Chapter 59

"So, that's where we had to leave it," I finish, taking a sip of my tea. I'm sitting in Marcus's office, updating him on the results of the investigation. He's not behind his desk, but sitting in the armchair next to me in his little seating area in front of his fireplace.

It's so cozy here. Of course, we don't have a fire lit – it's July in New England, after all. But the vibes are still so warm and soft. I could sit here every day of my life with Marcus, drinking tea and talking through our problems together.

Or not even problems. Just talking about our days, our thoughts, our feelings. You know – like a couple.

I very much want to be a couple with Marcus. What the Alpha said in the hospital…about thinking I'd become his daughter-in-law after all this is over…

Well, I can only hope he's right. I already love Emmett as if he's my true father, and even the Luna has warmed up to me now. And…I can finally admit to myself that I love Marcus. I really do.

So, when he sets down his teacup and suggests we go out on a date that evening, of course I say yes.

Marcus is fixing his tie in the mirror of his dressing room that evening, humming softly to himself. He's decided to take Evelyn to a nice restaurant this evening, someplace quiet and imitate where they can really talk.

He's booked a private room at his favorite Japanese place in the city. They won't be interrupted or overheard there, which is important, because Marcus knows they'll inevitably end up talking about the situation with his family.

But he also wants to spend some real time with Evelyn – real, uninterrupted time where they continue to get to know one another. Evelyn is a bit close-lipped about herself, especially her past.

Marcus doesn't really mind, but it does strike him as unusual. He wants to get to know her better. The secrecy is a little puzzling, in more ways than one.

Take Evelyn's home situation, for example. She won't tell him where she lives, and she won't tell him why she won't tell him. She evades the conversation every time it comes up, making vague excuses before proposing that he meet her at her office to leave together after work.

They've only been able to arrange a few weekday dates because of this. Evelyn says her weekends are complicated, but she won't say more.

Marcus doesn't think she's married, or anything like that. He's almost sure of it. Evelyn doesn't seem the type to cheat on her husband like this. But it is puzzling, very puzzling.

Finishing his tie, he smooths his jacket and decides to stop by his father's rooms before heading to Eveyln's office. He heads over to his father's quarters and knocks on his sitting room door, where Marcus is sure his father is relaxing with a book, as is usual for him at this time of day.

"Come in," his father calls out after Marcus knocks. Marcus opens the door and pokes his head inside.

"It's just me," he says. "Do you have a minute?"

"Of course, son," his father says, laying his book aside and looking up with a warm smile of greeting. Marcus enters the room and closes the door behind him. He didn't know what he was coming here for until he arrived, but now he realizes he wants his father's advice.

He paces for a few minutes around the room, wondering how to begin, until his father gently speaks up and focuses his attention.

"Son," Emmett says. "Why don't you sit down and tell me what's on your mind? Something is clearly bothering you. How can I help?"

"I – I suppose I just want your advice," Marcus says, sinking into an armchair and leaning forward to prop his elbows on his knees. "It's Evelyn. I – I like her very much, Father. Very much. But there are a few things about her that I just can't work out."

The Alpha looks unsurprised by this. He just motions Marcus to go on.

Marcus explains the thoughts he's been having – the secrecy, the evasiveness.

"I just don't understand," Marcus says. "And part of me wonders if I'm being naive…if I'm letting my attraction to her override my common sense, my good judgment. By all rights, these should be red flags. I should be suspicious of her, not…"

"Falling in love with her?" his father asks with a smile. Marcus grins back sheepishly and nods.

"Son…" Now it's his father's turn to stand and pace slowly. "Do you trust me?"

Marcus is surprised.

"Of course I trust you, Father," he says, meaning it. "I think you're just about the only person I do trust right now, except Mother, of course."

"Good," his father smiles at him, returning to his seat and sitting with a sigh. "Marcus, you're a good boy, a smart boy. I raised you to be smart, to trust your instincts. What do your instincts tell you about Evelyn?"

"That she might be evasive, but that she has good reason to be," Marcus says after a long pause. "I can't explain it, but I feel…I feel drawn to her, Father. I don't feel any real suspicion about her motives. She's saved your life more times than I can count, at this point.

"I just…I don't understand. If she is in trouble, or needs to hide her background…why can't she trust me? Nicole didn't trust me, and…" Marcus trails off, feeling a pang of conflict in his heart. It feels disloyal to both Evelyn and Nicole, thinking of them together, in the same moment.

His father smiles gently again, an understanding smile this time.

"Son," he says. "I'm going to ask you to trust me. I can't tell you Evelyn's story, but would it be enough for you to know that I know her full background?"

Now Marcus is shocked.

"You do?" he asks incredulously.

"I do," his father confirms. "And I know it must hurt, knowing that she feel she can't give you that information herself just yet. But please, son, if you trust me…"

"I do," Marcus says quickly. "I do trust you, and your judgment, Father."

"Then trust that Evelyn has very, very good reasons for being evasive," his father says. "And she wants more than anything to be able to share them with you. But the timing isn't right yet. Don't judge her for that, son. She's only doing what's best for all of us."

Marcus is silent for a long moment, then nods.

"Thank you, Father," he says.

"Any time, my dear boy," his father says, picking up his book again. "Now, you'd best be getting upstairs, or you're going to be late."

Evelyn is stunningly beautiful, Marcus thinks, watching her from across the table as she laughs at something their server has said. They've spent the evening mainly talking about themselves, their interests, the books they've been reading lately.

Now, with dessert delivered and the sake refilled, they settle in to more serious matters.

"We're going to have to wait for him to strike again," Evelyn says, looking worried. "I don't like that, not at all. It's so dangerous."

"What more can we do?" Marcus asks. "But I agree with you. I feel like a sitting duck, knowing they're gunning for me, too, and having no way of knowing what they're going to try, or when."

"Charles has truly gotten desperate, I believe," Evelyn says. "I'm worried that the attempt on your father won't be the last attempt he makes. He's going to try again – both to kill the Alpha, and possibly to kill you, too."

"I'll watch my back," Marcus says, reaching for her hand and squeezing it comfortingly. "I'm more worried about you."

"Me?" Evelyn asks in surprise.

"If nothing else, you ruined his last murder attempt," Marcus points out. "You're not safe, either. Especially if he's spiraling."

Evelyn takes a sip of her sake, swallows, bites her lower lip.

"I guess all we can do is wait and see," she says.