I smirked at my brother. “No one can hide from me. I’ll find him.”
CHAPTER THREE
Pennsylvania
Five daysafter the house fire, the nape of my neck was still red but healing fast. I had some burns on my shoulders too, and my beanie had needed to be replaced. I made sure to put ointment on, and I kept an eye on the burns. I was sure this would have been painful for others, but I felt nothing.
Once I’d explained that I’d been hurt in an accident on my way in, work had understood. Tonight would be my first night back since it had happened. I could’ve returned to work sooner, but I’d known better—the burns had needed time, and I hadn’t wanted to get an infection.
“Hey, Penn.” Lacey, one of the bartenders waved as I entered.
“Hi, Lace.”
“You feeling better?”
I nodded. “Sorry for leaving you shorthanded.”
She blew a raspberry. “No big, we handled it.”
I’d gotten to work knowing it would be a busy night; the end of a long week always was. I was about three hours into my shift,filling up the lemons and limes, when a couple of guys at the end of the bar caught my attention.
“The guy just ran into a house of flames, dude, saved Hendrix’s family…the kids!”
“Damn, who was it?”
“No clue. Pictures don’t show nothin’. He was covered, but you know Gideon Hendrix is looking for the man.”
“You’d think that guy would want to be owed a debt from a man like Hendrix.”
“No clue, but he’ll find him…he always does.”
“Hey. Penn, can you grab me more beer mugs in the kitchen?” Lacey asked, and I rushed off.
After bringing them to her, I said I needed to use the bathroom. Once I was in the stall, I pulled out my phone and researched Gideon Hendrix.
“Fuck,” I groaned.
“Just breathe through it, my man!” A guy laughed as he exited.
I ignored him and read every article I could find on Gideon. The house belonged to Dean and Rita Hendrix, and Dean was Gideon’s brother. Some articles spoke of Gideon’s mob ties; others mentioned his philanthropic nature. He was well known in Northchester and according to one post, a widower, and single father to twins, Olivia and Owen. His wife had died a few years ago, sadly.
I dug as deeply as I could with my phone. Gideon Hendrix was as loved as he was hated, respected as much as he was feared.
I didn’t think this man wanted me dead—I’d saved his children—but I had no desire to sit down with the powerful and dangerous man, regardless. There were no leads on the fire, and any mention of me was sparse. I was newish in town, and noone had seen my face. In a few more days, who I was would stop mattering.
A week later,I was mopping the floors at Kaleidoscopes after we’d closed, when two men walked in. They wore expensive suits and stood with an air of superiority.
“I’m sorry, we’re closed. I thought I locked the door.”
One of the men held up a key. “Are you the only one here?”
I plopped the mop into the bucket and faced the men head on. Had they stolen the key from my boss or Lacey? Were they coming to rob the place?
“Who’s asking?”
The man with the key laughed. “You clearly don’t know who I am.”
“Clearly, I’m new here.”
