“Yes, that’s him. They’re wonderful people. Oh, we’d better get you out there. Ready?”
“No.” Skylar took a deep breath that filled her lungs completely, released it slowly through pursed lips, then nodded. “Yes.”
An hour later, her cheeks ached from smiling and laughing at the heartfelt stories readers shared. As she reached for a book from a silver-haired woman in line, the brass bell above the door jingled. Skylar glanced up and felt ice water replace the blood in her veins as the five men entered the store, their cold eyes locked on her. The one in front grinned, revealing teeth that reminded her of a wolf on the prowl, and terror shot through her like lightning.
“Are you alright?” Sydney whispered, her warm breath tickling Skylar’s ear.
“Uh, no.” She looked at the puzzled faces in line. “If you all could just excuse me for a minute. I need to use the ladies room. Please stay in line and no cutting.” She stood on trembling legs and clutched Sydney’s wrist. “I’ll only be a minute. Please don’t let anyone follow me.”
“Skylar...”
“I’ll be fine. I need to call Rawley right now.”
“Alright.”
Skylar quickly made her way to the bathroom, entered, locked the door, and pulled her phone from her pocket, then sent a text to Rawley.
Those men are here at the bookstore.She sent it and waited, but there was no response. Dear God, how could she go out there and act natural? What were those men doing here and how did they know… the poster on the window. She’d bet they saw it and decided to stop in and scare her. Scare her? That was a damn understatement. She’d been hoping they had left Clifton since it had been a while now since she saw them, and she didn’t ask Rawley about them. Afraid of what he’d tell her.
After another minute and still nothing. She had to go back out there. Taking a deep breath, she unlocked the door, then walked back out to the table. She smiled at the line of people, and the men still stood at the back. She sat down in the chair again, putting her hand out to the next person.
****
Rawley’s phone buzzed with Skylar’s message. His stomach dropped as he read it. He snatched his hat from the hook, heart hammering as he bolted for the exit. Killian’s voice echoed behind him, but adrenaline carried him down three flights of stairs, his boots thundering against each metal step. Outside, the autumn air hit his face as he vaulted over the cracked cement steps and dodged between honking cars.
The brass bell above the bookstore door jangled as he stepped inside, the scent of paper and coffee hitting his nose. Skylar sat behind the table, her knuckles white against the polished wood. Her blue eyes flicked meaningfully to his right. The five men lounged against a row of shelves. The leader smirked at Rawley. The bell chimed again as Killian’s frame filled the doorway.
“Is that them?” Killian’s voice was a low rumble.
“Yep.”
“You’re right. They’re trouble.”
Rawley crossed his arms over his chest, the muscles in his forearms tensing as Killian approached the group, shoulders squared beneath his Kevlar vest.
“You guys here to buy some books?” Killian’s voice carried across the suddenly quiet store.
“What’s it to you?” The man’s eyes narrowed to slits.
“Because if you’re not, you’re loitering and we’ll have to ask you to leave. Now, if you’re here to buy a book, how about you do that, then get the fuck out,” Killian snapped, towering over the man.
The leader’s laugh was as cold as winter. “We just wanted to see the author.”
Rawley moved forward, boots silent on the hardwood floor. “You saw her, now go.”
The man’s eyes lingered on Skylar, then he jerked his head at his crew. He stepped forward, close enough that Rawley could smell cigarettes lingering around the man.
“She sure makes you want to take a longer look,” he said, lips curling into a smile that never reached his eyes, then slithered out the door with his buddies following him.
Rawley looked at Killian, to see his jaw tight with tension. “Thanks for following me.”
“I knew something was up but didn’t want you to go alone. I just happened to catch you going in here.” Killian’s voice was low, his eyes darting around the crowded lobby.
“I appreciate it. I need to talk to Skylar.”
“Alright. I’ll see you back at the office.” Killian squeezed his shoulder once before heading out the door.
Rawley nodded, then navigated around the people standing in line, their faces blurring as he focused on Skylar. He slippedbehind the polished mahogany desk, removed his hat, and crouched down beside her trembling form. When he touched her cold hand, she flinched before looking at him, her eyes wide with unmistakable terror.
