Forsaking All Others Read online

  “Stay here.”

  His voice was soft, but authoritative. She opened her mouth to protest, but he gave a single shake of the head, his eyes focused, almost predatory. Her argument died on her lips as she nodded her head and drew her legs up to her chest, unsure of what to do next. Evan made his way to the bedroom door, his footsteps nonexistent, his body poised to strike. He opened the door with a painstakingly slow pace as he slowly exited the bedroom, closing the door silently behind him. She eased her body down to the floor, doing her best to mimic his movements to minimize the sounds her body made on the wood floors. It was there she waited, her heart hammering in her chest as she waited for him to return. After what seemed like an eternity, she scooted closer to the door, her mind fearing the worst.

  Why hadn’t he returned? Did something happen?

  She did her best to control her breathing as her hand reached for the doorknob and jumped when it suddenly opened. Evan walked inside, his brow deeply furrowed. His hand was at his waist and it was only then she noticed the shiny black handle of the handgun in his right hand. Before she could speak, he grabbed her hand and whispered softly to her.

  “I need you to tell me if there is something out of place. Stay close.”

  He walked with her pinned to his side. He made his way through the house then stopped.

  “I’m certain that someone was in here—I can smell him, but why he was here, I still don’t know.” He gestured to the living area with his chin. “Anything missing or seem out of place to you?”

  Julianna scanned the living room, squinting her eyes in deep concentration as she slowly took in the furniture, looking for any signs of tampering. Before she spoke, she heard his voice from behind her.

  “There. Those pillows. You don’t put them like that.”

  Her eyes followed his to the decorative pillows on her couch. At first glance, they seemed fine, but upon deeper inspection, two of the pillows had been placed backwards.

  She raised her brows, impressed, as she turned around. “You didn’t need my help at all, Ev.”

  He grunted. “I wanted to keep you close.”

  She would spend a lifetime trying to figure this man out. “You could have just asked.”

  “I thought I did?”

  She made her way into the kitchen, Evan following silently beside her. A soft sound caused him to raise his gun, his muscles taut, as he pulled her close. He waited, his brow creased in deep concentration before he relaxed slightly; it was the sound of rain outside hitting the roof.

  Julianna’s alarm returned as she stared at the shiny black metal in his hand. “You have a gun? When were you going to tell me?”

  Evan shrugged, his eyes continuing to scan their surroundings. “Julianna, I carry a gun.”

  His voice was flat and direct as he continued to scan their surroundings. Julianna opened her mouth to speak, but instead stared at him, incredulous. There was definitely much more to Evan than he had shared.

  “You know, I think that’s something you should have disclosed beforehand.”

  Evan’s focus wavered for a second as he glanced at her. “What, you don’t trust me?”

  He finished with a smirk which caused her to shake her head in disbelief. She was about to say more when he finally raised his hand in silence.

  “What’s that?”

  On the fridge was a handwritten note. Evan snatched it from the fridge and handed it to her, a deep scowl forming on his face.

  Finders Keepers.

  “Fuck.”

  Evan raked his hand through his hair as he paced the length of the kitchen, his anger nearly palpable as he muttered under his breath in Norwegian.

  Her hands shook as she glanced up at him. Only Devon would pull something as twisted as this.

  “He found me. How?!”

  Her heart hammed in her chest as Evan finally stopped pacing and stood in front of the kitchen sink, his hands gripping the sides.

  “The fucker is playing games now. God knows how long he’s known where you’ve lived. The way he was in and out of here proves he has been studying the place. He wants to scare you.”

  He cursed again under his breath before he finally turned to her.

  “It always escalates, Julianna. It’s not safe for you here.”

  “What?”

  “I’m getting you out of here. Now.”

  “Evan.”

  “That wasn’t a question. Pack a bag. We leave in half an hour.”

  She stood firmly where she was and stared up at him, her expression defiant. Evan glared down at her, refusing to say more as his eyes challenged hers. When she realized that he wasn’t going to provide more of an explanation, she threw up her hands and walked into her bedroom, Evan following silently behind her, his eyes on high alert.

  “I don’t like running away from him. It’ll make him feel like he won.”

  Although she grumbled, she continued to search through her drawers for clothes, cursing to herself. She glanced up at Evan, waiting for his response, but he continued to stand there with his back turned to her, unmoving. She groaned and threw a pillow at him, which he dodged.

  “Damn it, say something, Evan.”

  It was then he finally turned to her with a sigh.

  “You’re not running.” He raised his hand to silence her as she opened her mouth to protest before he continued, “He thinks that this is a game. Let him play it by himself.”

  “Evan—”

  “I don’t trust him, Julianna. Who shows up in someone’s house just to leave a fucking note? How deluded is that? You don’t think he wouldn’t keep escalating at this point?”

  She folded her arms across her chest.

  “I don’t think you would have allowed him to make it into the bedroom.”

  “I wouldn’t have. He would have been severely injured…or killed.”

  He added the last part ominously as he continued to stare at her, obviously wanting her to pack faster.

  She did a final sweep of the house. He stopped her.

  “All you really need are the necessities. I have everything else.” He peered down at her bag. “I doubt you need all of those clothes.”

  She rolled her eyes at his grin. He shouldered her bag and made his way out of the house, with her following closely behind him.

  Evan’s mouth formed a grim line as he ushered Julianna into his home. This wasn’t good. At all. Although nothing had happened this time, he knew that things would only continue to worsen. Something about that man put him on edge and it wasn’t because of his arrogance. There was an inherent…coldness and detachment about Devon that unsettled Evan every time he even thought about him. It was those same qualities he had seen time and time again when he had to face many unsavory characters in his past. It did the world a favor to rid it from men like them. Now, he was seeing it all over again. At first, he had believed much of his sense of foreboding just had to do with keeping Julianna safe, but there was still more. There was something about Devon that made him wonder about the true extent of his character. He would have to do some digging with his brother to find out more about him. Men like him always had a past. It may be well-hidden or interwoven with other atrocities, but he knew where to find it. He knew where to look. He had dealt with Devon’s kind one too many times. His muscles immediately relaxed when Julianna placed her hand on his arm, gazing up at him.

  “I take it you didn’t hear anything I said?”

  He grinned sheepishly. “Sorry, love. I didn’t.”

  Julianna wrapped her arms around his torso. His arms instinctively brought her closer as she placed her head against his chest.

  “I wanted to know what’s on your mind. You’re wound up so tight.”

  Before he could answer, the door opened and Hudson walked inside, a backpack over his shoulder and a deep scowl on his face.

  “Lillebror. We have to talk. Now.”

  He said nothing else as he continued into the living room, the scowl on his face deepening
. He did, however, send a curt nod towards Julianna before he disappeared into the living room.

  “Lillebror?”

  The corner of Evan’s mouth lifted at Julianna’s attempt at speaking his native language. Although it was only one word, it was damned sexy. He would have to show her how much later on.

  He nodded. “Little brother. Something’s wrong.” He stared off toward his older brother. Something was bothering Hudson, and he knew he wasn’t going to enjoy the conversation that the two of them were about to have. He returned his gaze to Julianna before he rubbed her arm.

  “Why don’t you make yourself comfortable? Hudson and I have some things to discuss. Call me if you need me.”

  “Is it about Devon?”

  “I don’t know. Most likely. Yes.”

  Julianna stared up at him for a few moments, her brow furrowed, before she nodded her head and turned away. He waited for her to disappear into his bedroom before he returned his attention to his brother. He made his way into the living room and sat down next to Hudson, who was already typing furiously on his laptop in front of him.

  “If I had known Julianna was here, I would have at least knocked.”

  Evan shrugged. “It’s no big deal. What do you have to tell me?”

  Hudson grunted, another scowl settling in on his face. “This Devon. Who the fuck is he and what does he want?”

  Evan reclined in his seat and crossed his arms. He had told his brother about the situation before, so he knew Hudson was asking about more than an overview.

  “What happened?”

  Hudson raked a hand over his face. “Remember Austweitz?”

  Evan immediately bristled. That man had brought nothing but terror upon his and his brother’s lives in the past. It was a pleasure the day he had single-handedly ended the man’s life with a bullet between his eyes. Despite the rage bubbling within him at the memories, Evan maintained a cool exterior as he nodded.

  “There was a man following me today.”

  Evan sat forward.

  “At first, I didn’t want to believe it, but it was obvious. He didn’t think so, but it was.” Hudson’s scowl deepened. “I finally approached him and kindly asked why he was following me. What he wanted.”

  If he knew his brother at all, the man was lucky to even walk away without some serious injury. His mirth was short-lived after his brother continued.

  “He said a man named Devon wanted him to follow me. Follow us.” Hudson cracked his knuckles before he glanced in the direction of Evan’s bedroom to where Julianna had retreated.

  “Before I took care of him, he mentioned Austweitz. By name. Devon is digging, lillebror.”

  “Shit.”

  Evan clenched his jaw as he got up and paced the room. In the past, he and Hudson had been meticulous in keeping certain details of their lives hidden. If anyone knew about something as personal as Austweitz, then they knew exactly where to look. And it wasn’t easy to find.

  “Which brings me to my original question. Who is Devon, and what the fuck does he want, Evan?”

  “Julianna.”

  “Who does he work with?”

  Evan shrugged his shoulders, his gut twisting in response. It was clear that Devon wanted complete control over Julianna, but it seemed like he was out for more. He wasn’t sure where the man was getting all of this information, but he was certain of the fact he had to have been working with someone highly skilled to retrieve such information.

  That, or someone who knows us. Personally.

  He made eye contact with Hudson, who also seemed to be deep in thought. He doubted it. Everyone close to them was dead. He closed his eyes and sighed, forcing his mind to think. Austweitz had taken away every sense of stability he and Hudson had ever known at a young age. It had all been a distant memory until now. All because of a prick who just didn’t understand how to let go. Evan balled his hands into fists before releasing a calming breath. He glanced over at Hudson, who was now slowly pacing the length of the living room, his footsteps barely audible as he walked.

  “How much does Julianna know?”

  Evan’s jaw twitched.

  “Not this. Not any of it.”

  “Tell her.”

  Hudson walked off in the direction of the kitchen but paused and turned to face his brother. “Make it come from you before he tries to fill her head with lies. Trust me.”

  He turned and disappeared into the kitchen without another word. Evan watched his brother walk through the kitchen to make himself something to eat. Yes, he definitely could trust his brother. He had always been the one to steer him clear of anything from physical danger to emotional heartbreak. Hudson was all that he had. Plus, he wouldn’t put anything past this man. It seemed as if manipulation and facades were how Devon got people to do his bidding. He allowed his gaze to drift towards the bedroom, to where he was sure Julianna had now fallen asleep in his bed. A tightness settled in his chest, as if squeezing his heart, as he thought of her. He loved her far too much to allow anything or anyone to get in the way of his relationship with her. Especially not Devon.

  30

  Devon grinned as he sat outside of Julianna’s house, his car idling along the side of the road across the street from her house, pleased with himself. Last night had been the first time he entered her home, after studying it closely. Everything had gone off without a hitch as he had carefully stalked through the halls, trying to grasp the conditions in which Julianna had been living in. All it had taken was a faulty window screen that had gained him entry into the home. He had to admit that it had surprised him to even realize that her home was as well-decorated as it had been. He had expected squalor. He shrugged and rubbed his chin. However, she was going around with that fool, Evan, so he most likely was footing the bill for everything.

  Figures.

  He had gone into her home to prove to her he had the upper hand; he knew where she was living, and he could easily have hurt her if he so pleased. That time was just to show her she couldn’t hide from him. He hadn’t even tried to enter her bedroom that time, but next time, he would.

  And that fool won’t even be able to save her.

  He would gain the upper hand when he entered her home for the second and last time, and demand that this Evan leave her alone and he would comply. He could tell that this Evan cared deeply for her, which would be his undoing. When would everyone learn that feelings had no place here? He sighed to himself as he took a sip of his coffee, enjoying the burn of the liquid. He focused his attention back on the house. He had hoped that she would have tried to contact him after she realized he now knew where she lived. She couldn’t hide. However, she hadn’t. He frowned to himself. Surely, something was wrong. Julianna always gave in. He suppressed a yawn as he reclined in his seat. As confident as he was, he had to tread lightly with Evan hanging around. As he had suspected, the man possessed formal training. Military. He had taken the time to research him after their first encounter. Not much could be found on him, except that he had a brother who also had the same level of training. That alone had sent up a red flag. The only time it was difficult to find information on someone was because they had a reason to hide it. There was more to Evan than just “military training”, and he would find out.

  And I’ll have a hell of a time breaking it to Julianna.

  A wolfish grin crossed his face as he imagined the look of hurt on her face when he finally showed her that there was in fact, no one better than him. Until then, he would continue to watch her, learning every detail about her new life.

  After another hour, he frowned and glanced down at his watch. She hadn’t returned home yet. Her home remained dark as night crept in. Annoyed, Devon exited his car, no longer caring who would see him approach the home. He casually walked into the backyard as he had done the night before, but instead of removing the screen from the back window as he had so skillfully done, he paused and looked around. He didn’t have the cover of night to shield him, so he had to tread lightly. He s
canned the neighborhood as he tried to take a glimpse in through the window. Nothing. Irritated, he stomped back to his car.

  She’d better bring her ass home soon. I have things to do.

  Devon was still fuming as he made his way into the car, fidgeting in the silence. He waited for another hour before his phone rang. Adela. He didn’t even try to suppress the grin that came to his face when he answered. She wanted to see him tonight.

  Who am I to disappoint?

  He promised to make it over to her house soon as he ended the call, distracted by the lack of movement at the house.

  Surely, she hadn’t left.

  He impatiently checked his watch as he started his car and drove off into the night. For now, Julianna would have to wait. He had other plans to attend to.

  Goosebumps rose on her bare skin as his fingers traced a pattern over her flesh, his mouth not far behind their trail as he made a path to her center. A guttural groan escaped Julianna’s throat as his tongue flicked against her inner thigh. Close, but not close enough. Moisture immediately pooled in between her thighs as she waited for that moment—for a quick rush of his breath before his warm tongue glided against her clit. She widened her thighs, back arched, eyes closed, as anticipation coursed through her body. She waited for him to continue. A strangled sound escaped her throat when he finally made contact, and she writhed against his mouth.

  “Ev-an.”

  His name escaped her lips in savored ecstasy. He responded with a low growl of a laugh as he continued his work, not missing a beat as he widened her thighs and settled between them. His mouth found hers, hot and greedy, as he wrapped one of her legs around his torso. He was inside her without further warning. He thrust himself deep inside her, his girth filling her completely. He continued his rapid pace. Julianna cried out again, louder this time, grateful because they were alone in his home. She reached up and tangled her hands in his hair, enjoying the soft groan that escaped from his lips from her actions. He kept his eyes on hers as he increased his pace, driving himself deeper and deeper within her as if the closeness of their joined bodies wasn’t nearly enough. Her body shook two, three, four times, before he finally leaned over her with a hard groan, placing his forehead against hers.