“Jerald,” her father said.
A grimace of disgust crossed her face, and nausea filled her throat. Jerald was the junior pastor at her father’s church, but the man was a pig. Eve could always feel his slimy stare on her as they followed her. She’d heard a few of the women in the congregation complain about him touching them inappropriately.
“There’s no way in hell I’d ever marry that man. He’s a pervert, and you can’t make me.”
“She’s right. Besides, she is marrying me,” Patrick informed him and smiled down at her.
“Just wait,” he threatened. “You both will regret messing with me.”
Patrick kissed Eve’s knuckles. “Go on into the kitchen I’ll be right there.”
“But…”
“It’s all right. Your father and I are going to talk.”
She nodded, turned, and walked away without looking at her father. She hoped she never had to see him again in her life but doubted she’d get that dream.
She stood just inside the doorway to the kitchen and listened to the deep, angry voices. It wasn’t long before she heard the front door close. She moved away from the kitchen door and Patrick came through a moment later. He pulled her into his arms and she sighed.
“Are you all right?”
She nodded against his chest. “He’s going to make trouble, isn’t he?”
“God, I hope so.”
Eve’s gaze jerked to his face. She couldn’t believe the grin that was present and the eagerness in his gaze.
“What if he hurts you?”
He squeezed her. “Not going to happen. I don’t want you to worry about him anymore. I’m taking steps to protect you.”
“But…”
“No buts. Trust me to take care of you.”
She exhaled. “I do.”
“Good. Now let’s eat. I smell something good,” Patrick said and pulled her through the kitchen, waved to Agnes, and sat them at the table.
After dinner, they watched a movie before bedtime.
He turned off the TV and pulled Eve up beside him.
“Why don’t you go get ready for bed? I’ll be up shortly. I also want you to be in my bed from now on.”
Her heart lurched in her chest. She also wanted that. In fact, she didn’t want to go a minute without being near him.
****
Eve nodded and walked out of the room. Patrick made sure she was up in the bedroom before he dialed Darian.
“He was here.”
“What happened?” Darian asked.
“He told us she was engaged.”
“Shit.”