CHAPTER 4: Losing Control.

Dominic.

I moved closer to Evelyn, her name still echoing in my head from the news broadcast this morning.

I was forced to listen to it in the police station when they questioned me about the fire, my club and basically everything about my life.

They tried to keep me there longer than necessary, but they had nothing solid. So they let me go for now. But I knew it was only a matter of time before they called me back.

So yes, I was angry, exhausted and running on no sleep. But all of that faded the moment I looked at her.

The bruises on her face were already starting to fade, but it did nothing to calm the anger inside me.

“Umm… if there’s nothing else, I would like to be on my way,” Evelyn muttered, and that’s when I realized that she was scared of me.

I stepped back immediately and shoved my hands into my pockets, forcing myself to look less threatening.

“So if you leave,” I said carefully, “do you have a place to go?”

I didn’t want her to leave.

I knew I shouldn’t keep her. But I also knew that if she walked out of this house, it was only a matter of time before her douchebag husband found her again.

“I’ll find somewhere,” she replied softly. “You’ve already helped me enough.”

She turned to leave.

I opened my mouth to stop her, but before the words could come out, she suddenly doubled over and gasped loudly.

I was at her side in an instant.

“Easy,” I muttered, gripping her arm to steady her.

She winced and her face paled. That did it.

“You’re staying,” I said firmly. “At least until you heal.”

“But—”

“No buts.” My voice came out harder than I intended. “You and I both know there’s nowhere you can hide from your husband.”

She hesitated, her shoulders slumping slightly as if the fight had drained out of her.

“How can I repay you?” she asked quietly.

“Don’t worry about that,” I replied. “Just get better.”

I guided her up the stairs to the guest room where she had been treated earlier.

“I’ll make you some soup,” I added. “And I’ll have some clothes delivered. Then maybe… we can talk later.”

She looked at me with teary eyes and gave a small nod.

“Thank you,” she whispered, and I felt so damn proud of myself.

***

I went downstairs and headed straight for the kitchen. I rarely cooked, since I had a chef for that. But I had dismissed everyone for the day.

I scanned the kitchen, trying to decide where to start, when Marco walked in. He stopped and took everything in.

“What are you doing?” he asked slowly.

“I’m making soup.”

He blinked in disbelief.

“For… her?”

“Yes.”

His brows lifted slightly. “You’re getting attached.”

I didn’t answer.

He scoffed. “You don’t even know her.”

“I know enough.”

“Clearly not,” he muttered.

That got my attention. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

He leaned against the counter, folding his arms. “I saw her at the hospital.”

My eyes narrowed. “And?”

“With Liam Kingsley.”

My body went still.

“…What?”

“They were talking,” Marco continued. “Very intimately. And when he was leaving, he called her ‘little angel.’”

The words sank in slowly. Liam Kingsley.

The same Liam who had tried to screw me over more times than I could count. The same Liam who smiled to your face while stabbing you in the back.

My hand slammed against the counter.

So that was it.

She walks into my life out of nowhere, just happens to be rescued by me, just happens to be in the same hospital as Liam, and just happens to need protection.

This was a setup.

I didn’t say another word to Marco. Instead, I turned and left the kitchen, taking the stairs two at a time.

As much as I wanted to protect her, I wouldn’t be played. I wouldn’t let Liam use her to get to me, not again.

I reached the guest room and pushed the door open without knocking, but the room was empty.

“Fuck,” I muttered.

Just as I turned to leave, the bathroom door opened and she stepped out, wrapped in nothing but a short towel.

Water drops clung to her skin, and her hair was damp around her shoulders. She froze when she saw me, her eyes widening.

“Oh… um… is there a problem?” she asked nervously. “Did you need something?”

For a second, my mind went blank. She looked so innocent, nothing like the manipulative little spy Marco had just painted in my head.

But I wasn’t fooled.

“What business do you have with Liam Kingsley?” I demanded.

Her brows furrowed. “What?”

“Don’t play dumb with me,” I snapped, grabbing her arm. “Did he send you? Is this some kind of game to you?”

Her breath hitched. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

But I didn’t believe her. I tightened my grip slightly, frustration taking over. “Answer me.”

Her lips trembled. “I—I really don’t understand…”

I leaned in, my voice dropping. “So help me, Evelyn, if you don’t tell me the truth right now, you will regret ever thinking you could deceive me.”

That seemed to annoy her because she shoved me hard.

“I don’t know what the hell you’re talking about!” she yelled. “I have never even met Liam Kingsley until I ran into him at the hospital today!”

She jabbed her finger into my chest, anger blazing in her eyes.

“I don’t know what it is with rich men like you,” she continued, her voice shaking, “thinking that because you have money, you can control everyone around you! I am tired of all of you. I didn’t even want to stay in your stupid house, remember?”

Her chest heaved as she finished, and I couldn’t help noticing the way the towel strained against her body.

But I pushed the thought away. I stepped forward and she stepped back, until her back hit the wall and my body caged her in.

Her breath quickened as I raised a hand and wrapped it around her neck. It wasn’t too tight, but it was enough to remind her of the difference between us.

“Don’t you ever talk to me like that again,” I whispered. “Do you understand?”

Her eyes widened and the fire in them dimmed. She swallowed hard and nodded, as a small whimper escaped her lips.

And something inside me snapped.

I didn’t know when I leaned in. I didn’t know when my hand tightened or when my mouth crashed against hers.

One second, I was furious. And the next second, I was kissing her hard.

Her lips were soft and tasted like strawberries. The taste was addictive and I groaned before I could stop myself, pulling her closer without thinking.

Her tensed body relaxed after that, and that was my breaking point.

I pulled away, breathing heavily as I stepped back.

What the hell was I doing?

I turned away from her without a word and stormed out of the room.

As I descended the stairs, I saw Marco waiting for me in the living room.

“Don,” he said. “We have a problem.”

I stopped walking. “What now?”

He hesitated. “It’s Victor Blackthorn.”

My blood went cold.

“He just put out a statement,” Marco continued. “He’s offering a reward to anyone who finds his wife.”

I slowly turned back toward the guest room door.

“And your address,” Marco added quietly, “is already trending online.”