Chapter 40

FORTY

I promised Alek I would keep an eye on Alice. He wanted her to stay home, but she's determined not to let this psycho ruin her life, and honestly, I fucking admire her for it. She's so much more like her brother than she knows. He drops us both off, and I walk her to class, promising to meet after.

"Evan, go, I'm fine." She sighs, rolling her eyes before she smiles. "I'm glad you two made up."

"Yeah? Me too," I reply, blushing hard, hoping she didn't hear us this morning. Alek kept his promise—he kept me up all night, and I loved it.

She laughs, no doubt reading my face. "Don't worry, noise canceling headphones, remember?" She squeezes my arm. "Thank you for loving him and making him smile. I know he's a pain in the ass, but he deserves you, Evan. He deserves to be happy. Hell, you two even have me believing in love again."

"You'll find someone, Alice, who will treasure you and know how incredible you are," I promise.

"I know." She smiles and waves me off. "Now go. Don't be late because of me. I'll text you if anything comes up."

I watch her go inside, shoving my hands in my pockets, then I head out of the building, ready to meet for the workshop that's happening near the foundation, but I only take two steps when two familiar police officers step into my path.

"Evan," Winchester greets.

"Here to take me to the station again?" I ask casually.

"No, we heard what happened and wanted to talk." He holds his hands up, and I nod, looking around.

"Follow me." I head over to a free bench, ignoring the looks I'm receiving as they sit opposite me. I know there are rumors, but the important people in my life know the truth, and that's all that matters.

"We heard about the delivery at your friend's house."

"Boyfriend," I correct. Honestly, it doesn't really matter, but it does to me. They hesitate, the younger one taken aback.

"Boyfriend, right." He coughs. "We are aware the person is claiming to be behind the deaths?—"

"Murders, you mean?" I ask, tilting my head. "They were murdered."

"That information isn't available. How do you know?" the younger one asks.

"You basically told me. I'm not an idiot." I sigh, sitting back. "I had nothing to do with it. I would never put Alice in danger, nor would I ever kill someone."

"We know it wasn't you." They share a look. Maybe they are starting to figure it out. "But we are worried someone is trying to frame you."

"Frame me? Why would anyone want to do that?" I snap.

"You tell us. Who hates you enough to do that? Evan, this is serious. You could have been charged for two counts of first-degree murder, and now there are these new stalking allegations. Someone is trying to ruin your life and get you out of the way. Why?"

The only reason that comes to mind is Alice. Whoever it is wants her, right? They killed people who hurt her and sent her flowers. The only connection I have is Alice.

But why me, and why now?

I shrug. "I have no idea. I didn't think anyone hated me that much. There are people who don't like me, but nothing that serious." Standing, I pull my bag on. "Maybe instead of wasting my time and hassling me, you should find out who is behind this. Oh, and put some protection on Alice so she doesn't get hurt in the meantime."

"Evan."

I stop and look back. Winchester seems worried.

"Someone like this will escalate before we stop them. We are doing everything we can, but the truth is, we are in the dark. Be careful. If they are trying to frame you and it fails . . . who knows what they will do."

Comforting thought.

Nodding, I head toward the workshop, but I'm distracted and not in the mood to make small talk. Instead, I find myself hanging out in the library, pulling my phone out and texting Autumn.

This is getting out of hand. We need to know who is behind this. She mentioned her brother. He has to know something, right?

Autumn: I tried, Evan. He won't talk to me at all. All he said was that it was bad and it's buried for a reason. I'm worried.

Evan: Me too.

Autumn: I'll keep digging and let you know if I find anything.

Evan: Thanks.

Gnawing my lip, I dial Alek's number.

"Baby, what's wrong?" he asks. There's a clattering sound and voices before I hear his footsteps. "Are you okay? Is Alice?"

"I'm worried, Alek," I admit. "Alice is fine, and so am I, but the police were here again."

He swears, and I hear rummaging. "I'm on my way?—"

"They've left, but the shit they said . . ." I rub my face. "Alek, this is worse than we thought."

"I'm on my way. Meet me at our spot," he snaps, and then his voice softens. "I'm coming, okay? Just hold on."

Nodding, I hang up.

I tell him everything. He's silent the entire time, turned in the driver's seat to see me. Neither of us want to leave Alice, so we are in our spot outside the art building—private but close.

"Shit, Evan," he growls. "Why didn't you tell me?"

"Honestly, I wanted to be wrong, but I'm not, and now with what they said, I think whoever it is wants me out of Alice's life. What if they are right? What if they come after me when they can't frame me? Or worse, after her?"

"Shh." He presses his forehead to mine. "I'll keep you both safe. Nobody is laying a hand on either of you."

"Alek, this person is crazy. They killed two people?—"

"And you think I wouldn't to protect my family? You are my family, Evan. You and Alice are all I have. I'll kill them before they hurt either of you."

I search his eyes, realizing he's serious. "And if you're hurt?" I whisper, my heart racing. "I couldn't live with that."

"Shh, it's fine. We will be okay, alright? We'll be extra careful from now on and lie low until the police figure out who this fucker is. We'll stick together."

I nod, letting him kiss me softly. "I'm sorry to call you from work," I mumble, playing with his shirt.

"I'm glad you did. I'm glad you needed me," he admits. "I like when you lean on me, pretty boy. I like being able to help."

"Masochist." I smirk, and he laughs as he leans back.

"Want to see something that will make you happy?" he asks.

"If it's your dick, we might need to go somewhere private," I tease.

Sighing, he climbs from the car and opens my door. "You wish, pretty boy." He winks and points .

I follow his gaze, noticing what I hadn't when I first climbed in. I blink, staring at the words proudly displayed across the footwell of the passenger side of his precious baby.

EVAN'S SEAT

"Holy shit, you defaced your car for me. That's so romantic." I grin, going to kiss him, but I hesitate. He doesn't. He drags me closer, kissing me without hesitation.

"I'm finding, pretty boy, that I would do anything for you. Don't believe me? Pull the visor down."

Frowning, I do as he says, catching the Polaroid that falls out. It's of me. We had been playing around one night at his palace. I'm in his arms, smiling at the camera. "How long has this been here?" I ask softly.

"Since the night we took it," he replies, carefully putting it back and shutting it before he grabs my chin and tugs my face up. "I wanted you close at all times, and there is no one else who belongs in this seat but you. I even make Alice sit in the back. It's yours, just like I am."

Biting my lip to stop my wide grin, I smack his chest. "You soppy asshole."

Laughing, he kisses my forehead. "You love it, pretty boy."

"You two better not be fucking!" Alice calls, and I peek around him to see her heading my way.

"Nah, that's later," Alek retorts, opening the back door. "Come on, let me treat my two favorite people to lunch."

Climbing from the seat, I sling my arm around Alice, kissing her cheek. "He's paying, so let's make the most of it. I'm thinking buffet and cake."

She giggles, and I help her into the back before climbing into the front. Alek sighs but smiles as he shuts our doors and heads around to drive.

Peeking back at her, I wink as she laughs, and I know Alek is right.

I'd do anything to protect her. Alek might be my boyfriend, but Alice is the sister I never had.

I'll keep them both safe no matter what it takes.