Subconsciously following Leah's lead, he reached into his pack for his own dwindling pack of cigarettes and lighter. Now seemed a good time. His head turned back to her as he stuck the cigarette between his lips and lit it. He nodded in concurrence to her point, his head lowering. Not a day went by that he didn't think of how different things would be if just one of the three deceased Marchands had survived. Liv would know what to do every time Evan felt lost. Stephanie would be able to hold he and George together and maman? He closed his eyes and shook the thought off. No more. Save it for later, he thought. "I don't think anyone wins nowadays. Maybe the government, but not anymore. Not for long," he said, a flicker of fire in his eyes as he pulled in a deep drag from his cigarette.
"When you put it like that, I kind of want to let you do it," he joked. Okay, so it was only a half-joke. But he knew what he had to do. And Evan was never one to shirk a task.
The reaction Leah gave was exactly what he'd expected. He nodded once when she looked back at him and chuckled. "Hasn't been easy, I'll tell you that. George tries to kamakazie it up and Danny talks... Christ does Danny talk. I'm always petrified that someday he'll tell the wrong person and not only will he be forced to fight or something but they'll kill me for trying to hide it..." he trailed off. Admitting fear to a rival. Apparently this was the day for Evan to be the complete opposite of his normal self.
He gave Leah a grateful nod and smile when she subtly told him that he wouldn't tell anyone. "Merci," his gratitude was so deep that he slipped into quiet French.
Leah telling him that no, Brandon wouldn't train George and Danny if Evan asked, made him laugh. It was true, of course, but it was still amusing. "It was just a hypothetical. George mentioned someone training her, so I've got to wonder if she went to Danny behind my back, too. But if that falls through... I might ask you to ask him. If you would."
A nod. "That was my thought, too. I'm not looking forward to this. Got a bad feeling." But, as per usual, he had no choice. "I don't doubt that we'll take care of it, though."