The Scarlett Legacy (Woodland Creek)(19)

“Right,” Nina said. She cleared her throat and looked to Evie before glanced around the store to see that it was practically empty. “You can leave, Evie. There’re only about five minutes left in your shift.”

“Thanks,” Evie said, wishing Parker would hurry and get her out of that awkward encounter.

“Have fun.”

She didn’t have to tell Evie twice. She clocked out on the cash register, grabbed her purse and headed out the front door while Avalon stood there watching her.

“Good to see you, Avalon. Enjoy your day.” She quickly held the door open, hoping to escape before he could offer to take her out again.

“You haven’t spoken to your brother yet, have you?”

Evie paused. Something about that statement made her uneasy. She looked over her shoulder.

“About what?”

Avalon walked from the register and out the door she held open. Standing before her, he cracked a grin.

He reached out and brushed her cheek with his thumb. “God, you’re beautiful.”

She cleared her throat, trying to keep her cheeks from flushing.

“I’ll let him tell you,” he said, his minty breath warm on her ear as he leaned over to whisper. “It’ll be much more fun that way.”

Evie didn’t know what to say. Having him near made her feel lightheaded. The attraction she felt was dangerous. It could ruin everything.

As if he had read her mind, his grin widened. That’s when she realized that he did read her mind.

So much for hiding my thoughts.

He chuckled, rubbing his chin as his green eyes took her in once more.

She watched him turn to walk away, her cheeks turning pink with embarrassment for having her thoughts read.

“I’ll be waiting,” he said without turning to look back at her.

She watched as he crossed paths with Parker.

“How odd,” she whispered to herself as Avalon strolled down the street, his hands in his pocket as he seemed to window-shop.

He glanced back at her, giving her a wink.

Parker broke her gaze as he stopped in front of her. He smiled and waved his hands before her eyes.

“Ready, babe?”

Evie nodded, but inside she shook with fear.

What she saw in Avalon’s eyes made her blood turn cold with dread. There was a pain, lust, and cruelty in his eyes. Only someone with her power would even notice.

She quickly sent a text to Wes, questioning what Avalon had told her.

His return text came back almost as if he’d been waiting for her to ask him.

As she read the words on her phone’s screen, her face paled.

Stay away from Avalon. He is dangerous. I’ll tell you more when you come home.

Evie put her phone in her purse as she looked up at Parker. Normally he could calm her in any situation, but Wes’ text left her rattled. She wrapped her arms around his waist and held onto him tightly.

She was afraid.

What Wes had said confirmed her fears. She was sure of it now.

Avalon was going to seriously complicate things.





“HONEY,” OLIVIA CALLED.

Wes opened his eyes to her beautiful face. Sunlight spilled into his bedroom from the balcony doors behind Olivia.

Her brows were furrowed in a look of concern, and that’s when he realized that what had happened the night before wasn’t a dream.

Avalon had beat him before he could even defend himself. The toll on his pride was bruised almost as much as his body.

“What happened to you?” She ran her fingers along his back and he rolled over so that she couldn’t see them. It stung like hell to put pressure on the bruises, but he’d rather hide them than have her see him so defeated.

“We have a problem,” he said, covering his eyes with his hands. Even his arms hurt. Just lifting them made him wince with pain.

“Tell me,” she said.

He removed his hands from his eyes to see arms crossed over her chest.

“Don’t keep this from me, Wes. What happened when I went to sleep last night? Did you get into a fight?”

Wes frowned. “I wish.”

He tried to sit up but the pain kept him down. His head hit his plush down pillow and he wanted nothing more than to go back to sleep. The look on his wife’s face prevented him from drifting back to sleep. She deserved answers.

“Tell me what happened!”

Wes avoided her eyes. He stared at the ceiling. “I wouldn’t even call what happened last night fair.”

“Wes, stop stalling.”

Wes took a deep breath and propped himself up so that his back rested against his headboard. He put a hand over Olivia’s.

“Hugh’s youngest son has returned.”

“What?” Olivia sat next to him on the bed.

“Yes. Avalon Prince is back, he knows I killed his father.”

Olivia stared off for a moment, her mouth open with shock. “I can’t believe it.” She shook her head before glancing at him. “What does he want?”

“My sister.” It hurt Wes’ heart to think of bringing Evie into this, but the fact was that she was a part of this the moment Avalon laid eyes on her. Maybe he should have encouraged her to go to school abroad. Anything would have been better than having her in this mess.

“What does he want with Evie?”