Page 74 of Taking What Was His

Chapter Twenty-Four

“Hey, I need to take off,” Beth said as she caught up to Sandra.

“Go. We’re good. Is everything okay?”

Beth looked down in her purse because if Sandra saw her face, she would know she was lying. “Yeah. Hey, tell me how it’s going with Tysen.”

Sandra leaned against the stall and grinned. “Pretty damn good.”

“I’m glad. He really is a great guy, and he needs a woman like you.”

“We’re in no rush.”

Beth grinned. “Smart. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

Beth headed home to pick up a few things before going to the grocery store. They hadn’t had a lot for breakfast, and she wanted to pick up some dinner for the three of them.

Beth pulled into her driveway as she tried to make a list in her head of everything she’d need.

After unlocking the back door, she rushed in and screamed when an arm caught her around her waist and one over her mouth. She fought, kicking and trying to scratch him.

“Beth, stop, it’s just me.”

Beth relaxed and pushed away from him when his grip loosened. “Evan, what the hell are you doing? You scared the crap out of me.”

“Look, I’m sorry.”

She watched him pace back and forth in the kitchen, and he rubbed the back of his head. Tension flowed off him in waves, and she was trying to figure out how to best deal with the situation. It seemed smart at that time to play as dumb as possible. She just hoped she would pull it off.

“Evan, what’s wrong? You’re scaring me. Is it Jayden?”

“No, fuck. Beth.” He pinched the bridge of his nose and then cursed under his breath. “Listen, I owe some bad people money.”

She gasped in shock that she didn’t have to invent. “Oh, my God. Why?”

“I’ve done some stupid things.”

“Whatever it is, we can fix it. I’ve got some savings you can have.”

Evan looked up at her. “You’d really do that for me?”

“Of course. I love you.”

The tension in his eyes gentled. “I love you, too. I always have.”

“How much and when do we need it by? Because the banks are going to close soon.”

“I’m already late, and they add interest every day.”

“So, the sooner we get it to them, the better.”

He started getting agitated again. The ups and downs of his emotions told her he was on some kind of drug, which would make the situation even more dangerous.

“I have it.”

She was confused. “Have what?”

“I have the money to repay them,” he growled.