“Vada, answer me one thing,” I muttered as Ardencontinued to kiss her throat. “Did you tell Julian that Jain was with me that night?”
Vada frowned before rolling her eyes.
“Fuck off, Evan. I’m busy.”
She moved her mouth to meet Arden’s, and I shook my head, wanting to get out of there as soon as possible. I let the door slam behind me before jogging back down to my car.
Vada had seemed disinterested when I asked her that—which I supposed could be an act. But something told me she wasn’t lying, and I needed to find out how Julian knew Jain’s whereabouts. Something in my stomach didn’t sit right, and I needed to know what it was.
One thing was for sure, though.
I wasn’t leaving Jain for shit.
Jain And Evan
“You’re sure?”
Evan observed Jain, swallowing hard. He loved her more than she would ever know—and it was vital that they be allowed to live their lives freely and without the constant interference of other people.
“Jain. If I don’t, they will report me anyway. I knew what I was doing when I got involved with you. I just couldn’t help it.” He stroked Jain’s face softly as she bit back tears.
“But Evan, you know how serious this is. They won’t let you get away with it. Why draw attention to it? Maybe they won’t say anything—”
He silenced her then by kissing her lips and resting his forehead on hers. The silence that filled the room then was loud, and the only sound was the sob that Jain let out when Evan smiled at her reassuringly.
“Whatever happens,happens. Let’s face it—I’ll never work in education again, but there’s plenty of things I can do. So it will be ok, Jain.”
“What if you get sent to prison?”
Evan stiffened then and stared at her thoughtfully.
“Maybe I’ll make some friends who will be able to kill off Vada and Julian,” he joked, whilst Jain swatted his arm with fury.
“That’s not funny. What am I going to do? Seriously?”
Jain looked afraid, and his chuckle died on his lips.
“Well, this is the thing. I have thought it through, and I would need you to stay here for me. I wouldn’t want to lose the house.” He swallowed again, and Jain began to cry.
“Just don’t do it, Evan...”
“Jain. I’m not having a relationship in the shadows. Fuck them, I’ll do what I have to do, and then we can tell the world we are together. I’m not having either of us blackmailed anymore.”
Jain closed her eyes as he kissed her forehead, his fingers tilting her head up to his. He didn’t seem worried or afraid—and Jain couldn’t understand why. Vada had evidence of them together apparently—and Arden would be able to testify to them being together. Panic struck her, and she began to babble.
“What if we just move? Far away.”
Evan sighed before placing his hands on her shoulders. “Listen to me. I’m not hiding, and I’m not running. I love you, Jain, and I always have. We do this, and then they have nothing they can do.”
“I spent years without you—just sothisdidn’t happen!” Jain cried angrily.
Evan cringed, knowing she was right. But if he didn’t do this now—they would constantly be dancing to the tune of other people who were jealous of what they had.
“I’m doing this, Jain, and I know you will hate me for it. But I’m not—”
“Living in the shadows. I heard you. Instead, you lose your entire career, probably get sent to prison, fined—”
Evan stopped her, pulling her close to him as he gazed at her lovingly.