A/N – Thank you for the comments! I appreciate it! I started writing this back in 2017 and just never got around to finishing it.
Chapter 2
"She's not up yet?" Johnny asked.
Francis shook his head. "Nope."
"Slacker," Johnny said smirking. "She's certainly a looker."
Francis smiled. "She's not hard on the eyes and she seems smart as well."
"You think Jason will be into her?"
"I don't know. He might be a little intimidated. We'll have to wait and see." Jason doesn't normally go for the typical girl, so nothing would surprise him, but his self-esteem isn't always that great.
When Eva finally appeared with her hair pulled back into a ponytail, wearing a cover-up over a bikini and some wedged sandals, the men were speechless. "Hey, guys." She grabbed a glass that was sitting on the counter and poured some juice into it.
Johnny and Francis glanced at one another. "Dayum," Johnny mouthed.
"Do you know when my actual clothes will be here?"
Francis checked the time. "Sorry, it shouldn't be much longer."
She smiled sweetly. "Thanks." She had decided that it didn't help to be a nervous wreck. They haven't done anything to make her feel afraid, so instead of waiting for the other shoe to drop, she's just going to be herself.
"Why don't you take some juice to Jason?" Johnny suggested.
Evangeline shrugged. "Okay. Where is he?"
Francis pointed and she walked down the hallway and went into the room across from hers. She knocked lightly before pushing the door open.
Jason's head shifted to the left, and he took her in. She has legs for miles, and he hadn't realized how naturally beautiful she is the night before.
"Good morning."
Add a stunning smile that lights up her entire face and it's an all-around nice package.
"Good morning," he said before taking a sip of the juice. "Thank you."
"You're welcome. You look a little better than you did last night." His coloring isn't back to normal yet, but it is closer.
"I feel a little better. I was worried about you."
She frowned. "Why?"
He smirked. "Are you saying that you're used to being in shootouts?"
"No, I wouldn't say that exactly, but I'm okay." She had a few nightmares about it but managed to calm herself after several minutes.
"Are you going to the beach?"
"Maybe. This was all that was in the room to wear, but Francis said that will be rectified soon."
She studied Jason closely, noticing the beads of sweat on his forehead before reaching out her hand and pressing it. "That's a nice little fever you have going on."
Jason tracked her as she went into the bathroom and then returned with a wet washcloth. As she wiped it against his skin, his eyes fluttered shut. "Feels nice."
She notices Francis is standing in the doorway. "I think he has a fever."
"Leo should be here any minute."
"Francis, can you help me to the bathroom?" Jason asked.
Evangeline stepped back and watched Francis help a shirtless Jason stand. He is weak and it took all the strength he had to walk, but he made it.
As Jason finished washing his hands, his arms felt heavy and sore as dizziness overwhelmed him. "Francis," he yelled as he felt himself start to blackout.
Francis threw open the door and caught him and Evangeline slipped on his other side, as she tried to bear some of Jason's weight as they made their way back to the bed.
"Johnny," Francis called out.
Johnny ran into the room and grabbed Jason's legs and they got him settled. Evangeline heard a knock on the door, so she ran to get it. After letting Leo in, she filled him in on what happened as they hurried to the bedroom.
After a few minutes, she found her way to the porch and sat on the steps. A tear slipped down her cheek, surprising her and a few minutes later, Francis joined her.
"Are You okay?" He's not sure what upset her and then figures it's a combination of things. Her quiet world had shattered that night on the docks, and she has no idea what the repercussion will be.
She nodded. "All of this is a little overwhelming."
"Want to take a walk on the beach?"
She smiled. "Yeah, but can we wait to hear what Leo says first?" She can't help but worry about Jason.
"Sure. I'll go get changed."
A few minutes later Leo sat next to her. "I hear you wanted an update on the patient."
"Is he okay?"
"He will be. He has a fever, but I kind of expected that. Due to the blood loss, he's weak which is not easy for him to handle because he thinks he's invincible."
Evangeline smiled. "So, what can I do?"
"Make sure he drinks fluids and if you can get some food into him later, that would be great."
"Does it matter what it is?"
He shook his head. "Nope, he doesn't have any restrictions."
"What about medication?"
Leo smiled at her thoroughness. "Well, Jason doesn't like pain pills, but I left some ibuprofen on the nightstand. He's asleep right now which is good because the body heals the best during the sleep cycle."
"Okay."
"If the fever seems to be getting worse, have the guys call me. I'm supervising a free clinic today, so I'll be in the area."
"Thank you, Leo."
"You're welcome," he said before taking one last look at her.
She noted the interest and smiled to herself as he walked away. He's handsome, but she isn't the least bit interested. Someone else had captured her attention for the moment.
IiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIi
Francis and Evangeline walked along the water.
"So, tell me about yourself," she said as the water washed over her feet.
"I've worked for Jason for the last few years. I grew up in Pennsylvania and did a stint in the military for a few years."
"I'm from Pennsylvania too."
"Really, where?"
"LLanview."
Francis smiled. "I know where that is. I'm from West Chester."
"Do you ever go back?"
"No. I don't have any family back there anymore."
"I have a younger sister named Layla."
Evangeline let out a yelp. "Shit."
Francis grabbed her and looked down. "Jellyfish."
"Oww." It stings so bad that she could barely stand it.
"Can you make it back?"
She nodded and gritted her teeth.
"I think we have something back at the house for it."
"Johnny is not peeing on my foot."
Francis laughed loudly. "I would never let him do that to you. Besides, it's probably mostly beer anyway." They walked slowly for a bit and Francis said, "The hell with this."
He swung her up in his arms and cut across the beach.
"Thanks, Francis."
Johnny saw them and ran towards them. "What happened?"
"Jelly Fish."
Johnny took her from Francis and finished carrying her the rest of the way.
"I hope I'm not too heavy."
"You're fine." He walked her into the kitchen and sat her on the counter. "Put your feet in the sink."
Evangeline turned and then squealed when Francis poured vinegar on her wound.
Jason heard her and yelled for Johnny who ran into the room.
"What's up?"
"What happened?"
"She got bit by a jellyfish, she'll be fine."
He nodded.
"How's that feel?" Francis asked after making sure all the sand is gone.
"Much better actually."
"Good."
She swung around and he gently dried her feet.
"Are you hungry?"
"A little bit. I need to force-feed the patient soon."
Francis smiled and helped her down.
Leo strode into the room. "What happened?"
Francis frowned at Johnny. "You called Leo?"
"Sorry, it was a reflex. When I saw you carrying her, I thought she had hurt her ankle."
"I got bitten by a mean jellyfish. I'm fine."
Leo knelt and placed her foot on his leg. "It's not a bad one. It might sting for a little while, but you'll be fine."
"I'm glad you won't have to amputate."
Leo smiled as he lowered her foot. "Me too. All right, I'll see you guys later."
Francis handed her a plate with some fruit on it.
"Thanks, I'll see if I can get Jason to eat some."
"Good luck with that. The man is a carnivore," Johnny said.
She entered the room.
"Are you okay? I heard Leo."
She sat on the bed next to him. "Johnny overreacted. I'm fine."
He smiled. "Good."
She picked up a grape and put it in front of his mouth. "Open up."
He stared at it like it was poison before eyeing her pointedly. "Why?"
Evangeline chuckled. "They're not poisonous, Jason."
His eyes narrowed as she popped it into her mouth. "Mm. See, they are very good."
Jason watched her lick her lips and he almost groaned. She picked up another grape and this time he opened his mouth and chewed on it. "I don't get the point of fruit."
"No? Well, there are lots of fun things to do with fruit."
His eyelashes flickered. "Really? Name one."
She threw a grape at him. "They can be great weapons."
He rolled his eyes.
"And they can be very sexy."
Jason smirked. "Perhaps you'll have to demonstrate for me one day."
A smile lit up her face. He's even more handsome when he smiles. "If you're lucky."
Johnny interrupted and put a tray down with two sandwiches. He helped Jason sit up and then positioned it across his lap. "Let me know if you need anything."
"Thanks," Jason said. "Well, dig in."
They ate their sandwich and then Evangeline yawned.
"Tired?"
"A little bit." She stretched.
Jason patted the bed next to him. "Take a nap with me."
"Do you think it's that easy to get me into bed with you?"
He pretended to look offended. "Do I look like I'm in any condition to be anything but a gentleman?"
She grinned. "I guess not. Sorry if I insulted your chivalrous ways."
He pointed to a chair and then she put the tray and plates in the kitchen. After grabbing a throw blanket from the chair in the corner of the room, she heads for the bed as Jason watched her gather her hair into a ponytail. Once she was in a comfortable position, she threw the blanket over herself.
"You don't snore do you?"
She chuckled. "Not that I've been told, how about you?"
"No."
She sighed and shut her eyes and he watched her for a few minutes before he quickly fell asleep.
Johnny came back into the house and looked around. Francis is at the kitchen counter reading the newspaper.
"Where's Evangeline?"
Francis smirked. "Jason's room."
Johnny walked down the hallway and peeked inside and grinned. He watched Evangeline roll over into Jason and in return, his arm wrapped around her as she snuggled closer. Shaking his head, he went back into the kitchen.
"They look awful comfy," he said holding out his hand.
Francis rolled his eyes and slapped a twenty into Johnny's hand.
"Like taking candy from a baby." Johnny smiled as he slipped it into his wallet. "You know that no woman can resist Jason."
Francis chuckled. "Don't think he has her under his thumb or anything. Evangeline won't take any shit from him."
Johnny nodded. "That, I agree with."
IiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIi
Jason woke up when he realized someone was lying against him. A smile lit up his face when he saw Evangeline's ponytail splayed across his chest. Shutting his eyes, he tried to go back to sleep when he heard her speak right after her body shuddered.
"You seriously need to stop doing that."
His eyes snapped open. "What?"
"Your thumb."
Jason realized that his thumb was softly caressing her, which he quickly halted. "Sorry."
"I'm the one that moved into your space."
"I didn't mind."
Evangeline fought the urge to pounce on him. His expression is so sexy as he gazes at her with hooded eyes that she does not doubt that most women probably find him to be irresistible. She pushes herself up and reminds herself that he's a mob boss and injured. "I need to check your bandage." She got up and sat on the other side of him.
Jason observed as she removed the old one and placed it to the side.
"The bleeding has stopped," she said as she cleaned the wound and blew on it softly, hoping she hadn't caused him any pain.
"How's your foot?"
"It's fine." Her gaze met his for a second before resuming her task. "Sonny didn't look too happy about me coming with you." The way he had stared at her had almost made her jump out of her skin. She is not sure what to think of the man.
"He's cautious."
"Because I could put you in jail?"
Jason nodded.
"Well, considering I killed someone, I don't think that I have room to talk—so to speak."
"The D.A. doesn't care about facts. He'll find a way to put me away."
"So, we're kind of in a standoff?"
"Are you scared of me, Evangeline?" His voice was like velvet and almost made her tremble.
"No, Jason, but I also don't want to end up six feet under in the pine barrens."
Jason smirked. "I've never been there by the way." He is however familiar with the reference due to movies.
She smiled and went to stand when Jason touched her arm sending a tingle throughout her body.
"I'll make sure that no one hurts you."
"Okay." She bit her lip as she slowly moved away.
Jason closed his eyes and was out like a light again.
IiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIi
A few hours later, Sonny called.
Evangeline was curled up on a couch on the porch reading a book.
Johnny peeked inside Jason's room. "Hey, Sonny's on the phone."
Jason took it from him. "Hey."
"How are you feeling?"
"Drained…literally."
Sonny chuckled.
"Did you call about Evangeline?"
"Yes. We need to decide what we're going to do with her."
"What were you thinking?"
Sonny sighed. "She saw you in a gun battle, Jason." They all know that sometimes they must do things to protect themselves that seem extreme.
"And she killed someone to save my life."
"Are you attached to her already? I know she's beautiful but—"
"You seriously want me to get rid of her?"
"What do you suggest?" he asked as he watched Morgan crawl toward him.
"I don't know. I lost a lot of blood, so we need to stay here a while longer. When we come back, she'll be under my protection." In a few days, he should be doing well, but he'll need to be back in form to deal with this situation.
Sonny's jaw ticked as he listened. "If you bring her back here, Faith will come after her which means things are going to get a lot more dangerous and people will be killed. I'm not looking to start a war over some girl we have no connection to."
"Just say what you want to say."
"She needs to disappear."
"Then I'll disappear with her."
Sonny's patience was thinning. "You know what I meant by that."
"I will take her and disappear until this blows over. I need time to heal anyway."
"You've been shot in worse places and recovered fast. It's not going to blow over and you know it."
"Then I'll figure out a way."
Sonny sighed. They were talking in circles. "Fine. Just handle it." He ended the call.
"What's the problem?" Carly asked as she scooped up Morgan who is babbling away.
"Jason is thinking with his dick instead of his head."
Carly smirked. "Evangeline?"
Sonny's head snapped up. "How did you know?"