Evelyn
It is finally Monday.
Orion, Thaddeus, and Ryland left Sunday night to go God knows where and I didn’t even ask, knowing their absence gives me a gate to leave for a few hours. Thaddeus said they would be back Tuesday from wherever they are going.
Getting up early, I quickly get dressed and head to the garage. I manage to find Thaddeus’ car keys in his car. Like seriously, that’s just asking for it to be stolen. Not that anyone would find this place anyway; I only know which direction to drive. I rely on the fact that eventually, I will come across a sign indicating which way to go. I know, for a fact, Leven is halfway because we stopped there on the way here from his parents’ house for gas.
Getting in the car, I carefully reverse it out, groaning when I see the tire marks. I will have to rake the grass when I get home; I know they won’t miss that with their eagle eyes.
It takes me over an hour and a half to arrive at the first gas station and I put gas in the car. It takes me ten minutes to figure out how to pop the fuel cap, but eventually, I figure it out, fill up, and head to the park.
When I get there, I am early, and I can’t help but watch the time on my phone.
As soon as I spot April’s Volkswagen pull in, I walk over to her car and open Lana’s passenger door. Lana squeals excitedly, wrapping her arms around me, hugging me tight, and I hug her back.
April gets out. She looks tired, but smiles softly at me, which I think is odd considering her parting words the last time I spoke to her. She walks over, wraps an arm around my shoulder, and I figure she is just playing nice because Lana is present.
“I’m sorry about last time, Evelyn. I shouldn’t have said what I said. I am tired and haven’t been sleeping well. I know the fire wasn’t your fault,” she says, and I nod as Lana starts pulling me toward the swings.
We both sit on the swings, and April sits over at the table and chairs, reading a book while keeping a close eye on us. We speak about her new school, her grades; Lana has even got an after-school job at the local deli for a few hours a day.
Around lunchtime, I am about to suggest we go to a café I drove past on the way to the park when April tells me she has made a picnic basket. We sit on the grass on a rug and eat.
“So, where are you living now, Evelyn?” asks April.
“Not far from here; I don’t know the suburb’s name,” I answer vaguely, remembering what Ryland said about not telling anyone.
April nods, realizing I’m not going to answer. To distract her, I ask a question of my own. “How is work? Obviously, you’re not working at Parse hospital anymore?”
“Yeah, we moved for work. I work at a doctor’s surgical office now,” she answers. “You will have to visit the new house; you will love it. Right near a reserve, so peaceful out there,” she states, giving me a warm smile.
“So those men you were with, who are they? They look familiar,” Lana suddenly asks.
To be honest, I don’t like this line of questioning, but I don’t get a chance to answer when their eyes dart behind me.
“Her mates,” his deep voice sounds directly behind me, and I feel the blood drain from my face. His words sound normal, yet I can hear the anger they are laced with, having grown accustomed to their different tones. “Hi, I am Ryland,” he says, holding his hand for April to shake.
She nervously shakes his hand, and I can see the terror in her eyes. Ryland is a very intimidating man. Even if they weren’t my mates, I would run at the first sight of them. April looks at Lana and smiles, but I notice the tremble of her bottom lip.
“Well, we better be off; you will have to come to visit soon, Evelyn. I have an early shift, and need to get back before dark,” she says.
I help her pack everything up, delaying when I have to deal with Ryland’s wrath that I can feel festering through the bond. Walking Lana to the car, I can feel Ryland’s eyes, watching my every move. Dread fills me. How did they know where I went, and why are they home early?
“Oh, Evelyn, I tried calling you earlier. Is something wrong with your phone?” Lana asks when she winds the window down.
“Sometimes I don’t get reception,” I tell her.
April leans across Lana to speak to me. “We can come to see you next Friday if you like. We can meet here again. I have next Friday off,” she tells me, and I nod.
“Okay, sounds good.”
“I will call you,” Lana states as she eyes Ryland behind me.
“Nice to meet you,” he says, waving to her, and she smiles nervously and waves back.
I watch as they pull out and drive off. Nausea rolls over me as I turn to face Ryland. His expression alone makes me want to run. “You’re back early?” I announce.
He glares at me, taking a step forward, and I take two back, about to run, but he pounces on me as soon as I turn to run. His arms wrap around my waist, and he rips me toward him. “Do you have any idea how much trouble you are in when we get home?” he growls; his voice sends goosebumps all over me.
Ryland reaches into my back pocket, pulls out Thaddeus’ keys and lets me go. “Get in the fucking car, Evelyn!” he yells at me, making me flinch.
“No. I am not going anywhere with you when you are this angry,” I stutter out, stepping away from him.
His eyes turn pitch black as he steps forward and grabs my arm roughly, walking me to the passenger side. He rips the door open and pushes me in, slamming the door. Then, he walks around to the driver’s side. Ryland starts the car and tears out of the parking spot, driving alarmingly fast; so fast he is passing other cars like they are standing still.
“I can’t believe you would be so stupid to leave without telling us. And you thought you would get away with it?” he says, taking his eyes off the road and looking at me.
“I didn’t tell them where you lived, okay? Geez, I don’t see the big deal, and April is nice,” I tell him.