After the Storm (KGI #8)(92)

She shook her head as she stepped into the shower and let the water work its magic.

Several minutes later, she combed through her wet hair and dressed. She had no makeup and she’d never lamented that fact. Until now. She wanted to look her best for the other women. It was a female thing. No one liked to be compared to a much prettier woman. But then she hadn’t noticed the other women wearing much in the way of makeup. Sarah had light makeup on. Sophie had what looked like mascara and light lip gloss. She couldn’t conjure the memory of whether Shea and Rachel had worn makeup.

Then she laughed at the sheer ridiculousness of her pondering whether Donovan’s sisters-in-law had worn makeup to meet her.

Ah well, perhaps she could order what she needed today. She hated the thought that she was relying on Donovan to supply her and Cammie’s and Travis’s needs. But she was pragmatic enough to know that she had no way of paying for anything. Donovan had insisted that she use his credit card for whatever she wanted. She wouldn’t buy much. Just the necessities. There would be plenty of time later. When she had a firmer grasp of just what their relationship was and would be.

For now? She was happy. And that was enough. Cammie and Travis were happy. Safe. Protected. Shielded. It was all she’d ever ask for. It was enough.

She padded down the hallway, peeking into the room where Cammie and Travis had slept only to find the bed empty. Apparently Eve was the only straggler this morning. Everyone else was up and likely in the kitchen.

She went in search of the others and indeed found them in the kitchen. Cammie and Travis were sitting at the table laughing. Broad smiles were on each face, their eyes glowing with happiness. It was a sight that took Eve’s breath away.

Donovan was in the kitchen. He’d donned an apron and looked frighteningly domestic for a man who was built the way he was. The apron was completely incongruous with what Eve knew him to be. A total badass.

“Ah, Sleeping Beauty awakens,” Donovan said, smiling as he looked up and saw Eve standing in the doorway.

Eve smiled back and then was distracted by Cammie’s squeal of “Evie!”

She walked to where her sister sat at the table, nearly bouncing in her excitement. What a difference a few days had made in her health. She was back to normal. Her face no longer carried the strain of illness. Her eyes were not as haunted. She looked and acted just as a four-year-old should. Happy and carefree.

Tears burned the edges of Eve’s eyes and she hastily blinked them away, not wanting to upset Cammie or Travis. Not when there was absolutely nothing wrong. Indeed, everything was exactly . . . right.

She glanced up to see Donovan discreetly motioning her to come to him. After brushing a kiss over Cammie’s forehead and ruffling Travis’s hair on her way by, she went into the kitchen, where Donovan was plating pancakes and bacon.

“You’re going to have them spoiled,” Eve said in amusement.

“Nah,” Donovan refuted. “Besides, I like spoiling them.”

She smiled, delighted by his words—and actions.

He lowered his voice, turning so Cammie and Travis wouldn’t hear.

“I know I said I’d keep Travis with me today so you and Cammie could go over to visit with my sisters-in-law and have girl time, but I need him to go with you after all.”

Eve’s forehead wrinkled in concern as she took in the seriousness of his tone. “Is everything okay?”

He touched her arm, squeezing lightly in reassurance. “Everything is fine. It’s just that my brothers and one of the teams are meeting with me here today to go over your situation. I’d rather Travis not hear. I don’t want to upset him.”

Eve frowned, glancing toward her siblings and then back at Donovan. “I understand not wanting to upset Cammie and Travis, but shouldn’t I be here when you discuss your plan of action? This directly involves me—and them. I want to know what you have planned.”

He pulled her into his arms, cocking her head back so she could look at him. His arms were wrapped firmly around her waist, anchoring her to his body.

“I want you to put it all out of your mind. I don’t want you to worry about anything. The only thing I want you to focus on is having a fun day with my sisters-in-law and getting what you and Cammie and Travis need. Leave this to me, Eve. I don’t even want it on your mind. Okay?”

She wanted to argue, but knew he had a point. Though she knew his command for her to keep her mind off it was pointless. How could she be thinking about anything else? Travis and Cammie needed her to be strong. They needed her not to show fear and to display confidence in Donovan’s ability to handle Walt and any other complication that arose. But at the same time, such blind faith made her uneasy. Even as she knew she could trust Donovan. She did trust him. But she was terrified of her stepfather and his control. His reach. His influence and power. And it chafed her not to somehow be a part in whatever plan Donovan had hatched. Knowledge was power. Uncertainty just bred more fear, and she’d lived with fear for far too long.

Donovan pressed a kiss to her forehead. “Trust me, Eve. Let me handle this. I won’t let him hurt you or Travis or Cammie. Especially Cammie.”

She sighed reluctantly but nodded her agreement.

“You’ll tell me after?” she asked in a low voice. “Later?”

He stared intently into her eyes, his own blazing with sincerity. “Of course, Eve. I won’t keep anything from you. No secrets. I want you to trust me. Can you do that?”