Page 59 of Her Captivated Hero

While Evie’s back was turned, Gray leaned over to whisper in Riya’s ear. “You skipped breakfast and lunch?”

“I got caught up on a side project, and I had to make up time on my actual work.”

Evie turned around in time to catch what Riya was saying.

“I hope you’re not letting him ride roughshod. I have a husband and a brother who think they rule the world. They don’t. Let’s eat these brownies, and then you can join the ladies on the patio. We’ll tell you how to handle these alpha males,” Evie said with her Southern accent.

Gray enjoyed watching Riya carefully consider Evie’s invitation and then see her eyes light up. He knew she only knew Miranda, and without Susan here as a buffer, this was big.

“I’ll definitely join you after the brownies.” She gave Gray a teasing look.

“You are not just having sugar to make up for two missed meals, Dr. Patel,” Gray admonished.

Two sets of black eyes rolled at him. He laughed.

“Chocolate makes the world go round.” Evie said sanctimoniously.

“Aiden would take my side.” Gray shook his head at the two women, then watched as Riya took a large bite of her brownie.

* * *

Riya liked Evie a lot,and not just because she was pint-sized like she was.

“Your house is beautiful,” she complimented from her seat at the table.

“It was all Aiden. He had it before he married me. The man has taste.”

“And that’s why he married you.” Marrying Evie was the best thing that ever happened to Aiden,at least that’s what Gray had told Riya. Looking at their lovely house and Evie’s obvious happiness, she confirmed it herself.

Evie moaned as she bit into her brownie. Then she took a deep swig of her milk. She set it down, then put her elbow on the table and stared at Riya. “I’m so impressed you’re a scientist. That is so fucking cool. What made you decide to do that? What kind of science do you study?”

Over Evie’s head, Riya watched as Gray casually opened up the refrigerator and started pulling out cold cuts and salads.

“One of my doctorates is in molecular virology. I want to cure diseases.”

Riya was horrified as Evie’s eyes started to water. She grabbed Riya’s hand. “That is so noble.”

“Wait a minute,” Riya ripped her hand away and held it up. “It’s also because it was the thing I was good at. I’m not noble or special or anything.”

“Sure you are. You’re trying to help people. You’re trying to make the world better. You’re not a taker. You’re not a user. You’re one of the good guys.”

This woman was fierce.

Riya almost jumped out of her skin when she felt Gray’s hand rest on her shoulder. She looked up at him helplessly.

“Evie is one of the good guys, too. She’s a hero.”

Riya watched as the little woman blushed.

Gray set down a plate that held some rolled up turkey slices, cheese squares, coleslaw and a dab of potato salad. It was exactly what she would have chosen. She picked up a cheese square.

“Are you talking about my sister, the heroine?” Riya jumped and dropped the piece of cheese onto her plate at the deep roar that filled the room. She heard a child chortle, which was the only reason she wasn’t looking for a hiding place.

“Hello, Drake,” Gray said to a man who was even bigger than he was. Riya stared at him for a long moment. He looked familiar. Then she realized he had the same genetics as the woman sitting across from her. Oh yeah, he’d said sister. If he hadn’t been carrying a child, he would have truly scared her.

“Give me Andrew.” Evie jumped out of her chair and made a grab for the toddler who was trying to wiggle out of the man’s hold.

“Gray, we’re all waiting to meet Riya,” Drake said.