Page 33 of Ride or Dies

“Go on,” I said, my voice tense.

“At first, there’s just the usual shit, but about two years ago, she went from writing about who Evie was spotted having dinner with to ‘who is Evelyn Hayes fucking.’ And most of the time, it’s worded in a way that doesn’t show Evie in the best light.”

“So Becca’s jealous?”

“That’s what it sounds like to me,” he said. “But then, around the same time news broke about Evie catching Randall cheating, Becca starts dropping hints about Evie’s past.”

“Trudy.”

“Yeah. Shit about how Trudy was a teenage mom who doesn’t know who Evie’s dad is, rumors about Evie’s life growing up. The sort of stuff that, if it was written by a legit reporter, would make people sympathetic toward Evie. Instead, it’s all twisted to fuck with Evie’s reputation, to make it seem like she deserved Randall cheating.”

“It’s something,” I admitted. “But do you really think some reporter crossed the line from writing shit like that to writing threats?”

Tucker shrugged. “She’d have the resources to find out where Evie lived. And since she never threatened Evie in her articles, she probably wouldn’t come up on anyone’s radar.”

“Especially since most people would assume it was a guy.”

“If it is her, she’s covering her tracks pretty well,” Tucker added. “I didn’t find anything on social media where she’s talking about any sort of violence toward Evie, or even scaring her.”

“That might explain the threatening letters,” I said, “but not someone breaking into the house. Unless that had nothing to do with Evie and everything to do with Trudy. Who knows the sort of people Trudy’s involved with.”

“You think Randall’s the more likely suspect?” Tucker said. “I’m digging into him too, but the letters happened before the breakup, so that doesn’t really fit time-wise.”

“Keep looking into both,” I said. “And if there’s anything—”

“Holy shit,” Tucker cut me off.

“What is it?”

“Becca James isn’t in Nashville,” he said. “According to social media, she checked into the next town over the day after Evie got here.”

I thought for a moment before asking, “Do you think you’d be able to get more from her if you talked to her in person?”

“Definitely.” He grinned at me. “We all know I can charm the pants off pretty much anyone.”

“You should probably keep everyone’s pants on,” I said dryly. “But yeah, why don’t you head over and see if you can find her. Use your gut when it comes to how much to tell her.”

“You think we should tell Evie?”

“I think she and Mason are busy right now,” I said with a laugh.

“You know what I mean.”

“I do,” I agreed. “But no, I think she’s got enough on her mind with her mom and everything. If something comes of it, we’ll let her know, but there’s no point in bringing up Becca if it ends up being nothing.”

“All right,” Tucker said, getting to his feet. “I’ll get what I need and head out. Probably be back sometime tomorrow.”

As he left, I found myself wondering if I should hope the reporter was behind all of this. While I wanted Evie to be safe, a part of me couldn’t help thinking that, if she didn’t need us to protect her, she might have second thoughts about being with us. Maybe that made me a selfish bastard, but there it was.

I wasn’t ready to risk losing her yet.

Chapter Eighteen

Evie

Iwasn’t sure which was weirder—waking up alone after Levi and I had sex in the kitchen, or waking up in bed next to Mason the morning after he and I had sex in his room. What I did know was that I still felt out of place at the clubhouse as I left Mason’s room and headed for the kitchen. Things were pretty quiet, which I supposed made sense considering how late most of the people here were up. I was glad for it. It made me less self-conscious as I hugged Mason’s long-sleeved shirt closer to me.

“I didn’t think it was that cold in here.” Levi closed his office door behind him. “Or did you just want to wear Mason’s shirt?”

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