Chapter Fifty-Three: When Were You Going To Tell Me?

EVELYN'S POV:

I felt a wave of relief wash over me completely when the voice came. I knew Leonard would figure out a way to get me out of this mess. and I was grateful he didn't disappoint. I trusted him implicitly and knew he would do everything to keep me safe. My only concern was that my dad might find out what was going on, and I hoped he wouldn’t worry too much when he did.

Leonard’s personal guard loosened the ties that bound me to the chair, and I stood up, feeling a bit stiff from being in the same position for so long. He took my hand, and we walked out of the building together. The structure was eerie, with its numerous rooms and dark passages. As we stepped outside, I was struck by the isolation of the location. The building was situated on the outskirts of town, surrounded by dense bushes. How did Caleb and Dana know of a place like this?

Then I remembered what Aaron had said about their drug deals.

These people were far more dangerous than I had thought.

Two men were waiting for us outside. They quickly got into the car, one of them taking the driver’s seat. Leonard’s personal guard opened the door for me, and I got in, feeling exhausted. It was already evening, and I was starving. The sky was painted with hues of orange and pink as the sun dipped below the horizon slowly.

As we drove, Leonard’s guard explained that he had only seen one unfamiliar face in the building, and everyone else had seemed to vanish into thin air. He had tried to apprehend the stranger, but they managed to escape. I thank him for rescuing me.

I couldn’t help but worry about my dad. I hoped he wasn’t worried sick about me. But I knew that hope was futile—of course he would be.

I asked the driver to take me home instead of Leonard’s place, having no idea where they were originally heading.

“Of course, ma’am,” he replied.

I leaned back in my seat, lost in thought. Before I knew it, we were pulling up to my house. I got out of the car and saw my dad and Leonard standing side by side, looking anxious. Tears welled up in my eyes, but I pushed them back, refusing to let them fall.

I ran to my dad and hugged him tightly, feeling a sense of relief and warmth wash over me. He hugged me back, his hands gripping my shoulders as he asked if I was hurt. I reassured him that I was fine.

“Evelyn, when were you going to tell me?” he asked, his voice tinged with concern. I knew he was referring to Caleb and Dana—which also meant Leonard had told him.

“I’m sorry, Dad,” I replied, tears now streaming down my face. “I thought I could handle it.”

Leonard intervened then, saying he would go inside and prepare something for me to eat. My dad tried to protest, saying the cooks could handle it, but Leonard insisted.

As Leonard walked away, my dad turned to me and said, “You know, Leonard is a great guy.”

I smiled, feeling a deep sense of gratitude toward Leonard. My dad told me to get some rest but reminded me we would have a long talk the next day. I nodded, still feeling a bit dazed.

I walked upstairs to my room, the weight of the day’s events pressing heavily on me. As I passed by the living room, I heard the sounds of Leonard cooking in the kitchen. I continued on to my bedroom.

My body ached, so I decided to take a hot bath to relax. When I stepped out of the bathroom, my eyes landed on the frame Caleb had given me. A pang of pain hit me. The picture inside held a happy memory, but the frame itself reminded me of Caleb and Dana—a bitter reminder of their betrayal. I shoved the frame under my bed, unsure what to do with it.

I changed into my nightclothes and headed downstairs, hoping the food was ready. I was starving, and the aroma of cooking wafting from the kitchen was tantalizing.

When I entered the dining room, I saw that Leonard had already set the table. A delicious meal was laid out before me. As I took a bite, the flavors were heavenly.

I ate in silence, savoring the food. Leonard cleaned up in the kitchen, his movements quiet and efficient. My mind drifted to the decisions I had made earlier that day. Could I really detach from Leonard? My dad’s words echoed in my mind: Leonard is a great guy.

The question had already answered itself.

As I finished my meal, I felt a strange tension building between Leonard and me. He walked past me, his eyes locking on mine, and I felt a shiver run down my spine. But he said nothing. The silence was thick and awkward.

Afterward, I got up from the table and followed him upstairs, my heart pounding in my chest.

When I entered my bedroom, I saw Leonard standing by the bed, a towel wrapped loosely around his waist. His body was chiseled, like a Greek god, and I felt my breath catch in my throat.

“Hey, are you hurt? I hope none of them laid a hand on you,” he asked, his voice low and gentle.

I tried to speak, but my words were caught in my throat.

“Hey, speak to me,” he said, his voice soft but firm.

Goosebumps rippled over my skin.

I took a moment to compose myself before answering. “No, I’m fine. Just a sore body.”

Leonard’s eyes locked on mine, and I felt a spark of electricity pass between us.

“A massage, then?” he asked, his voice husky as he gestured to the bed.

I nodded but didn’t move. In the blink of an eye, I was in Leonard’s arms. He carried me to the bed and laid me down gently.

He started to pull my clothes off, one piece at a time. When he was done, he reached for a bottle of massage oil.