Nyght's Eve

by Laurie Roma

  Evie let out a groan. “Can we please stop calling him that?”

  “Yes! I want to hear all about this kiss. Was it soft and dreamy or hot and steamy?” Becca asked, leaning forward. “What? I’m not getting any so I need to live vicariously through you.”

  “What you need to do is stop mooning over some guy you’ve never even met and go out with a real man,” Nikita corrected.

  “I am not mooning over anyone,” Becca protested. Aggravated, she shot a glare at her twin. “For the last time, he’s just a pen pal. You’re just irritated because I won’t tell you who he is.”

  “Oh, leave Becca alone,” Zoe scolded. “Sorry we don’t all have a hot, biker boyfriend like you do. How are you and Tiny doing by the way?”

  Nikita rolled her eyes. “His name is Tate, and no, I’m not dating him anymore.”

  “Aww, what happened?” Evie asked.

  “He got...attached. I thought we were just having fun, but then he started texting all the time and asking where I was. It was annoying, so I ended it.” Nikita paused with an exaggerated sigh. “He cried.”

  The women all laughed. “Of course he did,” Zoe said. “Girl, you are the only woman I know who can make a big, tattooed hulk cry like a little girl.”

  Nikita didn’t want to let her friends know exactly how much her break up with Tate had really bothered her. Her friends all thought of her as a player of sorts, and maybe she was. But the real reason she dated so much was because she was looking for someone she really connected with. And that person wasn’t Tate. Deciding it was time to turn the conversation away from herself, Nikita asked, “Speaking of men crying, how is the big bet going? I have to say, it’s been killing me to know and not be able to tease Dante about it.”

  “You can’t!” Zoe exclaimed, wine sloshing over the rim of her glass as she jerked in her seat.

  “Relax. You swore us to secrecy. I haven’t said a word to Dante about it,” Nikita assured her. “But I have to ask, if he goes through with the entire bet and doesn’t touch another woman for four months, are you finally going to put him out of his misery?”

  “He does seem to have it pretty bad for you,” Becca agreed.

  “Honestly, I think Dante is serious about this,” Evie said softly. “But you need to really think about this, because once he has you, I don’t think he’s ever going to let you go. He’s different with you. I’m not excusing his past behavior, but I will say that he treats you better than any other woman I’ve ever seen him with, besides his sister, Danica.”

  “Things are...complicated,” Zoe hedged. There were things the other women didn’t know. Secrets she couldn’t tell them. Still, the thought of being with Dante made her breathless with anticipation.

  “I still don’t get why you’re torturing the poor guy,” Nikita said. “You guys practically act like you’re married already.”

  Evie laugh. “I know. It’s so cute to see the way they interact with each other.”

  Zoe held up her hands. “Okay, enough about me. I want to know details about the big kiss. No more stalling, Evie.”

  “He is just so...annoying. First he tells me he’s not interested in a relationship with me, then he kisses me silly. I just don’t get him,” Evie said, the frustration she felt clear in her voice. Her dogs reacted to the sound and their heads lifted. She smiled at them and rubbed gently on one of Galahad’s ears.

  “Do you think he’s playing with you?” Becca asked, concerned.

  “I don’t think that’s it,” Nikita said. “Dare seems to be having a hard time transitioning back to real life. Lots of soldiers go through that.”

  Evie nodded. “I know what you mean. It’s like I can almost feel his pain when I’m around him, and part of me just wants to reach out and help, but another part is telling me to stay away. Far away. That nothing good can come of this.”

  Zoe waved her glass in the air. “That’s because you like to over think things. Here’s the most important question. How was the kiss, really? I mean how did you feel after?”

  “You mean after I got my brain to start working again? Jesus, the second he touched me it was like I just...melted.”

  “Damn it. Now you’re just bragging,” Zoe muttered.

  Some of the tension left Evie’s body as she laughed along with her friends. It was good to be able to discuss her concerns with them, and have them help rationalize the...situation she found herself in with Dare. “It’s obvious the sexual chemistry is there, but that doesn’t mean a relationship between us would work.”

  “You won’t know if you don’t try, though,” Becca protested. “Why don’t you take things slow with him? Feel it out.”

  Nikita chuckled. “I don’t think Dare is the type of guy to take anything slow. Once he made up his mind he wanted you, I think that was it.”

  Evie raised a brow at that. “And I’m just supposed to go along with that?”

  “Now, Evie, don’t get mad. It’s just that it’s so rare for you to really be interested in a guy, and we don’t want you to give up on Dare just because he confuses you.”

  “Ha! You’re one to talk,” Evie countered as she wagged a finger at Zoe.

  Zoe scowled. “I have two months to figure out what the hell to do about Dante. Besides, I work for him and things could get messy if things don’t work out between us.”

  “Well, Dare is staying at the boarding house and he’s been spending a lot of time at the center. That could get messy, too,” Evie argued.

  “Because he wants to spend time with you. I think it’s sweet.”

  Evie shot Becca a look. “It’s because he wants to sleep with me.”

  “Well, don’t you want to sleep with him, too?”

  “Yes. No. I don’t know.”

  Becca, Nikita and Zoe exchanged knowing glances. “That means yes.”

  “Yes, I’m attracted to him. I’ve talked to Kali about Dare and even Hunter likes him, and you know Hunter doesn’t like anyone. I just don’t want to get involved with him if nothing can come of it. There’s something about him that intrigues me, but why spend more time with him if it won’t go anywhere? I’m not looking for a fling. What happens if I fall for him and he just leaves? He could really hurt me if I let myself care.”

  “We just have to make him want to stay. Show him he has a good home here,” Zoe said.

  “Christ, he isn’t one of Evie’s dogs,” Nikita muttered.

  Becca frowned. “You have a similar background to Dare, right? And you’re happy here in Breakers. How long did it take you to start feeling normal again after you stopped doing...whatever it was you were doing?”

  “I’ll let you know when that happens,” Nikita said, then gulped down the rest of her wine. She couldn’t take the looks of sympathy the others cast her way, so she stood up.

  “You’re not leaving are you?”

  Nikita sighed. “No, but if we’re going to continue this conversation I need more wine. A lot more wine. If we’re going to open another bottle, I’m going to stash my bike in the garage.”

  Evie looked at Nikita in exasperation. “Why do you act like it’s some sort of big secret that we’re friends?”

  “Because it is.” Nikita rolled her eyes. “Listen, you’re…you. The nice girl that everyone loves. Me? I operate better in the shadows. If people know we’re friends, then they’re gonna assume that it’s safe to talk to me. You may like having people blather to you all the time, but I don’t want it. I’d rather have them fear me, or avoid me. Actually, I’m good with avoidance.”

  “I find your logic strangely fascinating,” Evie said with a laugh.

  Nikita scowled. “Laugh it up, bitch. If people find out and start calling me for play dates, I will kill you.” Nikita turned back before she opened the front door. Ignoring Evie’s laughter, she said, “Dare is the type of man who needs an objective...something to focus on. Like you, he’s used to being busy. If you want him to stay here, give him a task. Help him make a connection here and maybe h
e’ll stay. Come on, boys. I’ll take you outside to pee while I’m up.”

  The four dogs scrambled to their feet with a clatter of nails dancing against the wooden floor. Evie considered what Nikita said after she left the room with the dogs trailing happily in her wake. “That makes sense. I mean, he’s used to having multiple patients, and doing whatever else he did while he was deployed. I know it would drive me crazy not having something to do.”

  Zoe sighed. “Great. Two control freaks getting together. This should be interesting.”

  “I wish she would talk to me,” Becca whispered, tears stinging her eyes as she continued to stare at the front door her sister had just walked out of.

  Evie reached out and gripped Becca’s hand. “I’m sorry, sweetie.”

  “Experiences change who we are,” Zoe said softly. “And it seems like bad experiences change us more than the good. I didn’t know Niki before I moved here to Breakers, but I can see whatever she’s been through has affected her. She reacts like this every time we bring up her past. I think to her it might be like us saying that we don’t accept who she is now.”

  “I don’t mean that!”

  “We know you don’t,” Evie assured Becca. “None of us mean that. You know we all love Niki, and I know you love her more than anything. But you said it yourself. She’s not the same person she used to be.”

  Zoe nodded. “What she said about Dare, I think it’s the same for her. I think she stays here for you, Becca. If that’s not love, than I don’t know what is.”

  Becca wiped the tears from her eyes. “I know, it’s just that she doesn’t talk to me like she used to. There are parts of her life that she completely shuts me out of, and I don’t understand why.”

  “She’s not doing it to hurt you,” Zoe said gently.

  “I know...I just want my twin back.”

  Evie didn’t have the heart to tell her friend that she suspected that the twin Becca once knew was long gone. What Zoe said made sense. Experiences changed a person, and the past couldn’t be wiped away.

  She knew that better than most people.

  Life was too short to worry about what ifs. She wasn’t a coward, and she swore to herself that she never would be. Maybe it wouldn’t work out with Dare, but maybe there was a chance it would. She’d dealt with enough returning vets to see Dare was struggling with his own personal demons. It was there in his eyes. And if what Zoe suggested was true, then he was also coming to terms with realizing he wasn’t the same person he used to be.

  The truth was, she liked who he was now. He may be surly and somewhat irritating at times, but she could tell he was a good man. At least a good enough man to want to get to know better to see if there was more than just sexual attraction between them. Deep down, Evie thought she could help Dare heal, if he let her. Perhaps, because of what he’d been through, he could help her as well.

  And if she ended up being stupid and letting Dare into her heart...she’d damn well find a way to make him love her back.

  Somehow.

  ****

  Evie got a late start the next day.

  Still feeling the effects from the night of drinking with her friends, she was glad she was working the late shift at the rescue center, but went in early anyways to get a jump on some paperwork. Over the next few hours, she worked in her office and she thought over what she wanted to do about her...thing with Dare. Evie was good at organization and management, and figured there had to be something she could come up with to help give him something to do. She’d been mulling things over since last night, and thought she’d come up with the perfect task to involve him in.

  Now, it was time to see if he would cooperate.

  Evie looked at her watch and muttered a curse as she realized how much time had passed while she was lost in paperwork. If her plan was going to work, she needed to move quickly. She hurried out of the office and found Dare out in the main kennels where he was helping clean out the cages.

  It gave her a secret thrill to see Dare working with the dogs she loved so much. When he was focusing on his tasks, his face lost that guarded edge. It made him look younger and more approachable. Well, at least a little bit. She knew the moment he became aware of her approach as she watched his body stiffen, then his head turned and those dark-gray eyes locked with hers.

  “Huh. You don’t look any worse for wear.”

  “Excuse me?”

  Dare flashed a grin at her. “Princess, I love it when you say that. I meant after your girl party. Kali told us she was missing out on the drunken revelry. I didn’t know you ladies still had sleepovers.”

  “We do when it involves mass amounts of wine,” she said with a laugh. “It’s a good thing I’m on the evening shift tonight.”

  “I got a late start myself. I ate so much last night I practically put myself in a food coma. I think I scared Kali with how much I consumed.”

  Evie couldn’t help but laugh at that. “I think she’s used to it since she feeds Hammer all the time now.”

  “True. She sent us off on a walk down by the beach with Ranger and Tink while she cleaned up. Damn, do those dogs have some energy. We offered to stay and help Kali, but...”

  “Kali doesn’t like anyone else in her kitchen. It drives her crazy when Hammer moves things or puts stuff back in the wrong place.” Deciding she’d stalled long enough, she looked around to make sure no one else was near, then asked, “I was hoping I could talk to you about something. Actually, it’s a favor.”

  His voice lowered to a seductive rumble. “Does it have to do with more of what we started last time we were together?”

  “What? No!”

  Dare took a step closer and Evie forced herself not to back away. “I told you a taste wasn’t enough, princess. I want more.”

  “Why are you talking about me like I’m a piece of pie?”

  “Not a piece, sweetheart. I want the whole damn pie.”

  “Comparing me to food...how flattering,” she said drolly. “This is serious.”

  “It is,” he agreed. “I want you, Eve.”

  Her pulse skittered at the intense look he seared her with. Jesus, the man was potent. “I...that’s not my name.”

  “I think it suits you. You’re not Evie to me. Evie is someone’s friend. Eve is the woman I want screaming my name while I’m inside you.”

  Oh my God...

  She found herself swaying towards him until she realized where they were. Looking around, she saw the other people in the kennel were pretending like they weren’t trying to listen in, but she knew better. In defense, Evie grabbed Dare’s hand and pulled him towards the break room. She was aware that he let her drag him after her, and she was relieved to see the room was empty.

  Evie tried to let go of his hand, but he held onto it, pulling her closer. “I...can’t do this here. I’m the boss. You can’t just go seducing me when I’m working—”

  “But I can later?”

  She had to laugh at the hopeful tone in his voice. “Maybe. We’ll talk about that later. About that favor...”

  Dare let out a sigh. “What did you want to ask me?”

  For a moment, Evie forgot what she had wanted to discuss with him as he ran his hands up and down her back in soothing strokes. It made her want to curl into him and rest her head against his broad chest. The man really had a talent for making her forget herself. “Oh, umm...I was wondering if you were going to be hanging around here this afternoon.”

  “That depends.”

  Frowning at his cryptic response, she continued. “I was hoping you could do me a favor if you’re staying. There is this young boy Shane Diaz, I think you met him and his older brother Nate the other day. They’re my friend Anna’s nephews.”

  Dare nodded, looking wary now. “I remember them.”

  “The thing is, Shane’s been having a tough time lately. Their father, Anna’s brother, was a Marine who died overseas. A few months ago, we found out their mother and her boyfriend were abusing the boys.
The mother had gotten involved with drugs and the boyfriend was some dealer in Dallas. On New Year’s Eve, the boyfriend got angry at Shane for something and nearly beat him to death, then he kicked the poor boy down a flight of stairs.”

  “Son of a bitch!”

  Dare let go of her and stepped back, his hands clenching into fists as he thought about what that young boy had been through. He wished he could find the motherfucker who did that to the kid and tear him apart with his bare hands.

  Bastards like that didn’t deserve anything less.

  “I know,” Evie said softly. “The boyfriend, Bill Hollis, was high, and went after Nate with a kitchen knife, but luckily he wasn’t too hurt. The police got there in time. The thing is, Shane spent a long time in the hospital recovering from internal injuries. He’s better now, but since this all happened, Shane hasn’t really spoken.”

  “Were his vocal cords damaged?”

  “No. The doctors said Shane would talk again when he was ready. The only thing that really seems to interest him is coming here to play with the dogs. The trial is coming up and Anna says that Shane is pretty nervous about it. They had to delay it a few times already. After Bill was taken into custody they had to wait because Nate fractured the guy’s jaw during their fight.”

  “So, the fucker is all healed now?”

  Evie pursed her lips. “Not exactly. While Bill’s jaw healed, an incident happened when a few other inmates attacked him after they found out he had abused the kids. I have a feeling some of the men in town made sure that information got spread around.”

  Dare’s eyes glittered with satisfaction. “Good.”

  “I thought so, too. But now the trial is coming up again. Nate is all for putting that horrible man away, but I don’t know if Shane is going to be able to testify.”

  “Does he really have to?”

  She shrugged. “It would be good for him. It will give him closure, but they won’t force him if he can’t speak.”