He exited out the back door, returned to the town car, and slid inside the back. As Anton drove out of the neighborhood, Sin yanked off the gloves and ski mask. Once they were out of the neighborhood, Anton pulled over to remove the license plate deflectors. The two men rode in silence to Mac’s.
Though he wanted to go inside and confront Joey, he and Evangeline had agreed he’d lie low. So, they parked and waited, engine idling. Moments later, his phone rang.
He answered. “How’d it go?” he asked Evangeline.
“Good. I’m walking to my car.”
“I see you. Where is he?”
“He’s still in there. Earlier, he was checking out some women, so I encouraged him to stay. I don’t think he’s leaving anytime soon. Did you have any luck?”
What he had to tell her was too important to mention over the phone. “In a matter of speaking. How ‘bout you, babe?”
“I got pics.” He could hear the smile in her voice. “Let’s head back to your office so I can upload them.”
“We’ll be on your six.” He told Anton to follow her.
“I did learn something interesting,” she said as she pulled onto the street ahead of them. “He’s obsessed with you.”
“Me? He’s obsessed with me?”
“He kept asking me questions about you, about us. We’ll talk at the office,” she said and hung up.
As they followed her, he called Dakota.
“What’s the word?” Dakota asked.
“I need someone trailing Evangeline. This Joey creep is obsessed with her.”
“I don’t have anyone I can spare right now.”
“Then switch the guy from me to her. She’s in danger.”
“Sin.”
“Do it, Dakota.”
“You’re pissing me off.”
“I’ll be fine.”
“You fucking better be,” Dakota said and the line went dead.
He loved that his brother cared, but he needed Evangeline protected twenty-four seven.
They drove to Develin & Associates and parked inside his gated lot. After Anton escorted Sin and Evangeline into the building, he left to grab something to eat.
As soon as the elevator closed, Sin pulled her into his arms. “God, I missed the hell out of you.” The intensity in her kiss reminded him how much she meant to him.
The doors slid open and they broke apart. As they passed the conference room, Sin paused in the doorway. “Give me ten.”
Jacoby, Sanchez, and Erica acknowledged him.
“Do your employees ever go home?” Evangeline asked as they entered his office.
It was after eight, but the majority of associates were still working away. “We’re in high demand, plus, I delegated my caseload.”
When Evangeline started uploading the photos, Sin dropped the evidence bags on the conference table and eased down beside her.
She picked up the baggie of hairs and eyed the strands. “Sending these for a DNA test?”
“That’s the plan, along with the cigarette butt.”
“I don’t see a root, so the hair might be inconclusive.” She studied the contents. “Look at this. He might be darkening his hair. This end has a sliver of blond, but the majority of the hair shaft is dark brown.”
“So, he’s a natural blond?”
She shrugged. “Could be gray. Hard to tell without a microscope.” She shot him a smirk. “You wouldn’t happen to have one of those laying around here, would you?”
He hated that he was about to kill her playful mood. “I found nothing else to ID him. No bills, no credit cards, not even a laptop lying around.” After pulling out his phone, he slid it over to her. “He had several photos on his bed.” His chest tightened as she scrolled through them.
Her eyebrows jutted up. “What the hell is this?”
“You need to stay away from him and you need to make sure Hannah does, too. I have no idea who he is, but until we get an answer, no more contact.”
“I agree.” She examined the photos. “This is crazy. I thought he was obsessed with you, but he’s obsessed with me.” She held up his phone. “Did he take this one the night of the club fire?”
“Looks that way. I think we’ve found our guy. We’ll get the evidence to a lab first thing tomorrow.”
Evangeline’s phone rang. After viewing the screen, she answered. “Hey, how was school today? Oh, wow. Okay. Be right there.” She hung up and pushed out of her chair. “Hannah’s water broke.”
“I’ll go with you,” Sin said.
“No, I’ll be fine.” She patted his chest. “Where’s your vest?”
“In the bag,” he said, pointing.
“Unbelievable.” She pulled the vest out. “Stand up, Mr. Develin. I’m going to undress you.”
One by one, she flicked open the buttons of his black shirt, then his cuffs, before removing his shirt. “You smell good,” she whispered.
After helping him into the vest, she held out his shirt so he could slip it back on. As she buttoned it up, she said, “I’ve run out of patience with you, Sinclair. I get that you won’t stay holed up in here or at home. I understand that you have a busy life and a company to run. But going forward, under no circumstances are you to be in public without this. Do you understand me?”
“All right, I’ll wear the damn thing.”
“Thank you.” Then, she curled her fingers around his biceps and marched him down to the conference room.
“Hey,” Jacoby said. “What’s the word?”
“I’m sorry to interrupt,” Evangeline began. “Sinclair hasn’t been wearing his vest, but he’s got it on now. Please make sure he keeps it on.”
Despite not liking being told what to do, he felt like the luckiest guy on earth. This amazing woman loved him so damn much.
“There’s a new sheriff in town,” Sanchez said. “And I like it.”
Evangeline squeezed Sin’s shoulder. “I’m serious. Do not take this off.”
“Yes, ma’am,” Sin replied. “I’ll walk you out.”
“My sister’s water broke,” Evangeline said to Sin’s team. “I’ll be at the hospital.”
“Good luck,” Jacoby replied.
“Thanks,” she said. “You guys, too.”
Once outside, Sin confirmed Dakota’s guy would ensure her safety. As he stared into her eyes, he needed her to know exactly how he felt. “I love you so damn much.” He brushed his lips against hers. “I adore you, Evan.”
Her smile made his heart swell. “Those are some serious words, Sinclair Develin.”
“I’m not messing around.”
She kissed him back and patted his chest. “I love you, too. Keep that vest on,” she said before ducking into her car. “Joey is dangerous.”
As Sin walked inside, his phone buzzed with a text. “Bang bang. You’re a dead man.”
Dammit to fucking hell.
He punched the elevator button. Gritting his teeth, he rode to the top floor, and headed straight for his office. He opened the credenza, poured himself a finger of whiskey and tossed it back, savoring the burn as it trailed down to his stomach.