A Little Harmless Obsession

by Melissa Schroeder

Micah rolled his eyes and slipped through the door. “Chambers made me promise to follow you home.”

  She shut the door and locked it. “I don’t know why he would be worried.”

  One eyebrow rose.

  She cast her eyes heavenwards. “I haven’t had a problem in a few weeks. Why Evan would worry is beyond me.”

  She turned and headed to the office. She had to finish the receipts before going home and collapsing into bed to stare at the ceiling. Day two of her separation from Evan had taught her one thing—she needed him. She wanted him so badly beside her she couldn’t sleep and was going through the motions at work. She’d been short-tempered and nasty toward everyone, including her grandfather.

  She sat behind the desk, the paperwork for the day lying in front of her. This usually took her about fifteen minutes at most, but she had already been at it for twenty. With the big bad alpha staring at her while she did it, she didn’t know how much longer it would take.

  “Evan is in worse shape than you are.”

  She shot him a look. Micah laughed and held up his hands palms out. “Hey, don’t be aiming those killer looks in my direction. I’m not the one who fucked it up.”

  “Evan didn’t fuck it up.”

  He crossed his ankle over his knee. “Sure, he did. If not, you wouldn’t be here by yourself.”

  She tried to concentrate on her work, but the man just kept staring at her.

  She glanced up. “What?”

  He smiled. “Nothing. Just trying to discern if you’re a superwoman or not?”

  She frowned. “What the hell do you mean by that?”

  “I always thought the woman who brought Evan Chambers to his knees would be a superhero of some kind.”

  “I didn’t bring him to his knees.”

  He nodded. “The man is going to have calluses on his knees before you’re done with him.”

  “You’ve known him a long time?”

  “Since our first lock-up in juvie.”

  Her eyes widened. “Juvie? Like in juvenile detention?”

  His smile faded. “Yeah, but I always thought those words too clean for what it truly is.”

  “Did he have something happen to him there? Something that hurt?”

  He narrowed his eyes. “Nothing good comes of spending time in juvie.”

  “He…”

  She wanted to ask Micah, knew there was a good chance that Evan had shared things with him and Chris that he would never tell her. It felt wrong though, as if she was going behind his back…which she was. Chris and Cynthia would be back tomorrow with Jocelyn in tow, but she didn’t need to bother her friend with the problems they were facing now.

  “What?” Micah asked.

  She hesitated, then said, “He had a really bad dream the other night.”

  Micah nodded. “Yeah, I expected that.”

  “You know what happened to him.”

  He nodded.

  “But you won’t tell me?”

  “I can’t. I think he needs to. I’ll say it’s worse than you can imagine, but it made him the man he is today, in more ways than one.”

  “I—” She shook her head. “I really don’t know what to do.”

  Micah studied her for a long second, then said, “Don’t turn away from him. He’s working through a shitload of bad memories. Being with you probably agitated them.”

  “Then—”

  “No. I’m not saying that to discourage you. Just know that some of the things Evan dealt with as a child are beyond what most adults could handle. He lived through it, survived, but he never really dealt with it. He needs you to help him through all the emotions that are churning. If you turn away from him right now, he might never be able to overcome his issues.”

  “He won’t let me help.”

  “He will, you just have to crack that hard head of his. He needs someone who will stand up for him, to him…he needs you.”

  His grave voice, the sincerity in his eyes caused a lump to rise in her throat. This was a man who loved Evan like a brother…could he be right?

  “You’re going to have to have more guts than most women I know, because the man is a mess, but if he has a chance of working through it, it’s with you. In all the years I’ve known him, he’s never let a woman close…until you.”

  The silence lengthened and May felt tears sting the backs of her eyes.

  He scrubbed his hand over his face. “Jesus, I do sound like Dr. Phil.”

  She laughed. “Evan says that about Chris.”

  “Why don’t you finish up what you’re doing so I can follow you home?”

  Less than half an hour later she was on her way to Hawaii Kai with Micah following her. She’d not expected the classic black vette, but then, she didn’t know why not. Maybe because Evan always drove trucks. The streets were slick with a recent shower, but mostly empty since it was nearing two in the morning. This area wasn’t a busy place for tourists. They stayed down near Waikiki and the nightclubs and hotels. Her phone vibrated on the passenger seat and she noticed Evan’s number. She grabbed it and clicked it on.

  “Where are you?”

  “And hello to you.”

  “Don’t be an ass, where are you?”

  “I’m on my way home with Micah right behind me.”

  His sigh was barely audible, but the sense of relief she heard warmed her heart. She knew he cared for her, but she realized that he had trouble showing it. Usually, like tonight, he cast orders around, telling her and anyone in the vicinity of her what to do. It was his way of showing concern.

  “You could have come yourself.”

  “No. You said you needed time.”

  Yeah, and that had been stupid. “It didn’t mean you couldn’t come by.”

  “It does if you aren’t going to let me touch you.”

  “We don’t have sex every time we see each other.”

  “If I touch you, there is no doubt. We will.” Each word was bit out. The irritation in his voice made her smile. Had she thought this man cold? Jesus, he was anything but. A cold, hard exterior, yes, but there was something gooey beneath.

  “I wouldn’t mind that.”

  Her quiet words were met with silence. “Are you sure?”

  She didn’t hesitate. “Yes.”

  Lights flashed in her mirror and she realized an SUV was next to Micah. He sped up, apparently not wanting to let the vehicle between them. She glanced away to look in front of her, then she heard the sound of metal against metal. She looked up in her mirror again and saw the SUV shove Micah’s vette to the curb. She watched in horror as the vette flew over it and into a wall, the front end of his vehicle collapsing under the force of the impact.

  “Oh my God!”

  “What?” Evan yelled.

  “An SUV just forced Micah off the road.”

  “What is it doing now?”

  The SUV was speeding toward her back bumper, intent on going after her.

  “Fuck.”

  “May, I’m on my way. Where are you?”

  “I just passed Kahala Mall.”

  “Sit tight.”

  She could say nothing as she watched the SUV come up beside her. Before she could hit her brakes, it swerved, into her side. She finally slammed on her brakes, but it was too late, she was spinning out of control. The dizzying rays of light flashed before her eyes and her stomach threatened revolt. She dropped the phone, Evan’s voice yelling at her as it turned off.

  She hit the curb and slammed into the guardrail. Thankfully, they had not been on a long stretch of highway with no shoulder and just cliffs and water below. Her head hit the airbag as it deployed. Her head was fuzzy, she couldn’t seem to gather her thoughts. The need to get away, to escape had her turning the ignition. Of course, it didn’t start with the air bag deployed. Someone tapped the window and she whipped around to find herself staring down the barrel of a gun.

  Evan raced through the streets, cursing himself for not being there. He had thought Micah would be eno
ugh to keep someone from her, that once they saw his friend, whoever it was would go on their merry way as they had for weeks. But he had been wrong…horribly wrong.

  The terror he heard in her voice still rang in his ears. He tried calling a couple of times, but it had rang and rang,

  He called 911 as he broke laws to get to her. He just hoped his major fuck-up didn’t cost him the one thing he needed to survive.

  May opened the door and Lee wrapped her hand around her upper arm and pulled her from the car. Sharp bright pain radiated from her lower arm and she found herself unable to move it.

  “You have been a real pain in the ass, you know?”

  May stumbled forward. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

  Lee looked around, apparently trying to see if anyone was watching them. Unless Evan called someone closer, there would be no one for a few moments.

  The smaller woman slammed May against the car, releasing her arm. Damn, she was little but apparently had hands of steel.

  “You fired me from a job, bitch.”

  “You were stealing.”

  Lee shrugged. “I did it at other jobs.”

  “So we should just let you get away with it? This is what all of the letters, the pictures, the pain you caused me is about? Some fucking job? Your father has more money than God. You don’t even have to work.”

  “You fired me. Worse, you kept me from getting involved with the boss.”

  Her brain was still scrambled from the wreck. Was Lee actually saying she stalked her for weeks because she fired her? From a waitressing job? “Jesus. I can’t believe you’re standing here threatening to kill me because I fired you and Chris wanted nothing to do with your skanky ass.”

  “Shut the fuck up.”

  The gun wavered slightly and Lee looked around again.

  “You must have one sad, pathetic life if you have turned to stalking someone who fired you.”

  “He moaned your name!”

  May’s brain apparently didn’t function in the way crazy ass stalker’s brains did because this conversation was making little sense.

  “Chris moaned my name?”

  Lee’s eyes narrowed. “Evan. The last time we were having sex, he moaned your name then he fucking dumped me. You’d fired me, kept me from hooking up with the boss, then my lover, my lover, said your name as he came.”

  For a moment, she let that knowledge sink in, warm her. Even before they’d slept together he had wanted her. He had said that, but she hadn’t been so sure about it. May couldn’t stop the smile that curved her lips.

  “You were always such a goody-two-shoes bitch. You could never give him what he needed, not like I could. He needs someone like me.”

  “Evan doesn’t want you.”

  “Shut up!” The gun wavered again and Lee’s breathing became more erratic. “It wasn’t until I had him, until I knew he was like me, that I knew Evan was for me.”

  “Apparently not, because he’s been with me for the last month.”

  “Shut up!”

  May knew that angering Lee would be the only chance she had. If she lost control, May might be able to overcome the crazy bitch. Micah hadn’t made it out of the mangled car. It was really deserted at the moment, so she didn’t think she would have help until Evan arrived. If he’d been at his house, he was still at least five minutes away.

  May knew she needed to distract her. Lee had a bad temper and usually acted without thinking. There was a good chance she would attack physically, not with the gun. “He didn’t stay around with you. He came to me, became my lover. In fact, we’ve lasted longer than you two did.” May shook her head. “And he doesn’t call out your name when we’re making love.”

  The statement had the effect May wanted. Lee flew toward her with a scream. Apparently forgetting that she had a gun, she knocked May to the ground. Anger welled up. The pain and worry this woman had caused her, her family, her friends, Evan over such petty things. All of them had worried, agonized over the letters, the things being done to her. All because this woman and her fucking pride. May used that anger and a good dose of fear and shoved the palm of her hand against Lee’s nose. She heard the crack of bone, then felt warm liquid wet her hand.

  “You bitch! You broke my nose.”

  May used the distraction to shove at the smaller woman and try and pin her to the ground. But anger was nothing against crazy rage. Lee slammed the gun against May’s temple with such force her world spun, and she felt a warm trickle of blood dripping down her face. Lee used her momentary lapse to force herself up and over May.

  Lee punched May in the face, the full force of it threatening May’s stomach. Another hit, another smack, and May felt the world spin and then start to fall away. The screech of tires barely reached her, but the sounds of sirens screamed through her senses as Lee battered at her. Then, mercifully it stopped, and her weight was lifted away from May’s chest. The scream was filled with rage and fear.

  “Leave me alone, you asshole,” Lee screeched.

  “We’ll take it from here, Chambers.”

  May tried to open her eyes, but they were too heavy.

  “May?”

  Even over the sirens and Lee’s screaming, May heard him. She used all her strength to open her eyes. Red and blue lights flashed and people were tossing orders around.

  “Evan.” She whimpered because her own voice sounded like a bullhorn in her head.

  He kneeled beside her. “Shhh, baby, just rest. The ambulance is on the way.”

  “Micah…”

  “There are people with him.”

  “Sir, you have to move.”

  Evan brushed a lock of hair away from her face. “I’ll be here. Your father and brother are on the way. But I’ll be there at the hospital.”

  “Sir, move it, or I’ll get one of the officers to help you move.”

  He did as ordered, then a woman’s face came into view. “Ms. Aiona? Can you hear me?”

  “Yes.”

  “Do you know if you have anything broken?”

  “Not sure. I broke her nose.”

  The woman chuckled. “Good girl. Now we’re going to get you on a gurney and get you to the hospital.”

  Everything seemed to be dimming, the lights and sounds. Black crowded her vision.

  “Ms. Aiona!”

  “May!”

  She couldn’t fight the pain anymore and felt herself drift away.

  Chapter Nineteen

  Evan paced the emergency room, his anger and fear still churning his stomach. They had been here for an hour. It felt like days. If anything happened to her, he didn’t know what he would do.

  “Take a seat, Evan.”

  He looked over at May’s father who sat patiently waiting to be called back to see his daughter. His calm behavior grated on Evan’s raw nerves.

  “I can’t. If I had been just a minute later…”

  “But you weren’t. You made it there in time. And the doctors seem to think the worst thing she has is a concussion.”

  Evan shook his head. “You say that like it’s no big deal.”

  “I’ve been through worse.”

  “Really? How is that? What would be worse than losing your daughter?”

  May’s brother broke in. “I’m going to get us some coffee. I have a feeling we might need it.”

  Once Kai left, Daniel looked at Evan, his face appearing older than Evan had ever seen it. Now he looked all of his fifty-five years.

  “I’ve been here, you know? Thirteen years ago, I stood where you are, trying to tell myself if I had done something, if I had been driving her home from work, she’d be alive.”

  Evan knew he spoke of Kayla, his wife.

  “I never thought…”

  “I understand your feelings. You love her, I can see it in your reaction, but I knew the first time I saw you together. You look at her the same way I’m sure I looked at Kayla. She was my lifeline in the world, the one person who could make everything righ
t. Losing her ripped me apart.”

  “How did you handle it?” Evan asked.

  “Day by day.” He smiled at Evan’s snort. “Trite but true. The worst thing is knowing there was nothing I could have done. If it had been me at the wheel, we would have both been gone, leaving the kids alone. Oh, they would have had their grandfather, but they needed me. There are too many things we can’t control. What if I had driven home? What if the driver who’d been picked up three times in two months for drunk driving had his license taken away or had been in jail? Life is full of what ifs. If you worry about them—and what you can’t do to change them—your life will mean nothing.”

  “It’s because of me that she went through this.”

  Her father shook his head. “You terrorized her, defiled her car, ran her off the road and pistol whipped her?”

  Evan tossed him a nasty look. “You know what I mean.”

  “We have no idea what was going on in that woman’s mind. But I will smack you upside the head if you use this to pull away from May.”

  Before he could answer Daniel, the doctor came in. “Mr. Aiona, May is awake. I thought you and your son would like to see her.”

  “She’ll want to see Evan.”

  The doctor glanced at him. “Husband?”

  Evan shook his head.

  “I’m sorry, but she’s in ICU right now. I can’t let anyone but family in there.”

  “But he’s family…or will be.”

  Evan shot May’s father a surprised look who winked at him.

  “Oh, a fiancé?” The doctor studied him and then said, “I think I might be able to bend the rules.”

  Kai caught them before they got to the ICU doors. He gave them all their coffees. The doctor frowned at Kai because of the two person limit, but he let it go.

  “Now I want you all to understand that she looks worse than it really is. The swelling is bad, but that happens with things like this. The bruising is worse, but thankfully she has no broken bones in her face. Her arm is broken, but that is easier to heal than facial fractures.”

  Even with the doctor’s warning, Evan was not prepared for the sight of her bruised appearance. Her eyes were so swollen, Evan had doubts she would be able to open them any time soon. An explosion of purple and yellow bruises marred her skin and her face was misshapen.