At eight p.m., he headed back to his motel, tired but hopeful. He grabbed a sandwich from a snack vending machine and pushed his way into his motel room.
The first blow hit him on the back of his head, and purely out of shock, he went down. His attacker launched himself at Evan, and the two men struggled before the assailant landed a flurry of knockout punches on his face. Evan was a big man, but given the surprise attack, he was outpunched.
He heard his attacker hiss. “Stay away from her…”
Eventually, as Evan hovered on the edge of consciousness, his attacker left suddenly, leaving Evan bleeding on the floor of his room.
Evan laid there for several minutes trying to fight unconsciousness. He heard voices outside and then a voice he recognized.
“Jesus Christ, kid, what the hell happened here?”
Teddy Vale crouched over Evan, who opened an eye painfully. “Got jumped.”
He tried to get up, but Teddy gently pushed him back down. “Stay where you are, Teal, we’ll get the paramedics.”
“There’s no need.” But Evan gave up arguing as Teddy was apparently intent on getting him to the hospital.
At the small local emergency room, they gave him a CT scan. Evan was starting to feel like himself again as he was wheeled out of the room.
“Wouldn’t have thought a little place like this would have been able to afford a CT scanner.”
The radiologist smiled at him. “Courtesy of Lukia Fleming and Billy Cyprian. It’s no exaggeration to say that they have given a lot to this town.”
His CT was clear and after an hour, and after his wounds were taken care of, Evan discharged himself. Teddy drove him back to his motel room. “Look, kid…I’d relocate. I’d offer you my couch, but a tall guy like you wouldn’t fit.”
Evan smiled at his friend gratefully. “Thanks, Teddy, I’ll figure something out.”
“You take care, now.”
Evan’s cell phone rang at the same time as Teddy’s and both men looked alarmed. “Shit,” Teddy spat out.
“I’ll meet you there,” said Evan already on the way to his car.
It was Lukia.
She opened the door and ran into Evan’s arms, sobbing hysterically. Evan managed to get Lukia inside, Teddy behind him, but she was so upset that eventually he had to pick her up and carry her into the kitchen. Teddy hovered, looking uncomfortable as Lukia sobbed, her face buried in Evan’s chest. His shirt was still covered in blood, but she didn’t notice.
“Sweetheart? Lukia, take a breath, come on now…”
Behind him, Billy Cyprian came into the room, carrying an open laptop, his face grim. He gave Evan a strange look as he noticed his arms around his sister. Billy put the laptop down and without a word, showed Evan and Teddy exactly why Lukia was so upset. On the screen, although certain parts were blurred out, was the video tape of Lukia’s attack. Even with the sound turned down, it was horrifying to watch, and Evan felt sick to his stomach. His arms tightened around Lukia subconsciously.
“What I want to know more than anything,” said Billy in a low, dangerous voice, “Is how the fuck the tabloid sites got hold of it, and why the fuck would they show it? They must know it’s a crime?”
Lukia pulled away from Evan finally, her lovely face filled with pain and humiliation. “Because it’s only a woman being attacked after all. It happens every day, after all, no biggie. And I’m an actress, so naturally, I’m a whore who’s asking for it anyway.” Her voice was gravelly but full of rage and anger and sarcasm. Billy put a hand on his sister’s head, and Evan saw the pain reflected his eyes too.
“I’m so sorry, Boo,” Billy said, his voice breaking, “I would pay anything for this not to have happened.” He looked at Evan, a note of hardness in his voice. “What’s your next move, Agent?”
“The only good thing to come out of this is that if these sites paid for the footage, then there’s a money trail, no matter how hard they try to hide it, and I’ll threaten them with prosecution if they try to block us in any way. As horrifying as this is, it’s also the attacker’s’s first mistake. He’s stuck his head out of the rabbit hole – and I’m going to take it off.”
Later, when Lukia had calmed down, and Billy was outside talking to Teddy, Lukia touched Evan’s bruised face. “What happened?”
Evan smiled wryly. “Got jumped in my motel room. Someone doesn’t want me near you.”
Lukia looked angry. “Fuck them. Fuck them all, Evan, I mean it, I’m so tired of all of this.” She dropped her face in her hands for a moment before looking up. “You must stay here. We have all the room in the world…you must stay here. Billy, tell him, he can stay here as long as he’s working on this case.”
Billy had entered the kitchen behind them, but he held up a finger as he was chatting urgently on his cell phone. They waited until he had hung up. He looked at his sister questioningly.
“Sorry, Boo, what was that?”
“Have you seen Evan’s bruises? Someone attacked him at his motel. I said he should stay here. We have the room.”
“I’m not sure that would appropriate,” Evan interjected before Billy could answer, but Lukia’s brother nodded.
“I would appreciate it if you would consider it, Evan. I have work commitments for the next three days, and I have to fulfil them. I would feel better – and I know Lukia would be more secure – if you would stay.” His attitude had softened since earlier.
Evan sighed. He really didn’t have a choice, did he? “Okay. Thank you.”
Lukia got up. “I’ll go set up a room for you.”
Evan caught her hand. “Please, don’t go to any extra trouble.”
“Nonsense,” she smiled at him, calm now after the trauma of earlier. Evan could see the relief in her eyes that he was staying. She left the room, and Billy took her seat, eyeing Evan’s injuries.
“You know who did that?”
Evan shook his head. “Honestly, it’s the last thing on my mind, Billy. When I find out who attacked Lukia, I’ll get my answer, and I won’t stop until I uncover who’s behind this. Whoever it is.”
He met Billy’s gaze steadily, and Billy didn’t look away. “Good. Look, I wish I didn’t have to go away, but Lukia would be the first person to tell me not to give in to this nonsense. Not that I’m underplaying what happened to my sister; believe me, I could kill the asshole who attacked her.”
Evan nodded, contemplating the young man in front of him. “You always been close to Lukia?”
Billy grinned. “Been talking to Teddy, have you?”
Evan gave a chuckle. “I have to ask.”
Billy nodded. “Fair enough. I was twenty-three when my mom and dad died and on tour. I’d been home just before my tour started and noticed Dad was acting strangely. Mom talked to me one day, out of desperation I think. He’d got it into his head that Lukia wasn’t his. Absolutely no trigger for it – Mom couldn’t have had an affair, she wouldn’t have had time, besides the fact that she adored my Dad. She was devastated that he would think that and begged him to seek help from a mental health professional. He got angry, stalked out, she followed him…and he crashed the car. We’ll never know if it was intentional.”
He rubbed his eyes. “He was sick, is all. And to proud and too weak to seek help. It wasn’t his fault, it wasn’t my Mom’s fault and it sure as hell wasn’t Lukia’s fault.”
Evan nodded. He could tell Billy was genuine, it was in all of his words, his mannerisms. “You have any ideas who could have done this?”
Billy sighed. “Man…I wish I did.”
“What do you think of Damon Jones?”
Billy rolled his eyes. “Dude can’t take a hint, but he’s harmless.”
Evan sighed. The pain from his beating was beginning to get to him now, and he was tired and hungry. Billy got up and went to the cabinet, grabbing a bottle of aspirin, obviously guessing what Evan was thinking. The Fleming siblings had an uncanny way like that. Billy gave the bottle to Evan, filling a glass of
water. “Dude, why don’t you hunker down here tonight, get some sleep? Get your stuff in the morning. We can order some pizza in if you’re hungry.”
“Already done,” Lukia came back into the kitchen. She smiled at Evan. “I didn’t know if you’re a vegetarian, so I took a risk and got a few different kinds. We’ve got some beers in the cooler. How does that sound?”
And Evan couldn’t think of anything that sounded better.
He woke in the morning, feeling rested and a whole lot better. He saw Lukia had put some towels on the end of his bed and went take a shower in the en-suite. The feeling of the water hitting his sore, still-blood-soaked body was heaven. He shrugged back into his clothes and went downstairs.
Lukia and Billy were in the kitchen, singing along to the radio and Evan watched them for a while, making breakfast, obviously a time that they enjoyed each other’s company. Lukia saw him and grinned. “Hey, you’re up. Did you sleep okay?”
“Like a baby, thanks.” He smiled at her. She looked happier than yesterday, but still, he could see the strain on her beautiful face. She held his gaze a beat too long, and Evan couldn’t help but gaze back at her. God, she was lovely.
“Maurice Winston called Lukia earlier,” Billy said, oblivious to the tension between Eva and his sister. “He’s coming up to see her tomorrow. Went through a whole “God, I’m sorry this happened” spiel but I know men like him. He’ll be looking for an angle to make more money out of this.”
Evan made a disgusted noise. “I’ve heard bad things about him,” he confessed and told them about Bodhi and Sailor. Lukia looked sick.
“God. You don’t think he could have had anything to do with this, do you?”
“The truth is, I don’t know,” Evan said, “But I’ll certainly be asking him a lot of questions.”
“I’m glad you’ll be here with me,” Lukia admitted, “I’ve never liked hm. Look, guys, can I tell you something I’ve been thinking about?”
“Sure, Boo, go for it.”
Lukia looked at her brother, hesitating. “I don’t want to act anymore. I don’t want to be in the public eye. I thought I could do it, but it’s just not me. I want to write. I want to go back to college, get my Master’s degree. I could do it, my name isn’t so well known that in a couple of years no-one will remember.”
“Unlikely,” said Billy skeptically, and Evan agreed silently. No-one who knew Lukia would be able to forget her; she was a magnet. Billy sighed. “But it really is your decision; you know I’ll support you whatever you decide.”
Lukia smiled at him, then turned to Evan, raising her eyebrows, prompting his answer. “It’s really not my business,” he said a little uncomfortably. “I have no idea about that world.” Something pinged in his mind. “But, maybe you could talk to Bodhi. He’s just retired, moved to Italy with Sailor and their kids. He might tell you the pros and cons, although,” and he laughed, “I doubt Bodhi will tell you anything negative. He loves his life now. But, Lukia, he had a full career first. The only advice I can give you is go with your gut.”
Lukia nodded, thoughtfully and Billy smiled. “And with that, kids, I have to go.” He got up and kissed the top of Lukia’s head and clapped Evan on the back. “Glad you’re here, dude, I’ll sleep easier. Stay strong, sis.” And he was gone.
Lukia smiled at Evan. “What are your plans today?”
“Well, I need to go get my stuff, then check in with Teddy. Then, get some work done – hey, is there somewhere I can set up my laptop and work where I won’t be in your way?”
She nodded. “Of course, I’ll show you the study.”
The study was light and airy, with plenty of power points for his computers and phone. “Anything you want, just ask. Help yourself to food, drink, whatever. Actually, look, there’s a mini fridge in here too. I’ll get some water and soda for it.”
Evan had noticed that Lukia loved to look after people and said so. She grinned wryly. “Don’t tell the Sisterhood, but yeah, I’m like my Mom, I like playing house. Sometimes,” she added with a laugh, “I figure it’s the least I could do after Billy looked after me all those years. I am a home body, I have to say. If I didn’t have to leave the house at all, it would suit me fine.”
“Except to go to college,” Evan prompted, and she smiled.
“Except then. Am I crazy to think I can change my life entirely?”
“No,” Evan said, “I think you, Lukia, could do anything you wanted.”
Lukia smiled shyly. “Thank you.” The tension was back between them, and it was all Evan could do not to stroke his hand down her face and take her in his arms. Lukia stepped a little closer, and he caught the fresh, clean scent of her skin.
God, help me…
His arms moved as if he wasn’t in control of them, slid around her waist and pulled her close. Lukia tilted her head up, and he pressed his lips against hers. The kiss was sweet, long and Evan closed his eyes and lost himself in it.
Inside, his professionalism and sense were losing the battle, and when Lukia took his hand and led him up the stairs, Evan pushed every other thought from his mind.
In her bedroom, Lukia pulled her dress over her head in one move, and Evan felt his cock respond to the sight of her beautiful body. Full breasts, small waist, a soft belly that was curved slightly outward…smooth, smooth skin, marred only by the healing wounds from her attack. Evan was lost. As Lukia unbuttoned his shirt, Evan’s hands caressed her breasts, swiftly unclasping her bra, so they feel, plump and soft into his hands. He bent his head to take a nipple into his mouth, heard her gasp, felt her fingers stroking up and down his back.
“God, Lukia,” he groaned, and she pulled him down onto the bed, kicking off her panties, tugging his jeans off, and hitching her legs around his waist.
“Don’t wait, Evan, please, I want you, I need you.” Her whisper, soft but urgent made his cock quiver in its need to be inside her, and when he entered her, they both moaned at the feel of it.
“Lukia, Lukia…” They moved together slowly, tentatively, gazing at the other, trying to figure out how the other was feeling, but soon, they moved in harmony, Evan admiring the way her body undulated beneath him as he thrust deeper and deeper.
Lukia threw her head back and gave a cry as she came, her thighs tightening around his waist. Evan groaned and buried his head in her neck as he reached his peak, his lips against her throat.
For a second, neither said anything, then as Evan met her gaze, Lukia smiled at him with tears in her eyes. She began to laugh, and the sound was so infectious that so did Evan. He lay by her side.
“God, that was so unprofessional.”
“But so worth it,” she kissed him and snuggled into his arms.
“Absolutely worth it, beautiful.” And in his heart, Evan couldn’t feel regretful about what had happened; it had almost seemed inevitable. “Are you okay? I mean, after everything you’ve been through?”
Lukia nodded. “I am, I really am. I know it’s been, what a few days, but I felt a connection to you immediately, Evan. I can’t explain it.”
And Evan understood – this fragile, vulnerable woman in his arms was under his protection, he couldn’t forget that, but there was something so familiar about her as if he’d been waiting for her all his life.
He stroked her hair as she laid her head on his chest. “Lukia, more than anything I want to protect you, so we can’t let whatever is happening between us distract from that.”
“I agree,” she grinned up at him, “No way can I do this if I’m dead.”
Evan winced at the thought. “Don’t say that. That’s not going to happen.”
Lukia kissed him. “I trust you.”
Evan touched his forehead to hers. “Lukia, what happened here…it must stay between us if I’m to protect you. If my superiors knew…”
“It’s just ours,” she said fiercely. “Ours. You and me. We don’t need to tell anyone.”
Evan sighed and stroked her face. “You’re so beautiful it hu
rts,” he said simply, and she pulled a face, crossing her eyes, making him laugh.
“Goofball.”
“You know it.”
Evan glanced at his watch regretfully. It was still before ten a.m. “I really do need to get to work.”
He worked steadily during the morning, placing calls to his field office, getting Roscoe to start some background checks and surveillance on Maurice Winston and Damon Jones. At lunch, Lukia called him to eat, having prepared a salmon salad for them both.
It was light and delicious, and Evan thanked her. She responded by kissing him lightly on the lips. “Thank you. One thing I definitely won’t miss about acting is having to eat air.”
Evan laughed. “Yeah, I could never figure out how you actors stayed so thin. Now I know.”
Lukia grinned. “Life is too short. I’m doing steaks for us tonight, with all the fixings.”
“Damn, that sounds good.”
Later, he went to find her. Lukia was outside on the porch, reading something on her laptop. “Hey, you.”
She looked up and smiled. “Hey, how’s the case going? Maurice is making the most of it, as we thought he might. Asshole.”
She showed him the site she was reading. Evan quickly read through the report, his smile fading. God, Maurice Winston was the worst kind of person, exploiting Lukia’s attack for all it was worth, giving false information, almost reveling in his client’s pain.
“This is probably his revenge for me not doing more banal blockbusters and earning him more money. Think how he’s going to react when I tell him I’m out?” Lukia’s smile was grim “Evan, I think I should do either a press conference or an interview – a final interview, telling the truth, my side. I’ve been thinking – the money I make from the film that’s coming out, I’m going to donate it to an attack crisis charity. If Maurice thinks he’s going to make himself rich at my expense, he’s wrong.”
Evan sat down next to her, considering what she said. “I understand you wanting to get out in front of this. I have some reservations. One, if Maurice did engineer this, then he might react in a way we don’t expect. From what Sailor told me about him, he can get violent.”
Rockstar Untamed: A Single Dad Virgin Romance Page 135
