Page 99 of The Rowdy Ones
Evan smirks at her as if he’s amused by her presence. I don’t like them being in the same room together.
“Talked to my dad today.” His smile twists into a familiar sneer that makes my blood run cold. “What kind of lies did you feed him?”
“I didn’t say shit.” I roll my head on my neck in an attempt to loosen my tense muscles. “Is that why you’re here?”
“No, I came to murder you,” he deadpans.
Destiny sucks in a sharp breath. This sends Evan into a fit of roaring laughter, which then sets Scout off. He gets the zoomies, jumps off Evan’s lap, and then proceeds to run back and forth down the hallway, barking the whole time. Destiny manages to stop him when he passes, and pets him in an attempt to calm him down.
“Fuck off,” I mutter. “You didn’t come to murder me.”
“What?” Evan says in a mocking tone. “I thought you for sure told my dad all about our sordid history and then threw me under the bus for these murders.”
I lean against the counter with my hip, boring my hard stare into him. “We both know you’re not a murderer. Predator, yes. Master manipulator, sure. But killer? Nah.”
Evan drags his eyes over to Destiny, studying her intently. I don’t like the way he inspects her, especially when she doesn’t know. Clearing my throat, I draw his attention back to me. If I can stall him, Wild and his family will be back. Evan won’t act like a dick in front of them.
“They didn’t have anything to hold me on,” Evan says, crossing his arms over his chest. “I’m pissed Dad could even think I’d be capable of such a thing.”
“Everyone knows you’re not right in the head,” I tell him, tapping at my temple. “Especially those closest to you.”
His lips thin out, and again, I find him eyeing my sister. It unnerves me. She’s crouched down, petting the dog. What’s so fucking interesting to him about that?
“So you came here to bitch me out for something I didn’t do?” I demand, inching closer to Destiny because Evan makes me uneasy as fuck. “You wasted a trip, man.”
When I get close to Destiny, I touch her head, offering comfort for her not to worry. Naturally, Evan’s eyes cut over to where my hand is. His nostrils flare and the familiar jealousy he wears like a second skin burns bright.
“That’s not all I wanted to discuss,” he clips out, unable to keep his glare off my oblivious sister. “I wanted to discuss us.”
Destiny rises to her feet at that. I slide my palm to her lower back.
“There is no us, Evan. There never was.”
“Come on,” he says, chuckling darkly. “You know that’s not true. You fucking worshipped me.”
It sickens me knowing he preyed on me. I was young and impressionable. Evan swooped in, befriended me, and then took me on a journey to hell. It’s a miracle I made it out of his grip.
“You’re a rapist,” Destiny hisses. “And you should leave.”
Evan’s eyes narrow on her and then he arches an eyebrow at me. “Interesting.”
I stiffen, not liking that he’s figuring out the relationship between me and Destiny. We’re not exactly great at hiding it and he’s always been hyper perceptive when it comes to me. It’s a power I don’t want him to wield over me.
“You know that was the drugs, right?” Evan says, giving me his best puppy dog expression. “I’m better now. The man I was when the drugs took hold of me is not the man I am at my core.” He darts his gaze over to Destiny and then back to me, a sadistic grin on his face. “Do you think about me when you come?”
I knew Evan didn’t have it in him to kill anyone. He likes to toy with his victims too much. Abusing them is a lot more fun to him. Drawing out their pain and suffering for his own enjoyment is what he’s good at. Killing them would be too abrupt for him. What he’s doing right now is what he gets off on. I can almost bet he’s hard as fuck right now, too.
At once, that thought might’ve sent heat burning down my spine. All I feel is disgust toward a man I once loved. The need to protect Destiny from him is stronger than any hold he ever had over me.
“I’m going to call Uncle Atticus,” Destiny threatens. “He’ll make you leave.”
Evan jerks to his feet so fast it spooks Scout and he barks angrily at him. Out of instinct, I step in front of Destiny. She’s too brave for her own good, though, and darts around me, her stick swooping the space in front of her.
“Or maybe we should call the cops,” she says, lifting her chin. “Maybe they won’t arrest you for all those murders, but threatening an ex-boyfriend whom you raped and drugged is a good way to go to jail. Leave or we’ll make you.”
Evan’s lips curl into a wide grin. It’s a grin I saw a time or two when he would get particularly cruel. My entire being wilts and my skin crawls. I hate his effect on me.
“Sure thing, tough girl.” Then, with lightning quick speed, he snatches her cane from her grip. “Oh no! What will you do without this?”
