The first time she got her period would stay with her forever. She’d screamed the entire gym down. At twelve, she thought she was dying. Ned, along with five of his men, charged into the bathroom. The stall had been locked, and the conversation through the metal still made her cringe. The men had laughed at her but promised to be kind now she was a lady.
Shaking her head, Eva picked up a clean towel to dry all the dishes she’d used. None of the men working for her father hurt her either. They made her feel special, but she knew her shape was not for every man. She loved her food, and cooking came naturally to her.
Tiny was still locked away in his office. He joined her for their sandwiches and abandoned her when he finished. Switching off the light she headed upstairs to her room. She tugged each case off her bed, sliding them across the room to her wardrobe. Her time in Tate’s and Tiny’s lives was coming to an end. She felt it and knew there was no way she could change her mind.
Grabbing her phone, she dialed her father’s number.
“Hey, princess, how are you doing? Do you need me to pick you up now?” Ned Walker answered on the first ring. Her father had always been there for her. She felt a little guilty for getting up and leaving him without a word. “I’ll be on the first flight out.”
“No, Dad, you don’t need to come early. I just wanted to make sure you were coming out on Friday. I don’t want to be waiting around and you not be here to pick me up.”
“Have I ever let you down?” he asked.
Rolling her eyes, she shook her head and then realized he wasn’t in the same room. It was a good thing he wasn’t in the same room. If he saw her na**d he’d kill Tiny on the spot.
“No, you’ve never let me down.”
“Then what is this about? Are you changing your mind?”
“No, it’s time for me to come home. Tate is grown up, and I’ve pissed you off enough.”
She sat on the end of the bed wishing she hadn’t called him. Ned always did see too much.
“It’s not a bad thing to be in love with a man, Eva.”
“I know.”
“Admittedly, I’d prefer you to be in love with a man your own age, but I guess there are worse men out there. He’s … erm … he’s not hurting you or anything, is he?”
“What? No, I mean Tiny will hurt anyone who tries to hurt me. He’s like you, Dad. Hard yet soft at the same time.” She chuckled at his annoyed sigh.
“I’m not soft with anyone else.”
The words sobered her up. She knew her father was no saint. He hurt anyone who stood in his path or threatened his family. Eva knew who was responsible for her mother’s death, but she wasn’t going to get into that. Someone else had told her the truth about her mother a long time ago.
“I know. I need to come away. Clear my head. Everything is always the same at the moment, and I need to know my own mind.”
“I’ll be there early. I’m catching a flight, but I can’t be away too long so don’t go changing your mind at the last moment. I’ve got a fight to get to on Saturday.”
“Okay, I’ll see you soon. Don’t forget to bring three gifts. There are three women expecting.”
“You’re all breeding like f**king rabbits. Fine, I’ll pick something up.”
She chuckled before hanging up the phone. She did love and miss her father. He’d stayed away when she asked him to, not wanting him near her when she was in pain. Ned Walker was a force to be reckoned with and would probably make Tiny look like a little teddy bear in comparison.
Leaving the bedroom she took a quick shower to wash away the day. She didn’t give a thought about Tiny. Usually when he was locked inside his office there was no chance of him leaving the room for a good few hours.
Eva closed her eyes letting the spray wash over her face and body. She held her neck recalling the feel of Tiny’s hands all over her body. His fingers were rough from hard work and made her skin feel so sensitive when he touched her. Every time his palms touched her she felt owned by him. She never knew touch could captivate her as much as his was able to. Her body never felt like her own. It was as if he’d programmed her to respond to him and him alone.
“Are you trying to wash me away?” Tiny asked, startling her.
Jerking at his sudden presence, she slipped on the cold tile and almost tumbled through the glass door. Tiny caught her around the waist bringing her up against his body. The easy way he held her startled her. His arms banded around her protecting her from harm.
“Be careful. I’m not in the mood to visit the hospital with you again. You’ve been there far too much.”
He released her and spun her around to face him.
“I only wanted a shower, and you should wear a f**king bell or something. Don’t you know not to creep up on someone, let alone a woman?”
Tiny shrugged. “I told you tonight was mine. I’ve already wasted an hour with work when I promised you my attention.” He gripped her hair, wrapping the length around his fist.
Tilting her head back, Eva had no choice but to follow his lead. He pulled on the length then turned her back to the spray.
“Have you ever been f**ked in the shower?” he asked.
She kept her eyes closed to stop herself from getting water in them. “Yes,” she said.
He tensed behind her. “Who with?” He growled the question at her.
“Someone you will never know.”
“You’re lying.” Tiny turned her back to face him.
“No, I’m not lying. I wasn’t a virgin when you took me. I’ve had a lot of sex before I met you. I just don’t advertise what I’ve done.”
“You’ve not been f**ked in the ass.”
Her cheeks warmed. “I know.”
“Who f**ked you in the shower?” Tiny asked.
Was he jealous, or was she seeing things?
“I’m not telling you.” He wouldn’t let her go. Reaching behind her, she covered his hands with her own. “Let me go.”
“No, I want to know who touched you.”
“You’ve been married, Tiny. You’ve f**ked enough women to last you a lifetime. I know. I’ve seen you in action.” Glaring up at him, Eva would not back down.
“I don’t like it.”
Tiny didn’t need to know she’d only been with one man before him. Her past would stay there.
“You’ll have to deal with it,” Eva said. “I’m not a virgin. I gave that up a long time ago.”