Page 120 of Smitten with the Single Dad

Evie was already nodding. “If you don’t mind. I mean, maybe it will be better if I’m not on the same property as Vica anyway. If someone finds out we’re both here …”

“That’s a good point,” Dom chimed in.

“And you’re taking a few days off work anyway,” Wyatt said to his head chef.

“No I’m not,” Burke argued.

“Um, yes you are. I feel fine enough to return and we need to start letting our staff have more responsibilities. They’re ready.”

Burke squirmed at the idea of relinquishing his kitchen to someone—even Wyatt. But Wyatt held firm with a scowl that not even Bomb Tech Burke could argue with.

“One day,” Burke said.

“Four,” Wyatt countered.

“Two,” Burke argued.

Wyatt held out his hand. “Deal.”

They shook on it.

“You’ll be very safe, Ms. Sanchez. Burke is the salt of the earth and a tough SOB to boot. Former military, just like the rest of us.”

“And I can cook,” he said with a wink directed only to Evie.

She blushed and smiled.

“Gabrielle needs to know Evie is on the island. She’ll want to talk to her to help with the case. But otherwise, we need to keep her being here under wraps. It’s probably best if she even hides in the backseat with her head down,” Wyatt added. “We don’t know who has eyes on the property, and road, and where.”

Burke nodded. “On it.”

Wyatt tipped his head to the side to indicate he needed a sidebar with Burke.

Burke, being Wyatt’s right-hand for years now, knew what he meant, excused himself, and followed Wyatt out to Dom’s patio. “This goes without saying, but Evie Sanchez is basically Exhibit A. Track raped her and got her pregnant. She had an abortion because who the hell wants to carry their rapist’s baby?”

Anger began to simmer in Burke’s gaze.

“The evidence of her assault and rape kit were tampered with. But apparently, she did have them do a DNA test on the fetal tissue following the abortion. We’re still waiting on those medical records.”

Burke shook his head and ran his hand down his tanned face. “Jesus Christ.”

“I just need you to know what the woman you’re taking on to protect has been through. She is incredibly brave, coming forward to help with Vica’s case. But she’s also got a lot of trauma. She did accept hush money from Wyndham Croft, but it was because her rape kit evidence no longer existed, and her lawyer advised her to take the money because a conviction was basically impossible.”

A muscle at the corner of Burke’s jaw twitched, he was clenching his molars so hard. “You know I won’t let anything bad happen to her.”

“I know that.” Wyatt rested a hand on Burke’s shoulder. “I trust you like I trust my brothers. Youarelike a brother to me. But I also don’t want you going into this without some kind of an understanding about Evie and what she’s been through.”

“Evie will get nothing but absolute respect from me.”

“I know that.”

“I’ll let you know when Gabrielle and Evie connect,” Burke said as Wyatt held the sliding glass door open for him and they re-entered the house where Dom, Evie, and Vica sat in the living room watching the boys work on the puzzle.

“It’s been a long,weirdday for everyone,” Burke said, offering Evie his hand to help her up from the couch. She smiled at his chivalry. Wyatt and Vica exchanged knowing looks. “I’d love to cook you a nice meal, if that’s all right with you? The place I rent is a small, two-bedroom bungalow. It’s nothing special, but it’s got one of the best views on the island.”

Evie’s eyes glowed. “A homecooked meal by someone else and a great view sounds perfect.”

“You drink wine?” he asked.

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