Page 118 of Theirs to Take

“You’re right, I’m sorry,” Evan said. He noticed his brother looking between the two of them, smiling like a lunatic. “What the hell is wrong with you?” he asked.

“I’m just enjoying watching your new assistant put you in your place,” Eli taunted.

“Shut the hell up,” Evan said again as if his brother was actually going to listen to him.

“You want to fill me in about who’s in jail or was in jail? What’s going on?” Eli asked.

“I will on the way to Carrie’s place. Can you help me grab her car and bring it back here?” Evan asked.

“Sure,” Eli agreed, “it was nice to meet you, Carrie.” His brother was laying the charm on a bit thick, and Carrie seemed to eat it up with a spoon.

Evan grabbed his car keys and wallet from the kitchen counter and turned back to Carrie. “Remember, lock yourself in, and don’t open the door for anyone. I have my key and can get back in when I come home. Got it?” he asked.

“I’m not a moron,” she mumbled, “I know what to do, Evan.”

“I really like her,” Eli said as Evan shoved him out the door and into the garage. He did too, but he wasn’t about to tell either of them that. The more time he spent with Carrie, the more he liked how sassy and spunky she was.

They were just about halfway to Carrie’s place when his brother finally dropped the small talk that they had going on and asked about Evan’s new assistant. “So, are you two together?” Eli asked.

“What—no,” Evan protested. “She’s my new assistant. I just met her a day ago.”

“And yet, she’s living in your house,” Eli taunted. He knew that his brother was trying to give him some shit, but he planned on keeping his cool. Eli was always trying to yank his chains.Usually, he tried to hold his tongue, but sometimes, he really lost his temper.

“She was in trouble, and I offered to help her out,” Evan insisted.

“Where did she sleep last night?” Eli asked.

“That’s none of your business, but to shut you up, I’ll tell you. Carrie slept in the guest room. She’s my employee and I won’t take advantage of that relationship,” Evan said.

“So, it would be okay with you if I asked her out then?” Eli asked.

“I’d rather you not ask my new assistant out, Eli. If—no, when things go south, I don’t want to have awkward tension hanging around my office. Aren’t there enough other women in the world that you can choose to ruin one of their lives?” Evan taunted.

Eli shrugged, “Sure, but not many with that sexy-as-hell Scottish accent Carrie has going on. Even you have to admit that she’s hot, Evan. Look past the fact that she works for you and all that stuff—she’s hot.” Evan agreed with his brother, but there was no way that he’d give Eli the satisfaction of admitting it out loud. “Well, if you’re not going to do something about your hot assistant, I will.”

“What the hell does that mean?” Evan asked.

“It means that I plan on asking her out. She doesn’t work for me. Plus, she’s new here and probably up for a little fun while she settles in,” Eli explained.

“She’s pregnant,” Evan said. He wasn’t sure if she wanted to keep her pregnancy a secret or not but telling Eli that bit of news was like tossing water on fire. He could tell that his brother’s interest had quickly waned. “Still want to ask her out?” he asked.

“She’s pregnant?” Eli asked.

“Yep,” Evan drawled, kind of proud of himself for finding a way to douse his brother’s overly active libido. “The guy who hasfollowed her from Scotland, and is causing trouble for her here, is the father. He’s a drug dealer back in her hometown and he found out that she ran to America because she’s pregnant with his baby. He followed her here and it’s why she’s hiding out at my place.”

“Well, that changes things,” Eli said. “I mean, I don’t have a clue as to what to do with a baby.”

“Or a pregnant woman, apparently,” Evan teased.

“I’m just not ready for that kind of responsibility,” Eli admitted. His brother wasn’t ready for any responsibility but telling him that would only end with the two of them fighting like it usually did. “I won’t be asking her out.”

“Good to know,” Evan breathed. He pulled into the parking garage and cursed when he saw Carrie’s car. It was parked in space number fifteen, just as she said it would be, but the car had been vandalized. Red spray paint left a very clear message to Carrie from her ex, saying that he’d find her. Apparently, he wasn’t very happy with her ability to hide away from him or the fact that he had to spend a night in prison.

“Shit, tell me that’s not her car,” Eli said.

“I’d love to, but it’s her car,” Evan mumbled. “She said that it’s parked in space fifteen, and I’m assuming that her ex figured that out for himself. He just got out of jail,” Evan said.

“Well, he’s been busy then,” Eli said.

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