“I need you to fix the situation so I come out a winner. If you and I are seen together in public, my husband will think I’ve got the upper hand.”
Sin stroked his three-day-old scruff. “I’m not available for publicity stunts.” He rose. “Here’s my free advice. Going forward, don’t cheat on your spouse.”
“But…but he’s going to take me to the cleaners.” She crossed her legs. Again, Sin refused to look. “I can definitely make it worth your while.”
Evangeline stopped typing. The room grew silent.
Sin walked toward the door. “I can’t help you.”I’ve wasted six minutes.
“Ah, c’mon. I’m a fun time.”
Sin glared at her. “You have five seconds to get the fuck out of my office before I make your life a living hell.”
The color drained from her face. She gathered her purse and rushed out.
“Make sure she leaves,” Sin said to Erica before shutting the door.
“I’ll never get that seven minutes back,” he growled before returning to sit next to Evangeline. “Find anything on Joey?”
“Does that happen often?” she asked.
“What?”
“The bogus appointments. Women throwing themselves at you.”
All the damn time.He stared into her eyes. “None of them hold my attention, but lemme tell you about this one FBI agent who—”
“Okay, cowboy, let’s get back to work.”
He loved how her eyes lit up when she smiled. “What’s the word on Pastor Joey?”
“He told me he worked at Hope Church in Asheville, but he offered pastoral counseling for several churches in the area. There is no Hope Church, but there are several with the word ‘hope’ in them. I’m going to call them all after the holiday.”
Tap-Tap.Erica popped her head in. “Sorry to interrupt. Dakota’s here.”
Dakota entered carrying a large bag. “Hey, brother, how you doing?” He smiled at Evangeline. “Keeping him in line?”
“Hardly.”
Sin clasped his brother’s hand before pulling him in for a hug. “What brings you by?”
He set the large bag on the conference table. “I brought you something.”
Sin peered inside and laughed. “Fuck you. I’m not wearing that.”
“Like hell you aren’t,” Dakota said, pulling out the protective vest.
“C’mon, man. This is insane.”
“You got tossed from your bike and would have died if Evangeline hadn’t been there to drag your sorry ass out of that freezing water.” He glanced around. “Can I get a coffee?”
“I could use a cup. I’ll get you something.” Evangeline stood. “Sin, you want a refill?”
He handed her his mug. “Thanks.”
“Cream or sugar?” she asked Dakota.
“Black is fine.”