“Look, I have to go meet someone who scares the crap out of me. Someone from my past. My stepfather.”
He nods. “Tell me more.”
“His name is Silas. He made our lives hell. We were in Thistleford, it’s a four-hour drive from here. I got my Mom and sister out, we’re starting over.” I don’t need to tell him everything, even though something inside me wants to.
“And he’s found you?”
“Yes. He wants to meet me at Friar’s Bar. It’s a public place, he won’t try anything. I need to get it through to him that he has to leave us alone.” The little dog in my lap grunts and then snores louder.
“Sounds like you need backup.”
“Are you volunteering?”
“Of course. And Poupon can bemybackup in case it gets really serious.”
Despite everything, I laugh again. It’s either that or I may start bawling. Would it be such a crazy idea to let Taylan come tothe bar and make sure I’m okay? The idea of him being there is tempting, in wildly different ways.
“Okay, it’s a deal. I don’t know how I’m going to pay you back for this. And I warn you, Silas is a psycho.”
Taylan nods, his face calm. “I’ll be careful. And I’ll be watching you. My car is parked just down the street in case we need to make a quick getaway.”
“Good. How do we wake this little guy up?”
Taylan reaches into his pocket and pulls out a dog treat. He holds it a few inches from Poupon’s nose. The little dog snuffles, licks his lips, and then sits bolt upright like an alarm has gone off. He springs off my lap in the direction of the treat.
The big firefighter stands and reaches for my hand. I take it, a bolt of electricity running up my arm and down to my core. He pulls me gently to my feet, gazing at me the whole time.
I could get used to someone watching me like that.
Blinking a couple of times, I hug my bag closer to my body.
“Let’s do this.”
Chapter Four
TAYLAN
Friar’s Bar is nearly empty when I walk in, the neon sign outside buzzing. The lights are dim inside and the malty smell of beer mixes with meat the chef is grilling in the kitchen. Poupon sniffs the air, his eyes lighting up. Apart from Carl, the local weather-predicting old-timer, I’m the only other customer.
Laurence Friar, the owner, gives me a nod and opens up a bottle of beer. He makes a point of knowing all the firefighters’ drink orders. Often people in town will buy us drinks to say thank you for something we’ve done, so it makes his life easier if he knows what to serve us without needing to ask.
I walk Poupon over to the corner seat. It’s partly hidden behind an enormous oversized beer keg. Grizz likes to joke that’s the only thing in the bar that could get him drunk. Poupon sits under the table, looking up at me expectantly. Maybe I’m giving him too many dog treats, but I don’t want him barking and drawing attention to us. I get out my book and reach for the glasses in my shirt pocket. My brother has 20/20 vision and teases me that I look like Clark Kent when I wear them.
The door opens and Ava walks inside. Every muscle in my body is tense. I want to walk over to her, scoop her up, and run out the door. Whisk her away from that crook Silas Thorn andany potential danger she might be in. She wants this to play out on her terms, but I have no qualms about stepping in to protect her.
Ava sweeps her golden hair into a ponytail in an elegant gesture I’ve watched so many times. She orders a glass of wine and sits on a table directly opposite the door, her bag in her lap. Smart thinking. She’ll know as soon as Silas arrives. I try not to stare at her, but it’s impossible. Being in the same room as her makes my heart speed up and my dick hard. It’s like she’s cast a spell and I’m entranced.
I need to get it together if I’m going to be useful.
The door swings open and Silas walks in. He’s not a big man, but he’s well-muscled and in reasonable shape for his age. Ava’s eyes widen and she clutches her bag closer. His eyes narrow and he raises his hand to her in a mocking salute. He walks over to the bar, orders a glass of whisky, and then sits at her table. Neither of them say anything for a minute.
“Ava. You look tired.”
I have to strain to hear her reply.
“I don’t care what you think I look like. I have what you asked for. Now will you get out of here and leave us alone? Snowflake Falls is no place for someone like you.” She’s leaning forward, keeping her eyes on his hands.
Silas shakes his head slowly back and forth. Under the table, Poupon emits a low growl I’ve never heard before. I clench my fists.
