Page 32 of Necessary Evil

“I was looking for Evan,” she said.

Cal took a step back, as though she was on fire. “I didn’t know you were Evil’s.”

“I’m not,” Lucy said, resisting the urge to stamp her foot.

She didn’t miss Finn’s shake of his head at Cal or Cal’s eyes narrowing on her.

“He’s in a meeting right now. But he should be out soon. I wouldn’t interrupt him.” Finn shrugged apologetically.

“What type of meeting?” Lucy asked, Travis’s words still fresh in her mind.

“I think they’re organizing a charity ride for the children’s burn center.”

A small pang of guilt hit her. “That’s a nice cause. Let me know if I can help.”

“Why don’t we sit down and talk? I’m sure I’ll be part of the committee.” Cal guided her over to one of the darkened corners with a hand on her back. He glared down Finn, who looked like he was going to stop him.

“Your funeral,” Finn muttered.

Lucy wasn’t sure which one of them he was talking to. They sat down, and Cal didn’t remove his hand. She let him keep it there because, damn it, she was going to pump him for information just to prove that Travis was full of shit. She took a swig of her beer and wished it was something stronger.

“So, Cal, what kind of bike do you ride?”

Not that she could tell a Suzuki from a Harley if push came to shove, but Lucy figured it would break the ice and get him talking. It worked too well, because he didn’t shut up about the custom-built chopper he and a buddy of his were working on. Great. More boredom. She finished her beer and was gratified that she had a slight buzz going on, but her eyes were feeling gritty, and that was usually a clue that she was going to start yawning and keep it up until her head hit the pillow. Damn it. She wanted an adventure.

She wanted to get laid.

The thought made her shiver all over.

“Cold?” Cal slipped off his jacket and wrapped it around her shoulders.

He got gentleman points for that, but his cologne was a little too sharp for her liking. She preferred Evan’s hint of lime and musk.

Cal continued on, detailing how he worked in a custom motorcycle shop and one day wanted to open his own chopper store. Lucy was waiting for a break in the conversation when the door at the far end of the VIP area opened up and Evan, Sentinel, Warden, and Ryder strode out.

Three women hurried over to Evan, and without thinking Lucy half rose from her seat. Cal’s hand on her knee stopped her. She whirled on him, about to bash his head in, but he smiled and said, “Let him come to you. If you go over to him, you’re just another one of the crowd.”

Sure enough, Evan was soon surrounded by the pretty girls—one of whom matched the “watermelon tits” description from a few years ago. Maybe these were his girlfriends. Maybe that was why he hadn’t bothered calling her all week. He’d been too busy screwing their brains out.

“This was a mistake,” she said, shooting to her feet.

“I’ll walk you out.” Cal got up too and then leaned in to whisper in her ear. “Don’t look now, but you have the big man’s attention.”

Her head swiveled even as Cal slung an arm around her waist and walked her toward the door.

Evan’s eyes were wide with shock, then squinted in anger when he noticed the placement of Cal’s arm. And that was the last she saw because Cal shut the door behind them.

“Thanks, Cal,” she said as they walked down the stairs. “But I can make it to my car from here.”

“You’re not all right to drive. Let me take you home on my bike.”

“No, I’ll be okay. I’ll sit in my car until the buzz passes. Thanks for the use of your jacket.” Handing it back to him, Lucy wished it had been Evan’s. She wouldn’t have given it back.

The door above them crashed open, and Evan stormed down. “Fuck off, Cal, before I put you through a wall.”

Cal looked at Lucy to make sure it was all right.

“Don’t you look at her,” Evan said.

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