She gives me a small, practised smile. “Fine.”
She’s gone back to running the delivery business. She handles the legitimate stuff, packaging orders, customer bookings, while my drivers take care of the other side. The side she knows nothing about.
“That’s it? Just fine?” I tease, trying to coax something real out of her. “Usually you tell me how at least three drivers have pissed you off.”
She shrugs. “I haven’t really paid much attention.”
And there it is again, that wall I can’t get past. She’s here, but she’s notwithme. Not like before. It’s like she’s holding on to something, terrified I’ll dig too deep, when all I want is to put it behind us and move forward.
A shadow falls over our table.
I look up, and my stomach drops as Jimmy smiles down at us.
“Kade. Eden. How are you both?”
My jaw tightens. He’s the last person I want anywhere near her, especially tonight. Especially after I told him to stay the hell away from my ol’ lady.
I don’t bother masking my irritation. “Fine,” I bite out. “You?”
“I tried to call you earlier,” Jimmy says. “I need to speak to you about business.”
Of course he does. Of all the nights.
I force a calm I don’t feel. “As you can see, I’m having dinner with my ol’ lady. I’ll get back to you tomorrow.”
“It’ll only take a minute,” he presses.
Eden’s smile flickers to something uncomfortable. But before I can shut him down again, Jimmy calls over his shoulder, “Liam, come and keep Eden company.”
My stomach twists. I stand, jaw locked tight, and Liam slides casually into my seat as if he’s been invited personally.
“Queenie,” Liam purrs, leaning in far too close. “How the hell are you, baby?”
I see Eden stiffen, a tiny, involuntary reaction, and something cold slides down my spine.
I step away with Jimmy, but every muscle in my body screams to hurry this shit up. Jimmy’s already walking toward the bar, and if I try to shut him up, he’ll drag it out longer.
I glance back one last time.Why is her hand trembling?
EDEN
I stare at Liam. At first, it’s nothing –– just him, sitting there, too close, too casual.
Then a scent drifts toward me.
Sharp. Zesty. Wrong.
My breath hitches. My fingers curl into fists. Panic uncurls in the pit of my stomach. Somewhere deep inside my mind, a voice I’ve been trying to forget tears through me like a blade.
Don’t look at me like you’re better than me. Thought you were too good, didn’t you? Not so high up now, are you, sweetheart? Hold still. Stay still. That’s it… fucking take it.
I squeeze my eyes shut.
No.No, no, no.
Not him. Please not him.
But the scent grows stronger, and my stomach drops through the floor.
