I push the paper back to him. “No one around here has a price. I suggest you leave.”
Even his laugh feels evil. “Good. I hoped you’d say that. Breaking the feisty ones is my favorite thing.”
He didn’t just say that. Stabbing him would definitely be too kind. Luisella taught me a few more tricks this guy wouldn’t enjoy. I stand up. “It’s time for you to leave.”
The man sets his napkin on his plate. “Until we meet again.” He stands up, moving way too close to me. “I lookforward to the game we’re going to play. But I should warn you, I always win.” He leans forward as he says the last word.
My hand moves to the dirty knife.
Jacko catches my eye and shakes his head. “Let’s go.”
The man looks between Jacko and me. “That’s why you were so brave. He won’t always be here to protect you, little one.”
My skin hasn’t crawled like this since the last time I sold my bo—
“Are you okay?” Hope asks.
No, I’m not, but I have to pretend that I am long enough to get rid of her. “Just fine.” I need to take a shower more than I need to breathe. My therapist would call this a self-destructive coping mechanism, but I don’t care.
First, I need to get rid of Hope and her grandfather’s piercing gaze.
How do I do that? The handbook. I’ll send her home to study the handbook and quickly go over security protocols like today was supposed to be a short orientation day instead of the full day of training that I had planned for her. “Let’s head back to the picnic tables and get your orientation done.”
Hope tips her head at me but follows me. Her grandfather stays right with us.
Great. Wonderful. Stupendous. Just what I wanted today, Don Vincenti hovering over me judging my every action.
Can he see?
He doesn’t. No one does.
Get the job done, and then you can fall apart.
Someone took my coffee.
I reach over and scratch my still-burning hip even though I know it’s all in my head.
Soon. You can shower and feel clean soon.
Once we’re all seated, I start in on security protocols. “Security around Willow Street is tight. What you saw todayalmost never happens. The last time it did was around five or six years ago. And just like today, the stranger was escorted by security the entire time he was in the neighborhood. So what you should do if you see a stranger is ignore them. If a stranger walks into the restaurant, another adult or I will wait on them. If they come up to you, security will intervene, or you say, ‘hold on, I need to get my manager’. There are other safety measures such as shelter in place, full lockdown, and safe zones—”
“I have a question.” Of course, it’s Don Vincenti who has the question. Hope is quietly taking notes.
“What would you like to know?”
“Why you?”
Huh? “I don’t understand the question.”
“Why do you approach strange men who could potentially harm you? You’re no bigger than a child. That man could have done some serious damage before Jacko was able to intervene. No woman should be put in a situation like that. I need to talk to Maddox.”
It took years to convince Maddox that several of us could hold our own. Dyce’s skills helped significantly. “We aren’t victims.” Even though I feel like one right now.
Talon’s eyes narrow. “Why haven’t you been to my home for Sunday dinners?”
Huh? And they talk about women changing topics without warning. Because you aren’t my family, and pretending you are because Emilia started this place seems weird. “I have a lot of work to do.”
Talon’s only response is lifting an eyebrow at me.
