“He knows what I need,” she snaps.
“He’s a pervert,” I scoff.
“And then you got hooked on innocent Eva and I knew she was my way to you. When I realised who she worked for, it was a sign. I already knew Callum, and so it made everything easy.”
“But your plan failed,” I point out. “And your mum is still dead. I still fucked her. Callum and that old bastard you fucked are both dead. So now what?” I ask. She scowls. “Without your Scooby-Doo crew, you’re all alone,” I smirk.
“Is she still around?” She grins. “Eva? She watched you fucking Michelle. That couldn’t have been easy, and what if Michelle ends up pregnant? Now that would be a twist.” I shift uneasily. I hadn’t thought about that. “Maybe I have managed to pay you back. I wanted death, but losing Eva and maybe becoming a dad is much better.”
I stomp from the room. As I pass Chains, I tell him to end her. I can’t let her live and hurt Eva as a way to punish me.
Chapter Seventeen
Eva
It’s been a week since I left the club, and it’s hard. Mum decided to stay there, and so seeing her has been tricky because I want to avoid Cree, which means we have to meet outside of the club a lot. I feel sad all of the time. I can’t shake it, but maybe this is how a broken heart is supposed to feel.
“You’re looking lost.” I smile at the sound of Lake’s voice. “I thought I’d drive you to the job interview.”
“You really don’t have to do that.” I get up from the seat at the bus stop. “You’ve become my chauffeur.” He grins as I put on the helmet and climb on his bike.
“Wedding planning is big business.” Gia smiles. I have a good feeling about her—she’s relaxed and funny, and she makes me feel at ease. “People request some crazy stuff, but I enjoy every second of it. I need someone who can keep me organised.”
“Then I’m the woman for you,” I say. “And I can start straight away”
This has been the quickest interview of my life. She showed me around the small office. She’s a one-woman wedding planner with no other staff. Her last P.A. moved away last week and now she needs a replacement quickly. After wowing her with my previous experience, she seemed impressed. “I have a good feeling about you, Eva. Let’s give it a go.”
I grin excitedly. I thought it would take me much longer to find a job. “Fantastic.”
“You start at nine a.m. on Monday.” She shakes my hand and I practically skip out of her office towards Lake.
“I got the job!” I jump around and Lake laughs. A flash of lightning streaks across the grey sky and raindrops begin to fall, but I don’t care. I’m so happy, I continue to dance around.
“Get on the bike, you crazy woman.” Lake laughs as he thrusts a helmet at me. “People are watching and I don’t want to be associated with a batshit woman dancing in the rain.”
By the time we get back to my place, the rain is hammering down and I’m soaked to the skin. My summer dress sticks to my body as I dismount the bike. I kiss Lake on the shoulder because his helmet is still on. He laughs. “Thanks,” I say before I run towards my house.
I stop at the gate at the sight of Cree sitting on my doorstep. Rain drips down his perfect face and I screenshot his perfect profile to memory. He looks so lost, my heart almost melts. He stares up at me, and for a second, I think he’s been crying, but it could be the rain. “I choose you,” he mutters. “Don’t give up on me, Eva.”
I move closer, digging my keys out of my bag. I push the key in the lock and feel his hands run up my bare legs. He tugs me into his lap and his hands hold my face. “Don’t give up on me,” he repeats and then he presses his lips against mine. I try to pull away, to resist him, but he keeps his hands on my face, and before long, I’m kissing him back. I run my hands through his wet hair and meet him with each thrust of his tongue. It’s a second before I realise that he’s pulling back. I stare at him, panting for breath. “I didn’t come here for that,” he mutters. “I don’t want you to think I’ve come here for that.”
I suddenly feel sick. How could I do that when he’s just been through what he has? I stand and straighten my straggly wet hair. He gets up and pushes the door open, then steps to one side so I can go in.
We stand awkwardly in the living room, dripping onto the floor. “I’m gonna get changed. You should get out of those too,” I mutter, pointing to his soaked jeans. “You’ll get the flu,” I add lamely.
When I return minutes later in some clean, warm pyjamas, I find Cree in the kitchen in his boxer briefs. I pass him a towel, avoiding looking at his tattooed, god-like body. One look and I’ll melt. I can’t be weak like I was moments ago.
“I saw my shrink,” he says.
I put on a pot of coffee just to keep me busy. “Good.”
“She made me see some stuff that maybe I didn’t see before.”
“Good,” I repeat lamely.
Cree sighs. “Eva.” I grab two mugs and place them on the worktop. If I keep busy, I won’t break. “Eva, look at me.” I spoon sugar into my mug and then I feel him behind me. He stills my hands by placing his over them. “Eva, please.”
I sigh and drop the spoon into my mug. “Why are you here, Cree?”
“I know I’m not perfect. I keep fucking us up. I don’t know
