating around the room like a bomb about to go off. Making a mental note to keep an eye on Eden while Evie was around, Luca wasted no time shutting the door behind him.
CHAPTER FIVE
ONCE EVIE WAS on her own behind the desk, she fiddled with the computer system, already feeling confident in using it.
“Look at you, all ready to go. Maybe I can finally take a vacation.” Jumping slightly at the sound of Lexie’s voice, she turned to face the other woman, keeping a slight distance. Lexie frowned at Evie’s reaction. “You okay?”
Forcing a smile, Evie nodded. “I didn’t see you there, sorry.”
Giving a small laugh, Lexie turned to the paperwork in front of her. “If you think I move quietly, just wait. The guys may look like bodybuilders, but they move like ninjas. You’ll never hear them coming.”
“Thanks for the heads up.” Evie hoped Lexie was exaggerating. She didn’t want to jump out of her skin every time someone approached her.
“Where are you from, Evie?”
Shrugging, Evie tried to stick to the truth. “I move around a lot, but I grew up in Chicago.”
“Ah, the land of the hot dogs.” As Lexie reached for the stapler, her arm grazed Evie’s body. Evie couldn’t stop the flinch at the sudden movement. “Woah, are you sure you’re okay?”
Lexie’s worried eyes seemed to bore into Evie. Darting her eyes around the room, she tried to think of a believable excuse. “Yeah, I’m just a bit jumpy. New job, new town.”
Gosh, she was a terrible liar.
As a body came out of the hallway, Evie looked up to see that it was Eden. Shrinking back slightly, she quickly averted her eyes. When she glanced up again, it was to see Lexie studying her with sympathy in her eyes. “I’m assuming you’ve met Eden?”
Evie nodded.
“I’ve worked here since they opened the place. The guys are great, but I still don’t know Eden very well.” Leaning closer and lowering her voice, Evie made an effort not to move away. “From what I’ve picked up, he was burned pretty bad by his last girlfriend. He has mad mistrust of people now, particularly women. I don’t know the details, but the guy is fine as long as you keep your distance.”
“I don’t think he likes me.” Evie’s voice was small, quiet, even though she knew it would be impossible for him to hear her.
“Join the club.” Moving back to the papers, Lexie continued organizing. “Don’t let it get to you. Every other guy here is great.”
Wrapping her jacket tighter around her shoulders, Evie started to make her way home. It had been a long day. First days always were. But the relief at finding short term work was almost overwhelming. Plus, the job didn’t actually look that bad.
She’d been worried at the beginning, but the classes in the big room seemed pretty contained. The guys ran a tight ship at Marble Protection. Lexie had been lovely. She was everything Evie wasn’t. Confident, bubbly. Whenever the guys had come over, she’d given them attitude but in a way that didn’t take away her charm.
Over the day, Evie had met a couple of the others who ran the place with Luca. Mason had stood out with his piercing blue eyes but quieter personality, while Bodie had been friendly and chatty.
Wyatt had been a bit more standoffish. Evie had remembered Luca saying he was their IT guy, and she’d had to restrain herself from asking him all computer questions. Not that she thought he would answer, Evie had felt distrust emanate from most of the guys, even the friendliest.
Her mind then flicked to Eden. A shiver ran up Evie’s spine. There was anger inside of him. Evie recognized it because Troy had carried that same emotion around with him. It had eaten away at Troy day by day. Was the same happening to Eden? Evie didn’t know him well enough to tell.
In addition to learning the job, she had made it her mission to avoid him. On the few occasions he had come into the main area and been within her sights, Evie had been quick to avert her eyes and appear busy. Even if that busy was fake. The feeling of having his eyes on her though was a constant.
Increasing her pace, a chill worked its way through Evie’s limbs. The sun was almost finished setting, and that meant it would be dark soon. Evie hated the dark. She was automatically at a disadvantage with Troy in the dark. Another disadvantage she should say. He could still see, she was blind. It was an extra layer of protection for him, like he needed that.
Luca had offered Evie a ride, but she’d declined, hoping the fresh air would clear her mind. As the echoes of her steps filled the air, she started to regret her decision. At this very moment, she could be sitting next to him in his warm car, breathing in his musky scent.
Evie could almost hear his deep voice in the back of her mind. Feel the vibration of his words. A smile touched Evie’s lips at the thought.
No. What was she doing?
Shaking her head, Evie pushed down the feelings. Feelings were dangerous. They were the reason she was where she was in her life at the moment. Luca was dangerous to her. She had to keep her distance, no matter how much her body wanted her to do otherwise.
As the hairs on the back of Evie’s neck stood up, she suddenly had the feeling of being followed. Subtly, as to not draw any attention, Evie turned her head to look down the road behind her. Nothing.
Taking a calming breath, she forced herself to maintain her pace, even though her legs wanted to race. She could see her house up ahead. Then she would be inside with the semblence of safety. Not far to go.
A rustling noise behind Evie sounded. This time she did stop. Turning, she stared out to the empty street. Again, there was nothing. About to turn back, the sight of fresh shoe tracks in the mud next to the path caught her attention.
Turning back to her house, this time, she did increase her pace.
Stop being stupid, Evie, there are dozens of people who use this path.
So why did it stick out to her?
Lifting her eyes toward her house, she caught sight of Luca standing by his open front door. His eyes followed her. Watching. His usual goofy smile was gone, and he had a focused look on his face. That lasted a moment before his whole demeanor seemed to flick back to relaxed.