Chasing Joshua by Cara North Page A

man. “My family will pay double what he's paying, but she has to be safe, unharmed. Alive!"
    "So do you.” The short one shrugged.
    "The worst kind of person is after her, him. And you know it. You're her friends, help her.” The woman sucked back the tears.
    "We'll try, but playing both sides of the fence is dangerous.” The tall one touched his nose, and they left the room.
    They were right and she knew it. She had to stay alive, so did Evelyn. Her husband and two kids were safe at home in Tennessee. They thought she was away on business. They had to think that. He would kill them otherwise. He needed her. He needed her connections, and whatever sick game he had in his head. He needed her there to play.
    * * * *
    At eight o'clock the doorbell rang. Joshua opened his eyes and realized Evelyn was laying on him. She had stretched the length of him as far as her legs would reach. Her hands gripped his T-shirt tightly. He thought about not answering the door, but the bell chimed again. He gripped her back and gently rolled her to the bed. Pulling her hands free he got up and headed for the door. If the circumstances were different, he would have loved the way he woke up. But Evelyn was only here for protection, not for him to keep.
    Shelby Banks stood at his door with a pie in her hands. The fact that no lights were on hadn't stopped her in the least. In two years he had never missed a day at work. Shane, her son, loved him. Shelby, at every opportunity, tried to bed him. Joshua opened the door and regretted leaving the bed.
    "Shelby.” Joshua didn't open the screen door, and he made a fake cough. All barriers were good barriers where this woman was concerned.
    "I made this pie for you.” Shelby came alone, dressed in clothes that were more fitting for a high school girl than a thirty-six-year-old woman.
    "I have the flu, can't come in. Sorry.” Joshua began to shut the door bowing graciously the whole time. Shelby's smile faded, and she pointed to the pie and sat it on the rocking chair.
    "Well, okay, maybe when you feel better. Here's your pie anyways.” Shelby waved, and he waved back through the crack he held in the door. She wiggled her way down the stairs and into her car. Once she was gone, Joshua opened the door and took the pie. Bringing it back inside he faced Evelyn and felt as though he had been caught red-handed.
    "Who was that?” Evelyn limped toward him. She looked a lot better, but her eye was discolored and her jaw, too.
    "Student's mom.” Joshua walked to the counter and set the fresh apple pie on it.
    "Would you have let her in if I wasn't here?” Evelyn searched the floor with her eyes. Jealous? Come on E, you don't know this guy.
    "No. Of course, she wouldn't have stopped by in the first place if you weren't here.” Joshua stared at the top of her head. He loved her red hair. It was straight but soft and wavy from sleep. He loved the way it smelled. If he knew that shampoo was in there, he would have been huffing it, or worse using it.
    "What do you mean?” Evelyn looked up at him directly.
    "I missed school today. I never call out of work.” Joshua shrugged. “I imagine more people may try to stop by. But no worries, I'll put a sign out."
    "A sign, like beware of the dog?” Evelyn wanted to be close to him again. She hadn't had sleep like that in ... well she may have never had sleep like that.
    "No, like I have the flu, see you Monday.” Joshua was drawn to her. He moved closer and she did, too. “Did you sleep good?"
    "You know I did.” Evelyn blushed. Shit, she was blushing. She was the master of the dirty joke and poker face, but Joshua was different. He was unlike any man she ever knew. She felt different, like she was a completely different woman here. Her guard was down. He refused to acknowledge her as a threat, kept calling her Wonder Woman and baby. Evelyn really felt uncontrollably drawn to him.
    "Let's put a banana peel on that eye.” Joshua peeled a banana and handed her