manpower. Actually, I already told him that I wanted to pay.” Her chin notched up. “And I do fully intend to pay for the services you’ve given me this week.”
Wait…Harrison was letting her think that he was paying? Hadn’t Cole been clear on that point? He was covering Evie’s protection.
“But I can’t cover costs forever.” Evie’s voice was low. “I know Wilde is super expensive.”
They were, only she didn’t need to worry about that. “Who told you Wilde was expensive?”
She rolled back her shoulders and pointed toward Leo. He hadn’t been one of the touching dancers. He’d been busy providing instruction and making lots of notes during the routines. “Leo told me he knew this Hollywood actress who used Wilde’s services a while back. Gwenevere Solomon? And some rock star, too. According to Leo, Wilde caters to the rich and famous, so that means there has to be a heavy price tag.”
“Your brother is rich,” Chase reminded her.
“But I’m not. I make a good living, and I’m grateful for all that I have, but it’s not like I can keep paying out for protection over weeks, months or—” She stopped. “You get the picture.”
Cole did. “The bill is taken care of. You don’t have to worry about it.”
Her jaw tightened. “Because my brother—”
“Your brother is not fucking paying.” Shit. Those words just burst out.
Her eyes widened. “Then who is?”
Do not speak. He was not going to dig his hole any deeper.
“Evie!” Leo called. “We need you to finish up this routine. The ending isn’t working for me, and I want to know how you think the final moments should go.”
She didn’t look away from Cole. Suspicion sharpened her gaze. “Who is paying for my protection?”
“We can talk about it when you’re done.”
One hand went to her hip. “We can talk about it right now.”
Damn but she was even sexier when she was angry.
“Now, one more time, who is paying for my protection?”
“He is,” Chase supplied, cutting in with his chipper tone. “Cole volunteered to foot the bill for your protection detail.”
She stepped closer to Cole. “Why would you do that?”
Because it’s you.
“Evie!” Leo hurried toward her. “We only have the studio for thirty more minutes. And don’t forget, we’ve got the charity ball tonight. We need to finish up here and then go get gorgeous and extra glamorous before the big event.” He stopped behind her. Smiled at Cole and Chase. “Oh, there are two of them now.”
“You knew there were two,” Evie replied without looking his way. “You never miss anyone in your studio.”
“Well, of course, I don’t miss anyone. Can’t just have random people sneaking inside and trying to steal our choreography routines.” He huffed. “And don’t think that shit hasn’t happened before.” His voice rose. “Though, technically, it wasn’t a random person so much as that wannabe Michael Simmons and—”
She put her hand on his chest. “Don’t get worked up about him. You know you’re way better than he is.”
Leo exhaled. Seemed to calm. “You’re right.”
Evie’s stare was still on Cole. “We are going to talk about this situation. It’s not over.”
He nodded. They could definitely talk, but he would still keep footing the bill. Because he had the feeling that Evie was trying to pull the plug on Wilde’s services, and he wasn’t about to leave her unprotected. He knew that was precisely what the perps wanted.
As soon as she’s vulnerable, they’ll strike.
That was the way the assholes always worked.
Without another word, she headed back to the team of six male dancers. Cole couldn’t help it. He tried so very, very hard to keep his gaze up, but it fell because…
Evie’s ass is a thing of beauty.
Then Leo stepped in his way and blocked his view. “For the record,” Leo’s voice was loud. “She is a million miles out of your league.”
Of course, she was. “Tell me something I don’t know.”
Leo’s gaze turned dagger-like in intensity. Leo didn’t like Cole. Check. He’d gotten that message a few times.
They needed to work through this shit. “I’m keeping her safe,” Cole growled. So back the hell off.
Leo moved closer, and voice low, said, “I don’t want to see Evie get her heart broken just because some badass comes in and sweeps her off her feet. It would figure that Evie would have a weakness for badasses.” Leo sniffed and pointed to Cole. Then Chase.
Wait, Chase? Why the hell was Leo pointing at Chase? Cole jerked his thumb toward the other Wilde agent. “She’s not fucking interested in him.”
“She’s