Evin's Fight (Southern Charmers Book 3) Read online

  Evin’s Fight

  Ahren Sanders

  Copyright © 2021 by Ahren Sanders

  All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law.

  This book is a work of fiction. All names, characters, locations and incidents are products of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, locales or events is entirely coincidental.

  *** Disclaimer***

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  Proofreading: Kendra Gaither @ Kendra’s Editing & Book Services

  Cover Design: Letitia Hasser, RBA Designs

  Contents

  A Note To The Reader

  Prologue

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 27

  Chapter 28

  Chapter 29

  Chapter 30

  Chapter 31

  Chapter 32

  Chapter 33

  Chapter 34

  Chapter 35

  Chapter 36

  Chapter 37

  Chapter 38

  Chapter 39

  Chapter 40

  Chapter 41

  Chapter 42

  Epilogue

  What Happens Next?

  Acknowledgments

  About the Author

  Author Links- Keep in touch!

  Other Books by Ahren Sanders

  A Note To The Reader

  When I set out to write this series it was far different than what actually hit the pages. These three men and the woman that captured their hearts went through many changes, but eventually it all clicked into place. I love all these characters and the stories for different reasons, and each of them held something personal from my life. When the series launched in late 2019, all three books were scheduled to release within the next twelve months. Due to the pandemic, the series took much longer. Thank you for sticking with me.

  Whether this is your first dive into the Southern Charmers Series, or you have followed these men—I hope you love this over-the-top Evin as much as I do.

  Xoxo

  Ahren

  Prologue

  Evin

  “So, this is what the newest Executive Vice President extraordinaire does to earn the coveted corner office and obscene salary. You sit around and watch television?”

  I drag my attention from the wall of screens playing today’s business news to find Jackson Hart leaning against my doorframe with an arrogant grin.

  “Pull up a chair and I’ll find the Hallmark Channel.”

  He chuckles, coming to sit across from my desk. “Some of us have to work for a living.”

  “Too bad, I’m told the cozy mysteries are the shit.”

  He leans back, casting a glance around my office. “Here I thought your fancy promotion came with a full-time assistant. Maybe they could help you make this place more appealing. Clients with millions of dollars in investments rarely approve of their portfolio manager looking like a hobo.”

  I crack a smile and shake my head. “Is that why you’re here? About the assistant position?”

  “Can’t a guy visit his friend without an ulterior motive?”

  I quirk an eyebrow, unmoved by his false sentiment. Jackson is a transplant from one of our branches and joined our team a few months back. I’d met him years ago and we hit it off. Our stories are similar in that we started with the bank after college and worked our way up.

  While my position heads up the Financial Assets and Portfolio Division, he serves as General Counsel and Chief Resource Liaison. Which means he’s responsible for the Human Resources team.

  He’s wicked-sharp, highly educated, and all-around liked by all. It’s not unusual for him to drop by and shoot the shit. In the last months, we’ve formed a friendship outside of work. But inside this building, he’s typically all business, which is why he’s here about my recent denial to take on a full-time assistant.

  “Okay, the position is one reason I’m here,” he admits.

  “I’m good with continuing to share Tessa. We function well together, and her time split has never been a problem. If I find things change, we’ll reassess before budgets.”

  His expression grows serious as he sits forward, propping his elbows on his knees. “Evin, the sixty to seventy-hour weeks can’t continue. Having a dedicated person to take some of the load will free up some of your time.”

  “You been talking to my mom and sister?”

  “No, but sounds like they see the writing on the wall, too.”

  “What writing is that?”

  “Burnout, fatigue, stress, premature anxiety, all the textbook symptoms.”

  “Ahhh, here comes the psychological assessment side of Dr. Hart.” He hates the reference, Dr. Hart. He’s nowhere near a true doctor, but his years of training on employee behaviors make him somewhat of an expert.

  “Would be falling on my job if I didn’t take the health and well-being of my employees seriously.”

  “Jackson, I’m good. Promise. I knew what I was getting into when I decided on this career. But I also know how to make the break.”

  This is mostly true.

  He studies me for a second and nods his acceptance. “I’ll note that as an issue to be discussed at a future date. We’ll readdress in a month.”

  “Whatever you say. What else is on your mind?”

  “If you didn’t like my push for the help, you’re certainly not going to like what’s coming next.”

  An uneasy feeling skates over me, and I wait for him to elaborate.

  “You’ve heard about the changes to the PTO and comp time policies we’re implementing?”

  “Vaguely, not my wheelhouse since I’m not involved.”

  “Well, it’s about to become your wheelhouse because Human Resources slid your file to the front. Even with the new rollover policy and the payout grid, you stand to lose a significant amount of your accumulated time off. Now with your promotion, your benefits have shifted again.”

  “You’re here to tell me to take some time off?”

  “In a manner of speaking.”

  “Not a problem. I have a trip planned next week and again in August for a wedding. The holidays are in a few months, so I’ll tack on some time there too.”

  “Evin, a few days sprinkled here and there will not cut it. You need
to look at weeks. Ten weeks to be specific.”

  I suck in a sharp breath, mentally calculating my PTO. “Ten weeks?”

  “Ten.”

  “None of that rolls over or pays out?”

  “That’s with your rollover and payout. I did the computing myself.”

  “Shit, there’s no way.”

  “The perks of an overachiever.”

  I catch the humor in his voice. “You consider this is funny?”

  “Not at all, but most people would jump at this news. You look miserable.”

  “How the hell am I supposed to manage my business if I’m not here?”

  “How about getting an assistant?”

  “You’re an ass.” I fall back in my chair. “Sneak attack.”

  “Think about it.”

  “Anything else on your mind?”

  “The list is endless. My next question is about this office. You’ve been in here for over a week.”

  “If it makes you feel better, Darby and my mom are coming today to help me unload and decorate.”

  His eyes light up and he wiggles his eyebrows. “How is your sister?”

  “Very bossy, very pregnant, and very much in love.”

  “Bossy and pregnant I can deal with. It’s the in love part that is a problem.”

  Everyone here adores my twin sister. Being a small town, her story of reconnecting with Pierce Kendrick was a major topic of conversation. The band of diamonds, my nephew typically on her hip, and the fact that she is pregnant again do nothing to stop the teasing. Jackson is not the only man to throw in jabs about stealing her away.

  “Get in line. Joe’s been pining for a lot longer than you.”

  “Joseph doesn’t stand a chance.”

  “No one has a chance, but you fools keep dreaming.”

  He scrubs his chin, pretending to think about what I’ve said. “Fair enough.”

  “Anything else?”

  “Nothing business-related. You ready for this trip to Vegas?”

  “Joint bachelor and bachelorette party with a bunch of couples? Not sure what there is to be ready for.”

  “Man, you ever been to Vegas? It’s the perfect place for you to let loose and live a little. Let go of your control issues and enjoy it.”

  There’s no point in arguing with him because it’s a well-known trait that control drives me.

  “Didn’t you say Ashlyn’s brothers would be there?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Well, the three of you should be able to enjoy the trip. Especially the nightlife. Just be careful. Things happen in Vegas.”

  “You don’t have to worry about me losing my ass at the tables.”

  “That thought never crossed my mind. I’m thinking more along the lines of all the beautiful women.”

  “I think I can handle the women. Been doing pretty well for thirty-five years.”

  “There’s a reason the entire city is built around a slogan. The booze, the money, the ladies—I’ve known even the strongest of men to find their weakness. Remember, not everything stays in Vegas, don’t get reckless.”

  “Man, this visit of yours gets better and better. Any other worldly advice you’d like to dole out?”

  “How about a drink after work, you’re buying.”

  “You lay off the pressure and I’m in.”

  He stands, rapping his knuckles on my desk. “Totally off the clock. I need some help with my fantasy team.”

  “So, you want to use my brain and spend my money.”

  He’s almost out the door when he flicks his hand in the air and throws back, “There is a reason I’m an excellent lawyer.”

  I turn back to the televisions on the wall. His words spin in my head. There’s no way I’m taking ten weeks off. What the hell would I do?

  My thoughts travel to Vegas and the itinerary Scottie sent to everyone. Maybe Jackson is right and it’s time to let loose a little.

  Good thing for me I never lose control and I’ve never had a weakness.

  Chapter 1

  Evin

  “If you don’t put that phone away, it’s going to find itself at the bottom of the fish tank,” Scottie hisses.

  “You touch my phone, we’ll have major problems.” I raise my eyes to find him scowling.

  “Seriously, Evin, can’t you let it go for a weekend? We’re in Vegas for a party. Anything happening back in Charleston can wait until you get to your office.”

  “I run a business, Scottie. It requires attention.”

  “Yes, but at this moment, it’s past eight on the east coast. Not much you can do about anything. I’m honestly wondering why you came since you’ve been distracted since we landed on Wednesday.”

  I open my mouth to argue, but he’s right. So far, most of my free time has been spent working.

  “Leave him alone. There’s nothing wrong with being a workaholic,” Megan, Stephanie’s sister, defends.

  Workaholic. Shit, the truth sucks. This woman doesn’t know me and has pegged my lifestyle.

  “Okay, no more.” I drop the phone on my thigh and lift my hands in surrender. “And to your point, I’m here because Stephanie is like a sister to me. She’s the one that comes without the headaches.”

  “Psshhh, not likely. Try being her blood sister. She’s a nightmare.” Megan’s smile says the opposite.

  Stephanie Langley has been Darby’s best friend for over a decade. What began as a business relationship quickly turned into an unbreakable bond of friendship. My family adores Stephanie, and truth is, she’s responsible for helping Darby get to the point of success she is.

  I owe Stephanie more than I can ever repay.

  In a surprising twist, Stephanie met Todd at Darby’s wedding.

  In a month, they’re marrying.

  This long weekend in Las Vegas is a party for the happy couple. When Stephanie announced her plans to have her party in Vegas, Todd lost his mind, nixing the idea. Scottie stepped in. Scottie is more than Stephanie’s legal assistant; he’s an extension of her family. He came up with the solution to mix everyone together. Austin, Andrew, Megan, and I are the singles of the group.

  I’ve been around Megan a few times over the years, noticing she’s the quiet type. Austin and Andrew Rhodes became part of our crew when their sister, Ashlyn, married Miller Kendrick recently.

  “The next round is on me.” I tip my glass to Scottie, receiving a grin of approval in return.

  “Oh God, here we go,” Megan mumbles. “Looking at them makes me a little jealous and sick at the same time.”

  I follow her gaze to catch Todd, Stephanie, Darby, and Peirce headed our way. My phone buzzes with a text. Luckily, Scottie’s focused elsewhere, so I glance down and immediately regret it.

  Rina- I made a huge mistake. I should have never pressured you. Things were good between us, and I’d like to try again.

  The unwelcome blast from my past sets my nerves on edge. In true Rina fashion, she’s made what was a simple arrangement between two consenting adults into a ‘thing’. What she’s forgotten is there was no pressure. She laid out an ultimatum—plain and simple.

  Rina Lewis and I hooked up on and off after meeting at a banking event. At first, she was perfectly fine with grabbing a drink, which always led us back to her place. Neither of us pushed for more until a few months ago when I mistakenly mentioned Miller and Ashlyn’s wedding. Her attitude then took a one-eighty.

  I should have cut it off at the first sign of her persistence. But in a moment of weakness, I let my dick do my thinking. One thing led to another, and I found myself balls deep in her once again. Afterward, she laid out her ultimatum. Either I invite her to the wedding and introduce her to my life, or it’s over.

  Option two it was. I walked away, cutting all ties. It may make me a supreme asshole, but it was a straightforward decision. No matter how good the sex, no woman was dictating my life.

  I evaded any event we’d come into contact. It worked until last week at the annual client appreciat
ion. She was there, draped on a man I didn’t know. Her eyes met mine briefly, and in that second, her expression changed. I left without a word, avoiding any contact.

  “You good, man?” Austin breaks into my thoughts, bringing me back to the scene in front of me.

  “Yeah.”

  “You look pissed.”

  “Nope.”

  His eyes go to the hand gripping my phone. “Whoever she is, must be pretty intense.”

  “Not intense, more of a mistake. “

  He nods his understanding. “Been there a few times. But look at the bright side; we’re in fucking Las Vegas. The women are everywhere, so my guess is they aren’t asking for more.”

  I crack a grin and glance around. Why the hell am I sitting my ass in this bar, shooting back scotch, and waiting on the last of the happy couples to arrive? Not only that, I’m tortured by the fact that my sister is glowing like a firework.

  It has nothing to do with the fact she’s pregnant. The shimmers covering them both tell me more than I need to know.

  “I’m ditching,” I announce lowly to Austin and Andrew. “This is getting too soppy for me.”

  “I’m with you.” Andrew drains his glass.

  “Me too.” Austin stands. “Let’s head out before my sister comes in and God forbid Miller’s covered in those fucking sparkles.”