Page 9 of The Warrior's Salvation

I can't shake the similarity between her and Maelyn. She has the same body type Maelyn had, the same slender fingers. Hell, they even smell the same, or maybe that's my mind playing tricks on me. It makes all sorts of memories bubble up that I have to push down. Evelyn isn't in danger. I don't have to feel this way, but I do. I feel like putting a protective arm around her, pushing her behind my back, ready to fight anyone or anything that might harm her.

"And that's that…" she says, and I realize I've been lost in thought not paying attention to her. I'll have to ask more questions which she will think are dumb questions, but it means more time close to her. I like the thought of that. Being near her makes me feel in control and at peace.

"Lochlan," she says. then she turns to lean on the edge of my desk. I look up at her wondering what she's going to ask as she continues. "Do you think Da is a criminal?" Evelyn winces and looks down, saying, "I mean… I'm not trying to accuse you of anything, but I know your reputation." Her eyes track back up my body to meet my gaze. "Do you think he's like you?"

The question comes out of left field and I wonder if it has to do with anything she may or may not have seen in the warehouse, but I answer cautiously. "Your father is a good man, Evie." I want to touch her arm or leg, show her my compassionate side, but I don't want her to think it's inappropriate. "I don't think you need to worry about it. He has a good heart, and he loves you."

"But do you think he's in danger?" I see the very real fear in her eyes, the same fear I saw in Maelyn's eyes before she walked into that building. I should've gone first. I should've protected her.

"No, Evie. I think he knows what he's doing. Family watches out for each other, you know? So he's protected." My slip-up doesn't even faze her. She's staring off at the wall where one of Draco's many bulletin boards hangs. She nods and stands, smoothing her hand across her skirt, then turns to me.

"What did you mean by—" Her phone rings, making her jump. I watch her blanch and reach for it, and she mutters, "I have to take this," before rushing out. I'm left wondering what she could possibly have heard or seen to make her suspicious of Draco, but now I know I have to turn up the heat on my observation.

If Evie is starting to suspect something, I have to know what she suspects and I have to stop her from getting any confirmation of those suspicions. It's why I'm here. I may have failed Maelyn, but I won't fail at this. I can't.

Draco is depending on me.

7

EVIE

Mum's meal is delicious but I'm not that hungry. Since the moment Lochlan walked through the front door and joined us at our dining table, I've been distracted. Da has been so busy handling things at the picket line that he hasn't stopped by the office, so this family dinner has turned into business talk.

"But the shipments have gone out on time?" Da asks, eyes flicking up at me, then Lochlan. Jasper's head is buried, phone in hand as he shovels food into his mouth. He seems entirely disinterested in talking shop, but with everything going on I feel even more alert to it. That call the other day was a warning for me not to talk to anyone about what that man Darren said.

He threatened me again, said he'd harm my father or turn in evidence to the public prosecutors or garda that exposes my father's supposed illegal business. But I tore through our computer system and I've found no trace of any wrongdoing. Everything looks above board, just like Jasper said, just like Lochlan encouraged. My da is a good man.

"Yes, sir," Loch replies, and I notice him steal a glance at me too. Every time he does, I think of how his temperament changed on a dime the other day. I was so freaked out by that asshole in the parking lot that I came across as scared of Lochlan, and he pulled me into Da's office to help me calm down. My own father would've told me to perk up and left me at my desk. I thought it was sweet, though he was a bit demanding.

"Things are going well, Da." I put a bite of savory meat into my mouth and chew thoughtfully, studying his facial expression. He cares about the union so much that he's willing to go out and picket right alongside our members, and that just shows his heart. But he worries too much. Lochlan and I are handling things around the office while he's doing the more important work of ensuring our members get what they pay for. Those union dues aren't cheap for them, so to see their leader out on the picket line means something. "We're handling things."

Da grunts and nods and Lochlan chimes in. "She's phenomenal, Draco." He nods at me as he puts a bite of dinner into his mouth, talking as he chews it. "You've really got something. Evie is smart as a whip. When this is all over and she's finished her degree, you need to give her a raise."

I'm not sure where the high praise is coming from, seeing as I am only doing my job, but I'm flattered. My cheeks warm, and I avoid looking at him because I know if I do, he'll see the way I really feel. I'm attracted to every word he says. I hang on them and find myself so mesmerized that I'm staring.

"Well, I'm glad things are going well," Da says. He wipes his mouth and his phone begins to buzz. "Pardon me. I have to take this." He stands, bringing the phone to his ear, and for the first time all night, Jasper looks up from his phone. Even Lochlan traces Da's movements toward the door he walks through.

"I'll be back," Jasper grumbles, and he, too, gets up and walks out, leaving Lochlan sitting awkwardly at the table across from me.

"How is it?" Mum asks us both, probably to make conversation since my father just rudely walked out on his guest, and I moan my enjoyment as I chew.

"It's very good, Miriam." Lochlan smiles at her, and I'm smitten. He is so handsome, so self-assured. His black dress shirt gives his skin a very warm tone. His hair falls in his eyes slightly, and I imagine those thick biceps pinning me in, arms wrapped around me. It's a dumb fantasy, but that doesn't stop me from thinking it.

Kelly tells me all the time to "live a little" because she knows when my mum and da have their way, my life is over. The things a normal twenty-something would be allowed to do will be off limits to me, and I'll be married to a man I've never really gotten to know. It's the way of things in my family and I've always known it would be my fate. It doesn't mean I like it, but I understand.

"Let me clear these plates," Mum says absently as she stands to pick up Jasper’s and my father's plates. Lochlan smiles at her again, and when she leaves, he focuses on me.

It's unnerving when he turns the full force of that grin on me. It's not even a full spread where the smile reaches his eyes—just a little half-grin. But he's charming and funny. I've sat here as he spoke with my father kindly, talked about the meal and the family and then work. Now as he watches me finish my last bite and wipe my mouth, I feel the need to excuse myself. I start to stand up, and Da struts back in.

"I have to run. There's trouble at the line again." He's scowling as he looks at me. "What are you doing?" he asks, and I feel put on the spot. It's rude for me to leave Lochlan sitting here alone, but that is exactly what I was just about to do.

"I'll go with you," I tell him, fumbling with my words, desperate to not be alone in the same room with Mr. O'Rourke. He makes me nervous but not in an "I'm scared" sort of way. More so, I'm nervous of what stupid thing I may say to make myself look foolish or immature.

"No, you stay here." Da turns to Lochlan. "I'll be back shortly. Make yourself at home. Have a drink. Evelyn can help you settle in."

"Of course," Lochlan says smoothly. He stands too, and now I feel stuck.

"But Da, if I'm going to learn the whole business, don't you think I should?—"

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