Free Light (The Shadows Series) by Amber Lacie Page A

at her. “I’m not running. It’s not running if no one knows you’ve left or notices you’re gone.”
    “Eve, that’s all in your head. Don’t let your emotions create a problem that isn’t there.” Kayla pipes up, but I shoot her down with a glare.
    “You know what? Right now, I feel like shit. Right now, all I want to do is lay down on something cold and not cry. Right now, I just want to be alone.” Knocking my chair back, as I stand up, I grab my purse and head outside. I need some fresh air to cool down. I can’t handle anymore of Kayla or my mom’s accusations. I send a quick text to Evan letting him know that I need him to come and get me. It’s not long before he pulls up into the drive. I don’t bother going inside to say goodbye because I know they are watching me from the window.

E van walks around the car to open my door for me. “Miss Evelyn.”
    “Really, Evan? I think we are past the stage of you calling me, ‘Miss Evelyn’. Just take me home.”
    “Is everything alright, Eve?”
    “Yes, no, I don’t know. I just want to go home.” Tears slips from my eyes and I take a steadying breath. I slip into my seat. Laying my head against the car window, I close my eyes, trying not to focus on the motion of the car.
    “I know.”
    My heart slams in my chest. Fuck my life. “You know?”
    “About the notes, Eve. Kayla told me.”
    “Oh.” Thank God, he only knows about the notes. My heart calms down, just not entirely. I want to be the one to tell Theron about everything that’s going on. I just want to make sure I do it right.
    “I know things aren’t going as planned right now. I know more than most, but you can’t keep it from him, Eve. If you don’t tell him soon, I will. His dad is a crazy motherfucker. If he’s behind this, you could be risking your life. It’s not something I can just sit by and watch.”
    “I know. I will.”
    “Thank you.”
    “You’re welcome.”
    “No. Thank you for helping me the other night. I was in an awful place—”
    “Evan, stop. I don’t need an explanation. You lost your other half. You’re allowed to fall to pieces after something like that.”
    “You knew?”
    “Theron told me. I’m sorry, Evan it must be hard. You seem better today, though.”
    “I am. Theron slapped me around yesterday. He made me wake up and see the bigger picture. Isa wouldn’t want me laying around drunk, she’d want me to keep going. She left Theron the business because she wanted to protect me from Thomas…he offered me a partnership.”
    “Who, Thomas?”
    “No, Theron. I don’t think he felt right taking over, since Isa and I worked so hard for everything. I told him I can’t do it.”
    “Why? He said you started it from scratch?”
    “I did with help from her, but without Isa being here, it just feels wrong.”
    “Oh, Evan. I don’t know what to say. Sorry doesn’t seem to be good enough for all of this.”
    “Don’t worry. I took another offer from, Theron. I’m going to be his head of security, which is where I feel more comfortable. So, as of now, I am taking your safety very seriously. I don’t know who’s leaving the notes, but I’m going to find out. In the meantime, it will be your job to tell, Theron.”
    “Fine, Evan. I already said I would.”
    “I know, but I’m just making sure, Miss Evelyn.”
    Great. Now we are back to Miss Evelyn again. We are almost to the house, when I get a text from Theron.
Hey, babe. How was Kayla’s? You coming home soon?
Yeah. On my way now.
Is she bringing you back?
 No. Evan is.
 Why?
 Because I asked him to.
    I realize that I am being a complete bitch. I just can’t stop myself from feeling pissed off at him. Putting my phone on vibrate, I drop it back into my purse. He will see me soon enough. I have no idea what I’m going to tell him. We pull up and I don’t wait for Evan to open my door. Stepping out of the car, I head straight inside. I plop my purse down onto the dining room table.