Again, he listened patiently, taking everything in. Even his own mother told her not to tell him. And his father, too. His father did know him too well. If Evangeline had said anything earlier, Josh would have gone completely ballistic and broken up with her, so he wouldn't be hurt in the long run. But, he had been hurt anyways. The love he felt for her was too overwhelming though, and nothing could break them apart. A scowl crossed his face as the car pulled out and a man stepped out, berating her on being late. Who was he to tell her what to do? Before he could say anything, his future wife stepped in and told him off, politely. Keys were thrown to her and he glanced down at them in her hands, face still impassive. He had to say something. Anything to get this awkwardness out of the way. He looked into Evangeline's eyes and saw tears begin to form in them, tears forming in his as well. Of course she'd been scared to tell him! She just agreed to marry him, therefore loved him greatly, and didn't want to ruin it. This angry-to-reasonable thought process happened in about three seconds, ending with Josh grabbing her and pulling her into a big hug. He said nothing, just held her, his face nuzzled in her neck like when they had spent their first night together, so long ago. And they'd spent almost every night since then together, except when she had to work late hours, or Josh was invited out. They hadn't gotten around to sex yet, Josh saying he wanted to save that for when they were truly ready.
So many thoughts came to his mind then as he stood hugging her, getting the scent from her beautifully long hair. He had asked her to grow it out nice and long, and she did that. Nice and long. Silky and smooth. Like her legs when she came out of the shower. Their real first date. Their first little fight. And then this: this could've been a huge fight, but it was their last night together, their last moment together for who-knows-how-long. "I love you, Evangeline," he whispered in her ear, pulling his face around to hers and kissing her like it was their first, and last, kiss. It broke his heart to know she had to go, a half hour drive from where they were now, but he had always told her education, job, and then him. In that order. And this happened to be her job. "Is there any chance I could come over tonight? Hopefully give you the other half of my proposal?" A sly smile spread across his lips, but sadness still lingered in his hazel eyes, expecting her to say no, she had to unpack, or no, she had stuff to do in the morning. Expect the negative and you won't be disappointed.
Evangeline's eyes widened as he pulled her to him, nuzzling her neck like he had done so many times before. The keys dangled from her index finger before she let her arms wrap around his frame gently. As he pulled his face around to hers and kissed her, she let her eyes close as she sank into the kiss. Would he be all right with this? They would see each other rarely and when they would have time together they would have to stay in her loft and not go anywhere. Right now....the press was trying to put her in the spotlight and her manager wanted to wait for that. Well, at least for as long as possible. As the kiss broke she smiled softly. "I love you too Josh..." she said softly as she rested her head against his chest. He may not be happy about it but at least he was accepting it.
As he asked to come over that night with her she nodded and smiled. "Of course you can. I actually have a slow day tomorrow. I do not have anything planned until the late afternoon." Technically she was free tomorrow but she had an errand to run to her old home. Plus she wanted to visit her parents' grave as well. Handing Josh the slip of paper with the address on it she smiled. "That's the address. I will go on ahead if that is okay...There are a few things I need to unpack. Max, Drake, and your parents took care of most of it for me all ready," she admitted with a sheepish smile. She leaned up and pressed her lips against his gently but deeply. "I'm sure you could stay a couple days if you really wanted to...because once I debut...Well...I'm sure you can imagine how busy I will be.." she said as she opened her car door. What would the other half of his proposal be? She smirked to herself as she slid into her car. "Meet you there?" she said. She waited until he got into his car before she started her own car and began to drive.
The drive was slow, the female sighed as she pondered for a moment. Hopefully she could clear up all the mess that her parents had landed her into before her debut. That was the main reason she was going to be busy. She had to juggle her debut, Josh, and now her past. After a while of driving she pulled into the parking lot and got out, carrying the bag with her. She rushed inside and used the elevator, being taken to the top floor. As it opened there were only two doors in view. "Number 1022.." she muttered as she tried the key and opened the door. As she stepped in her mouth dropped open. The loft was beautiful. The large window exposed the view of the city, the female running to it and looking down. She went to the bedroom next and smiled. The bed was a queen with black and blue sheets, different posters and art hung on the walls. She could already see pictures of her with Josh and her family spread on the large dresser. The bathroom had a large garden tub big enough to fit two people and a walk in shower. Taking the bag off of her shoulder she walked into her room and pushed it underneath the large bed and giggled. "This place is perfect..." she sighed seeing a few boxes in the corner. She would unpack those later....after she spent some times with Josh.
He agreed to staying a couple days, saying he had to go home and pick up some things first before heading over. The address was in his hand as he went to his car, waving to his fiancee as she hopped in her car. He took off to the house as fast as he could, always obeying the speed limit, and went straight to his room. When he came back downstairs, his mother was standing with his father at the front door, tears streaming down her face and his fathers' hand resting on her shoulder. "Son," he began, smiling to his boy. "We just wanted to say how proud we are of you for sticking with Evangeline through everything, like a good Christian boy, and a good friend. And we hope you two have a happy life together." At this point, his mother began to wail, turning away from him.
Josh's face turned to confusion as he watched his mother for a second. "I'm coming back," he said, pulling her into a tight hug. "I'm just going for a few days before she starts her big debut thing and becomes too famous for me."
"So, there's no wedding?" his mother asked through tears, wetting her sons' shirt in the process.
"No, there is. Just gonna hold it off for awhile. I have to go. I'll see you guys in a few days. Love you, Mom," he said, kissing her on the cheek. His father stopped him before he left though, pulling him into a hug.
"You're a man now. Act like one," he said and chuckled, letting his son leave.
Josh shook his head in confusion at the whole thing and hopped in his Mustang, driving to Evangeline's place and buzzing 1022, just like the slip of paper said.
Evangeline paused for a long while as she just took in her new home. It was perfect...such a shame she would only be living in it for a year. Standing up she looked at the boxes in the corner as she them with disdain. She might as well finish unpacking. Going to the boxes she sighed to herself. It was just some of her parents notebooks and things they had left her. She didn't need those sitting out. That part of her...she would rather stay locked up. She began to move the boxes into the back of the closet, wrinkling her nose as her thoughts went wild. Tomorrow was going to be a big day...as would all the days after that.
Ten minutes later she finished moving all the boxes she needed to and changed into a black sports bra and a pair of black yoga pants with a guitar printed on the thigh. Her hair was tied up into a high pony tail, her feet enjoying the feel of the hardwood floor. She heard the room buzz, knowing Josh had arrived. Her smile was wide, as she went to the door, noticing a few of her promotional posters spread out in the loft. She really did look like she had been doing this her whole life. She left the loft and went downstairs to collect Josh. As she exited she smiled as she beckoned for him to get into the elevator, a few people in the lobby waving and trying to snap pictures of her. As he got in and the door closed she smiled and leaned up as she kissed him. She couldn't wait to show him the place.
As they arrived on her floor, the door opened and she skipped out, opening the door to her loft. "This place is so pretty." She looked like a child on Christmas. That much was apparent. She gently walked behind Josh and pushed him gently to her bedroom and giggled. "You can set your stuff in here. The closet is a bit of a mess right now with some boxes so don't go in there." In truth she didn't want him in there because her weapons and some of her parents things were in there. She went to the bed and sat as she stared at him curiously. "So..what do you think?" she asked. She hoped he would be spending quite a bit of time there. She thought the place was very nice but she wasn't sure how Josh would feel. The female was really curious as to what the second half of his proposal was though she didn't say it out loud. She figured he would tell her when he got settled.
A huge smile spread across his face as he saw his love, who collected him and made a mad dash for the elevator. People snapped photos of them together, and he figured it would end up in some stupid magazine of famous people. Oh well, at least people would know that they were together! She led him to the loft and his mouth dropped as he took everything in, looking out the window to the city below and the sky above. It was beautiful! The kitchen was huge, the living room was huge, the whole thing was huge! Then Josh was taken into the bedroom, where he threw his stuff on the floor and pounced on Evangeline as she sat on the bed. He pinned his body against hers, his hips between her thighs and her wrists above her head. "I like it," he said, kissing her passionately on the lips. "So, since we're here...alone...I'd like to propose the second half of my proposal." He cocked his head to the side in confusion as he thought about his sentence just then, and shook his head, dismissing the thought. He pressed his hips into her a little, hinting at something, and biting his lip in anticipation.
Evangeline let out a giggle as Josh pounced on her, pinning her to the bed. Her eyes stared into his as a smile crept on her face. She couldn't imagine a better way to spend her last night of freedom together. As his lips pressed into hers, she returned the powerful kiss eagerly, her eyes closed. Who would have thought that a relationship like this would have ever blossomed between the two of them. His father had put her parents in prison who had later been put to death. She should hate him for being associated with his father but yet...this had happened. It was something she had not expected and she was pretty sure that Josh had not expected this to happen the first night she had showed up.
As Josh began to speak the female smiled softly as his hips pressed into hers. She wasn't completely oblivious. She knew he had been waiting for the right time and she had to. She was the type to normally wait till marriage but...it was unreasonable now a days. Also....with so many things going on in her life....she knew that passing up on any opportunity to be with Josh could be her last. She did her best to lean up, considering she was pinned to the bed, and pressed her lips against Josh's own sweetly in acceptance. With her new life slowly starting to sink into her mind....she knew that the road ahead would be rough and she needed to do whatever she could to protect Josh and their relationship.
A huge smile spread across his face, which was soon muted as his lover kissed him on the lips. Josh knew she was a virgin, and he wasn't, so he knew to take it slow and be very careful. "I love you," he whispered before continuing with his actions. He kissed her softly, over her lips, her face, down her neck, over the sports bra and down her abdomen, stopping just above the top of her pants. These he pulled off with his hands to reveal her undergarments, where he stripped his off as well and proceeded to kiss her lips again. Then, he pulled his shirt off, and they were both pretty naked, save for their underwear.
Evangeline knew that Josh would be gentle with her. She had no doubts. As he said those three little words, the female couldn't help but feel her heart race. Those three little words which she had been warned to never get involved with...to never feel...have...or treasure....seemed to make her world seem much more bright than the twisted and dark world she had grown to know. "I love you too..." she whispered as she felt his lips explore her body. She felt most of their clothes come off, the female entangling her fingers in his hair as she kissed her fiance deeply. This night she planned to treasure deeply.
~*~
Panting and sweating, the female closed her eyes as she laid against the pillows of the bed, pulling the covers around her body. Her sapphire eyes gazed at Josh as she snuggled close to him. It really had been more wonderful than she had expected. He was gentle and could feel each of their emotions pouring out. She ran her fingers through her hair as she attempted to straighten it. She was silent for the longest time, her face nuzzling Josh's neck affectionately as she kissed his cheek. She was tired and after the roller coaster ride of emotions that day...sleep was deserved. "I love you Josh..." she said sweetly as she pressed a tender kiss against his lips before settling back down and closing her eyes. The next couple of weeks...would be nothing compared to this night.
~*~
Evangeline had been quite right. The days that proceeded had been hectic. Her debut had gone better than expected. Her first song had been a huge success that went platinum in under a month. It was upbeat and had more of a rock feel to it. That was the genre she enjoyed and she certainly had a voice for it. Her next single did just as well. It was a ballad she had written one night while with Josh. She had played it for him and he had been the first to hear it. To her, it was their song and every time she heard it...their relationship came into her mind. The music video shoots, the interviews...the performances....it was all dream like. On top of all that, her and Josh's relationship seemed to blossom. The met at least once a week in between appointments and he had even been allowed on set for her music videos a couple of times. Things seemed too good to be true...in fact....they were.
Evangeline began to drive back to the loft, excited to see Josh the next day. She was finally allowed some time off before the start of her tour. She would be touring all over the world for a year and even make her debut in Japan while there. She had offered for Josh to come with her but she wasn't sure if he would or not. She would be gone for such a long time...but her agent assured her that after she returned, she would be allowed time off for a full year to get married and even start a family if she wanted to.
She made her way into the parking lot, getting out of her car and heading into her loft. As she arrived to her floor, she went to it, her eyes narrowing. It was ajar. Biting her lip she pulled out a knife from her boot and carefully pushed the door open. So far, it looked untouched. She didn't relax just yet. For months she had hunted those who supported her family, tired of their harassment and threats. Had one entered her apartment? She not killed anyone...just given them enough injuries to send out a warning.
From a young age her parents had raised her and trained her to fight. They did it to protect herself. They had known that she knew about their deadly little secret, but at the same time...they had trained her to be prepared for the life they would leave her with. Before they died they told her to be careful...that very dangerous people would be after her. They told her to not get attached to anyone for it would only bring her down. She had partly listened, not wanting to give Josh. Little did she know that would be a blessing and a curse.
She went for her bedroom, seeing someone rummaging around. She threw the knife, hitting him square in the back. As he fell to the floor she heard him shout, several pairs of running feet entering the loft. Cursing she went straight to the closet and closed the door, picking up her phone and dialing Josh. She already knew that she couldn't take on that many people. She heard a click, not sure whether or not it went to voice-mail or he had picked it up. "Josh...I love you so much...there are people in the apartment...that...support my parents...and...I'm scared." The door thrust open, the female screaming as they grabbed her. "Help me! Let go of me!" she screamed, the phone dropping to the floor. She grabbed another spare knife from her boot and slashed out, slicing through a man's hand. blood poured to the floor.
She continued to slash, completely surrounded. She fought, many of the men slashing out at her with their own daggers. A gun shot rang through the apartment, Evangeline's eyes widening as she saw the man holding it. "You traitor! How could you!" A shot rang as Evangeline screamed, a bullet entering her shoulder. Several more shots were fired, Evangeline ducking to avoid them, a bullet entering her calf. She fell to the floor as the man stood over her. "Why....please...don't.." She felt a pain in the back of her neck, her world going black. She was collected and taken from the apartment, broken glass and blood staining the floor and her phone that lay lit in the center of her bedroom.
As Evangeline and Josh lay cuddling, she whispered in his ears the sweetest thing he heard from her, and it made his heart skip a beat every time it was said. She kissed him on the lips and nuzzled into his body, the heat emanating from both of them. He kissed the top of her head. "I love you, too, kitten," he said and fell asleep.
~*~
It was hard trying to survive with Evangeline always busy and on the news, always good news, about how she was rising to the top of the charts rapidly, and at such a young age. Single after single was released, and eventually she was signed for a tour that would take a whole year. She had offered for him to go with her, but there was so much to do, Josh didn't know how to answer so he had told her that he would think about it. Thankfully, she had gotten the day off today and they were going to spend it together, figure something out that would be fun...maybe sex again. Josh chuckled to himself as he hopped into his mustang. Then, his phone rang, and as he answered it something was wrong with his line, not being able to send it over to hers, so all Evangeline heard was a click.
"Josh...I love you so much...there are people in the apartment...that...support my parents...and...I'm scared."
"Eva? What the hell is going on? Evangeline!?"
"Help me! Let go of me!"
A gun shot... Josh immediately started the mustang and started the half hour drive to his lovers' loft, knowing that he wouldn't make it in time, but hoping that by some odd chance or by Gods' grace that he would make it.
"You traitor! How could you?!" Who the hell held a gun to her?
"Why....please...don't.." More shots. She could be dead by now! He screamed into the phone, a tear streaming down his face as he swerved in and out of traffic. Then, silence on the other line. There was nothing. No crying, no swearing, no footsteps. No static. Dead. Perhaps like his love. He hung up and called the police, telling them everything he could. They would get there before he did. As he rounded the corner to head onto the highway, his car slowed to the match the speed of traffic. Rush hour. People coming home from work to their families, to spend the evening with their loved ones. "God ******** dammit!" Josh swore, hitting his steering wheel and cursing some more. Anger welled within him and it took a lot to not cry while driving, which he considered foolishly dangerous. What was he going to do?
It was maybe an hour later when he finally reached her apartment, the police having already arrived and the CSI-people doing their job to figure out what had happened. One officer tried to stop him, but he explained quickly that he was the starlet's fiance, and he was let in. The leader of the force approached him with a sad look on his face. "I'm sorry, son. Your fiancee has been shot and kidnapped. We're doing the best we can to find her," he said and patted him on the back reassuringly. "She is alive, don't you worry about that."
"Can you tell me who did it?" Josh's knees felt weak and he thought he was going to throw up, but he kept his calm for now.
"Associates of her parents," he replied rather coldly. "There is a dead man in her bedroom, a knife in his back. We assume they were here to kill her or kidnap her, as already done, and she defended herself, rather well I may add. Don't worry, we will find her." With that, he left Josh to stand alone in the hallway, looking at the poster of the one he loved.
Dark...cold...empty...pain...That was all Evangeline felt. She didn't know where she was taken but she did know by whom and why. That attack had confirmed her suspicions more than ever. Right before her parents died she had visited them, listening to their warning. They had warned her that people that supported their work would come after her if they found out where she lived and even her profession. They begged her to keep a low profile and to not get involved with anyone. Leo had been friends of the family for a long time and upon their death began to teach Evangeline how to fight to survive and fight to kill. In order to be able to live, she had to think like those that came after her.
It was hard at first...trying to get into the mind set that wounding people was not the way to go. Sometimes death was the best way to survive. There had been many nights when she had left Josh's home to deal with her parents fanatics so that they wouldn't come after Josh and his family. She had wounded many of them and killed only a couple that tried to go farther than what they dared. It haunted her most nights. Once her career began the attacks stopped...right after she met...
A bag was pulled off her head, the female coughing as her eyes adjusted to the dim light. Where was she? She let out a moan of pain as the pain in her shoulder came full force. "Hurts...doesn't it?" The female cursed under her breath as the voice drew closer. "That is only a fraction of the pain and time you have wasted this organization since we took an interest in you," the voice spat venomously. Evangeline's sapphire eyes seemed to burn with hate and betrayal. "Max....how could you! I trusted you!" Her manager stepped into the dim light as he took her chin roughly and brought it close. "Which is why you are here. You have already proven yourself to be capable of continuing your parent's work and paying the debt they owe to us."
Evangeline knew all about the debt. Her parents had people on the inside helping with the clean up and even the false leads. They didn't do it all on their own. It had cost them a lot to keep their name off the list of suspects until Josh's father had found them. They never could repay their debt, so now it fell to her. The debt wasn't about money....it was about things much more important than that. It required her services and unless she could find a way out...she would be stuck here for a long time.
"Take her to her room and lock it tight. Send in her little guard dog. He can keep her on a tight leash." Evangeline felt herself being roughly pulled from the chair by her good arm and thrusted forward. She did her best to keep her balance as she walked, looking around for any sign to where she was. The female was terrified and her eyes showed it but she moved calmly. The place she was in looked expensive to say the least but underground. That would make it harder to track. As she was pushed into a dimly lit room she fell forward, the doors slamming behind her. Her hands were tied, the female growling to herself as she looked around. The room had burgandy walls with a matching queen size canopy bed. There looked to be a bathroom attached to it as well. Looking for something sharp the door opened, Evangeline glancing at another familar face.
"Eva....you should have seen this coming," Drake purred as he continued to advance towards the female. She continued to back up, knowing she could only go so far. She tripped, landing on the bed hard as Drake moved quickly to pin her to the soft comforter. "We have unfinished business you and I. I can guarantee your little disappearance with be all over the news. Don't count on Josh to find you either....no one knows of this place." Evangeline squirmed, wincing at the pain in her shoulder. "Is Leo in on this too?" Drake laughed. "Of course not. Frankly...I wasn't until I knew you and that pest were serious. Then this gave me a reason to come after you. He did serve this place for years but I doubt he knows of this location." He let his hands roam, Evangeline's eyes wide with fear as she screamed and kicked. "Let's have a little fun shall we?" She screamed Josh's name over and over again......wishing he could save her from all this. Evangeline knew that right now...only Drake and guards outside could hear her screams.
Josh returned to his home with the news of Evangeline, and all he could do was sit in her old room on the bed and look around. It seemed to echo with her voice, haunting his very senses with memories of her: the way her hair smelled after a shower, the taste of her lips, the silky smooth feeling of her neck, the way she sang when she was happy or sad, and the way she looked at him. It broke his heart as he thought about her, thinking about various things about her. He remembered back to her work place before all the fame and decided to pay Leo a visit, see how he was holding up, if he knew at all yet. Probably did. Paparazzi had a way of getting into every nook and cranny involving famous people and their unexplained disappearances. As he pulled his mustang into the parking lot, he noticed that it was empty, nearly dead. He went to the door and walked in, Leo looking up from the counter, a weak smile on his face. Josh walked over to him and after a moments' friendly silence, they hugged quickly then pulled away. "How're you holding up?" he asked.
"I can't believe she's gone," Leo replied...
Evangeline laid there for hours, her shoulder aching with each passing moment. She was almost completely broken after all that Drake had done to her. She had moments to herself to rest and think. Drake was gone for now, having to return to normal life. She was thankful for that....very thankful. She rose from the sheets and walked to the window that was high up, seeing the street and stray feet. If she could just reach it....she could possibly escape. If she did escape....then....she would have to tell Josh most everything about her....that was something she didn't want to look forward too. Her sapphire eyes scanned the room. If she could push the bed into the corner and climb up...she could smash through the window and climb out. But first she had to get her restraints off.
It was evening when Evangeline had figured out how to escape. Leaning down she crouched and stepped through her arms, bringing the around front. She went to the bed and began push. After twenty minutes of this she finally had it in position. Using the fabric she hoisted herself up on top of the bed, balancing on the thin pieces of metal that connected. The female bit her lip as she smashed her hands that were tied together against the window. She repeated this several time, her fists blood, her shoulder oozing blood. As the glass broke, she took a stray piece and cut herself loose. The door burst open, the guards yelling that she was escaping. With out a moment to loose she scambled through the open window, feel shards of glass embedding themselves into her sides and back. Bloodied, clothes torn and barefoot she ran, hoping she was close to someone she knew.
~*~
Leo gazed at Josh thoughtfully with his old tired eyes. Evangeline was like a daughter to him and see this happen....He carefully made his way to the back, gesturing for Josh to follow. "The news said that her being kidnapped was done by supporters of her parents....That girl....I warned her to not get mixed up with them..." He began to fill some glasses with water, handing one to Josh. "Ever since her parents died Eva has done everything she could to find out why they did what they did. She spent hours here working and going through their old things that I kept here for her. I've known her since she was a little girl..." He took a sip of the water and shook his head. "So how much do you really know about her?" he questioned.
Leo had trained the female for many years. She was good with knives more so than guns but still. Seeing no more customers arriving, he locked the front door and turned off the lights, knowing that closing would be soon any way. "Good help is hard to find these days....When Evangeline left Drake left too. Two of my best workers.....he has been missing since he found out about you proposing to little Eva. Broke is heart I believe it did..." He sat back down and moaned. He felt he was getting too old for this.
~*~
Evangeline ran down the street, sticking close to the shadows. She was near Leo and that was good enough. He would help her...he would keep her safe. The female kept the shards of glass close to her, knowing it was her only weapon to defend herself with. As she arrived at the Asian Bistro she cursed...seeing the front door locked. Someone had to be here right. She went around back and instantly regretted it, seeing three men all clad in black. They knew she would be here.
The first one lashed out, Evangeline dodging and slashing with the large shards of glass. It began to bite into the palm of her hand, her blood mixing with the blood of her attackers. A gun shot rang through the night, the female screaming as it went into her left calf. She fell to one knee, her sapphire eyes burning with hate. She continued to fight as her life depended on it, because quite frankly it did. The back door opened, Leo standing there with shuriken in his palm. He through them out, the remaining two assailants falling to the ground...motionless.
Evangeline looked up and began to cry, seeing Leo still there. Leo went to her, had telling Josh to stay put earlier. "Explain later....we need to get you inside before more of them come...we need to get out of here..." Despite his age he leaned down and helped the female to her feet, guiding her inside as she hopped. Going into the back her eyes lifted as she saw Josh in the back room where she had made so many memories. She must have looked a mess....Her hair was tangled and matted with blood. She had two bullets in her; one in her shoulder and one in her calf. Her clothes were torn and soaked with blood and glass from her escape. On top of that she was crying, covered in dirt, and holding a pieces of glass.
Leo went to her hand and whispered gently. "Let go of the glass Evangeline...your safe now..." The female shook her head. "No we are not Leo! We have to get the F*** out of here before more come. Please Leo we have to leave please..." she kept going on and on, tears streaming down her face. She was scared, injured and exhausted. Leo sighed, nodding to Josh to go to her. "Get her in the car and I will meet you outside. We need to get her to a hospital first." Leo quickly went out back, knowing he would have to clean up the mess.
Josh dropped the glass in his hand and made a mad dash for Evangeline as Leo helped her in, holding her close to him. He nodded in acknowledgment as he said to get her to the hospital. "It's okay, love. You're safe now. I'm going to drive you to the hospital," he said, helping her into the mustang and driving the short distance to the building. He had his right hand on her thigh the whole time, trying to calm her down. Once inside, he rushed her over to the desk and said to the lady they needed a doctor right now, a woman had been shot twice and desperately needed help. He didn't ask her any questions, just let her try to remain calm. Leo eventually caught up with them, following the duo into an empty room where the doctor immediately began undressing Eva and ushering the boys out. Surgery needed to be performed to get the bullets out.
As Josh went to her and helped her into the Mustang she seemed numb and scared all over. "We don't have time for this....we need to get out of here! Please.....You don't understand what we are dealing with!" Josh didn't say a word but just kept his hand on her thigh. Seeing as it would do her no good she kept her mouth shut, trying to calm her mind. Even as they pulled into the hospital and she was taken into a room to be undressed and examined, she knew the doctor would be shocked at all the damage.
As the boys were ushered out of the room surgery began right away. Evangeline refused to be put under. The doctor ordered blood to be given and the bullets to be removed. Three hours passed as they removed the bullets and administered blood to the female. They removed all the shards of glass and stiched her up as well. Done with his report and surgery, the doctor and nurses took her back to the room, the female wincing as they moved her from bed to bed.
Seeing the female return from surgery, Leo went straight up to the doctor as he spoke in hushed tones. "She has lost a lot of blood and was raped multiple times....we will have to call the police to come in and do a full examination of her. We swabbed her and have everything ready for the crime lab. She needs rest...and lots of it. I only reccommend one person going in right now." Leo nodded as the doctor walked away, ready to clean off. "Go see her...." Leo said to Josh, a few nurses exiting the private room as well.
Evangeline laid there and sighed. She hated being connected to all of these machines. She took off the oxygen mask and the IV, only keeping in the needle that gave her blood. She felt weak, tired, upset, and afraid. She wanted to get out of her....she wanted to see Josh. She just....The female wanted a lot of things and right now...more than ever....she knew that things would be much harder if she didn't tell Josh everything. She settled down, her eyes glazed over as she gazed out the window. Those fanatics could come at anytime....she didn't have time to stand still like this....Tears rolled down her cheeks as she closed her eyes. It was only a matter of time...before she was caught again...
Josh immediately went in, knocking lightly to let his presence be known, and pulled up a chair next to his love. He locked eyes with her and said nothing, resting his chin on the backs of his hands. After a moment of staring at her, he sighed and ran his hand through his hair, then moved to sit on the edge of the bed beside her, resting his hand on hers. "The doctor says they'll call the police in here to get a full report," he said, trying to make small talk, albeit a little bit awkwardly. "And he said you need lots of rest. Can you please tell me what's going? It's like I don't even know you anymore."
Evangeline felt and heard Josh enter, seeing his reflection in the window. He was silent as he sat there before moving closer to her. She didn't lock eyes with him, even as he spoke. Those words were ones she expected to hear but all at the same time it broke her heart. "Josh..." she didn't want to tell him because once he knew....he would never be able to turn back. Once he knew...he couldn't back. She searched his eyes for a moment and bit her lip. She would have to tell him...and if he left her...then...maybe it was safest for him.
Taking a deep breath, the sapphire eyed female took his hand in hers for a moment before letting it fall. "I will tell you...but...once I do....things will...be much different." Taking one more breath she began, Leo slipping in and leaning against the door as he listened. "Near the time my parents died...I visited them....and they warned me...of a group that supported them and wanted their work to continue." She paused for a small moment before continuing. "They warned that those I love and myself especially would be in danger. They would come after me and force me to try and continue what they started...and...pay the debt they owed." She let the information sink in before continuing. "After they died, Leo came to me and told me that he could train me to defend myself...." She shook her head. "I don't think...thats the right choice of words...I suppose more than defend myself...it would be to defend those I loved and kill those who came after me..."
After saying those words she bit her lip as tears streamed down. "Those nights I didn't come home until hours before school...I was training with Leo. And....do you remember that night a few weeks before graduation when you woke up and I was gone and I was in the bathroom really sick?" That night she had made her first kill and it hurt her bad. She had not gotten hurt but killing that fanatic had taken a toll on her. "On of my parents' supporters showed up at your house...and...he was going to come after your family because your father...put them away. I went out to try to get him to run away...and I instead killed him without meaning to...." Her eyes closed...the memories still fresh. "Almost every night since then I have defended that house. Things calmed down after I met Max.." His name seemed to drip with venom as she spat it.
"I was kidnapped from the loft and taken to their headquarters...I don't know where it was....Max...had been running the show...the whole time...which means it wasn't a fluke that he became my manager and...this whole time....Drake had been giving him tabs on my location..." She felt betrayed even though she knew Josh never took too kindly to the male. "Max questioned me....and when I refused they took me to a back room where Drake...." she couldn't even finish the sentence choking on a sob. She didn't know what Josh would do now. Would he freak out? Would he accept it? Leo walked over and placed a hand on the female's head and patted it gently. "You survived....thats all that counts. You didn't let them break you.....Shhh now little angel...shhh..." Seeing the cops outside he walked out, deciding to give Josh some time to process the information Evangeline had given him. As he left, Evangeline took off the ring and laid it next to her her heart breaking as she spoke. "You can either take the ring...and leave...I wouldn't blame you if you did...after all that I have had to hide from you..." She stood, wincing as she did so, her calf aching. "Or....you can give it back to me and promise that no matter what happens...you won't get yourself killed...and I will do...whatever it takes...to get this part of my life...to end." Her eyes were full of tears but sincere as she looked at her one true love. The choice was his to make now....
Phoebe Majere Community Member 
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