In The Safety Of A Lie - COMPLETED!

Chapter 17

Nakita wrapped herself up in a towel, walking out of the bathroom with fast, precise steps. She was still dripping water from her hair as her pace quickened.

"I am coming!" She yelled toward the front of the house. She wasn't too excited about her shower being interrupted by loud banging on the front door.

"If Ev forgot her key again, so help me..." Her mumble was cut off with her irritation. It was her only day off for the week and she had plans to take a nice, long, hot shower. Clearly, that wasn't going to happen.

Her fingers fumbled with the locks on the door until she was able to pull it open. Her eyes widened in surprise. "Joey? Come in." She beckoned him. He was the last person she had expected to see.

Joey didn't even notice his friend was wrapped in a towel, but as if suddenly realizing what he was doing he paused.

Nakita impatiently grabbed his arm and pulled him in with Jimmy in tow. "Come in." Her accent was heavy as she used all of her force to pull the two men inside.

Jimmy eyed up Nakita in her towel, but kept his mouth shut. He was clearly waiting to see what was going to happen next. The curiosity was in his eyes, not fazed in the least bit by being a captive.

Nakita returned Jimmy's look when she saw his hands bound together. "Joey? You are not bringing your work here are you?" She vaguely recognized the man in Joey's grasp. "You are still not on the best of terms with me after breaking Ev's heart. She will be back soon, by the way."

Joey swallowed hard, but didn't answer her question. He pulled Jimmy over to the couch and pushed him down on it. "Stay there."

"Wouldn't dream of going anywhere." He watched him carefully, waiting to see how the next few moments with this woman would play out. He didn't always invade Joey's personal life, but he was surprised to not know who this woman was.

Joey's jaw hardened as he backed away. He turned to face Nakita. His eyes were still searching around; they were less wild, but still uncertain. The panic had calmed a bit, but not enough to slow down his pulse. His expression was still crazy and aloof; a far cry from it's usually calm, professional demeanor.

Nakita had seen his uneasiness before. She knew what it felt like not to feel safe; the need to look over your shoulder every second along the way. She grabbed him and pushed him to the couch, kneeling down in front of him. Her hands grasped his face, forcing him to look at her. "Joey, calm down. You are safe here. Tell me what is going on."

"Might as well tell her, Joey. I'm apparently staying for awhile." Jimmy tried to hold up his bound wrists. "Maybe you should tell her about your girlfriend, too."

Nakita's gaze snapped over to examine Joey a little bit better. She was just noticing the blood on his shirt and hands. She pulled her hands down to her knees, searching his eyes for an answer she wasn't sure she wanted to really know. "Joey, what is he talking about? What about Evelina?"

He wasn't sure what to say to her. He searched her eyes for the right words to say. His mouth opened, but nothing came out. He looked toward the window, tears filling his eyes. He shook his head.

Nakita grabbed his jaw and pulled him to face her. "What is going on?" She demanded.

"I just brought Ev to the hospital." He barely could get the words out of his mouth. His head slumped as his gaze dropped to the ground. He was barely able to swallow over the large lump forming in his throat.

Nakita's hand pulled his face up, she kept her voice calm and steady. "Joey, what happened to her? What happened to Evelina?"

An intensity that Jimmy hadn't seen before crossed his face. His nostrils flared out as if he couldn't suck in enough breath to mellow out his anger. Joey's emotions were fluctuating so fast and suddenly that Jimmy wasn't sure what to expect from him.