Page 57 of Necessary Evil

“Is it even more dangerous because I’m with you?”

Evan frowned and followed her into the kitchen. “Yes. I’m a target.”

“Why are you a target, Evan?”

“I threaten bad men. And if they think they can get to me by going after you, they’re woefully mistaken.”

The menace in his voice made her shiver. She needed some of the good stuff. She pulled out a bottle of Blanton’s Gold Edition and poured a healthy shot of the bourbon into her glass. “You want one?”

He shook his head.

“That wasn’t part of your recruitment speech a few years ago. It was all supposed to be orgasms and candy.”

“I don’t think I promised candy.” Evan grinned. “Besides, I would have said anything to get you into my bed. And now that you’re there, I’m not letting you go. So, you want to leave the bar without me, you take two of the SOBs with you.”

“What about Travis?” She tilted her chin up in defiance.

“Don’t push your luck.”

“I suppose you want to know what happened.” Lucy sighed. “I’ll go make coffee.”

“Fuck coffee.” Pulling her into his arms, he nearly crushed her.

Lucy stiffened at first, but then hugged him back just as hard. “I was so scared,” she whispered. “I thought the car was going to explode with me in it.”

He stroked her hair. “You did the right thing. You’re smart and you’re brave.”

“Why didn’t you come for me?”

“By the time we heard about it, it was all over. We came here to secure your apartment.”

“Where’s everyone else?” Lucy wondered if Ryder and Sentinel were making fun of her wardrobe in the bedroom or if Warden was sleeping on the couch while she and Evan had this out.

“Don’t worry about it,” he said. “You don’t have to worry about a damn thing.”

“Evan, let the police handle this.” She pulled away from him and looked into his eyes. They were scarily intense.

“The Pyros crossed a line.”

“You are a cop.”

“I was a cop.”

“You are not a gang member. You’re not a one percenter out to be the biggest badass on the planet.”

He just stared down at her.

“Right?”

“I am a necessary evil in this world, Lucy.”

She shook her head. “Don’t tell me these things. You are a good man.”

“I am a man.” He pulled her back against him. “You are my woman. Nothing hurts what’s mine.”

“I’m okay,” she said. “Really. Just shaken up.”

“There’s blood on your palms and knees.”

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