Page 36 of The Devil You Know
Evan decided that once daylight came, he’d go down to the historical association’s office and see who he could sweet talk into telling him more. Maybe they’d even have blueprints or photos that would help him narrow down where Osborn might do his rituals.
When he was finally groggy, and the whiskey numbed his heart, Evan checked the locks and wardings, turned off lights, and headed to the bedroom, almost too tired to take off his clothing. He slept on Seth’s side of the bed, hungry for his scent, needing to feel their connection.
Where are you, Seth? Please don’t be dead. I need you here with me. I’m coming for you. Hang on.
* * *
A few hours later,Evan woke with the taste of stale whiskey in his mouth and the dregs of bad dreams haunting his memory. His phone buzzed, and he reached for it, half-awake.
“Have you eaten yet?” Parker asked, sounding far too chipper. “I got in late last night. I thought maybe we could have breakfast. If you’re not tied up, I’d like to spend as much of the day together as we can. We’ve got a lot to catch up on.”
Groggily, Evan realized that it was Saturday, and Parker’s assumption that he was free wasn’t far-fetched. Parker had not only made the first move to call; he’d driven in from Columbus to see him. They might be emotionally distanced, but they were brothers.
Still, Seth’s life was in danger, and Evan couldn’t rely on anyone else to save him. The clock was ticking. Parker’s arrival was incredibly bad timing.
“Breakfast is a great idea. Then I’ve got some errands to run, but you’re welcome to come with me if that won’t bore you to tears,” Evan offered, hoping he was doing the right thing.
“I don’t mind tagging along. There’s plenty to talk about.”
Evan suggested a diner he’d passed that was close to the historical association, and Parker agreed to meet him there in forty-five minutes That gave Evan time to get a shower and have some coffee and let Parker navigate unfamiliar Cleveland traffic.
He walked into the diner ten minutes early and scanned the people sitting in the booths, wondering if he would even recognize Parker after all this time.
Evan looked past the lanky young man sprawled in the rear corner booth before his gaze shifted back, caught by something familiar about the man’s eyes. Parker looked up then and nodded in recognition.Maybe I didn’t change as much as he did.
Evanfelt awkward and on edge. He and Parker had been very close—everyone joked about them being “twins” despite the age difference. Now, he found himself looking at a stranger with a vaguely familiar face and wondering if they could ever bridge the lost time.
Parker rose when Evan approached. He held out his hand, and Evan shook it, then went along willingly when Parker pulled him into a quick hug.
“Good to see you,” Parker said as they sat. “You don’t look any different.”
“You do,” Evan admitted, sliding into the seat across from Parker. “All grown up.”
They ordered quickly when the server came. Coffee for both. Pancakes and bacon for Parker, a waffle and sausage for Evan. After she walked away, they sat in uncomfortable silence for a moment.
“So…college?” Evan asked, remembering that Parker had been taking classes the last time they had talked.
Parker nodded. “Yeah—I’m working on an engineering degree as I get enough to pay for the classes. In Columbus—I had to get out of Oklahoma.” He paused. “How about you?
“I did a lot of bartending for a while, but I managed to get an associate’s degree in graphic design, and now I have my own company, so I can work from anywhere. Still doing photography when I can.” Evan felt a surge of pride that Parker had the initiative to escape and start on a degree.
“That’s fantastic. I’m a clerk for a personnel company right now, and I have a couple of part-time gigs, but I’m still figuring out what I want to do for the long run after I finish college,” Parker replied.
Their food arrived fast, providing a break from conversation. Evan made sure to keep an eye on the restaurant and its patrons, watching for anyone who might take too much notice of them.
By unspoken agreement, they didn’t mention family. Parker told him about his most recent adventures, while Evan came up with stories about the funnier moments from his restaurant days.
When they made it through breakfast without anyone trying to kill them, Evan let out a sigh of relief. Parker insisted on picking up the check, and Evan promised to pay for lunch.
Once they walked outside, Parker hesitated. “We probably don’t need two cars.”
“How about if I follow you back to your hotel, and you leave your car there and ride with me?” Evan suggested. That left him in control and also meant they had the warded vehicle with the hidden cache of weapons.
Parker was fine with that, and fortunately his hotel was nearby. He gave a low whistle of approval when he climbed into the truck. “Nice wheels, man.”
Evan felt a stab of sadness. “It’s not mine. It belongs to Seth—my partner.”
Parker cocked his head and gave him a look. “Partner in the business or—”
