“A guy came out of nowhere right before I delivered the pizza. He offered me money to sprinkle some weird shit on one of your pizzas.” She shook her head, still staring down at the table. “I needed the money, so I did it. I really am sorry. If you press charges, I’ll understand.”
I bent down and peered up into her lowered eyes. “I was poisoned that night. Do you understand how badly that could have ended?”
She sat back on the seat, her eyes tearing up. She whispered, “I do. And I can’t believe I did it.”
Alaric cocked his head. “What do you need the money for?”
“To leave my home next month when I’m eighteen. I can’t live with my parents anymore.”
“Why? Are they kicking you out?”
She shook her head, but her gaze returned to the table.
Not a peep exited her lips.
With concern as alarms blared in my mind, I asked, “Are they hurting you?”
The waitress cleared her throat, changing the topic. “Will you be pressing charges?”
I tapped my fingers on the table. “I won’t if you answer my question honestly.”
Her swallow was audible. She hesitated so long, I didn’t think she would answer. Until my silence wore her down. She whispered, “My father beats my mother and me. She won’t do anything about it. So I’m leaving as soon as I can.”
My jaw hardened. “Have you tried contacting the CA?”
“No. I just want to get away from him and leave my mother there to rot.” No longer shy, she focused on me, staring directly into my eyes. Hers flashed with a pain of a thousand beatings kept secret. “I want to be free of him.”
Alaric nodded slowly. “I’m sure you will be.”
Free, she would be. The Ancient would kill him.
Probably in the next hour, if his white knuckles on his menu were anything to go by, the king barely holding it together.
I sighed. “I won’t press charges. You have my word. But can you tell us anything about the man who bribed you?”
Her head shook. “He wore a mask.”
My shoulders sagged in defeat. “Nothing at all?”
“Nothing. He was tall and looked strong, but that’s about it. It was dark outside.”
“Thank you,” Alaric murmured. “We appreciate your honesty.”
“You’re welcome.” She stood up from the booth, and muttered, “I feel stupid asking this… but you guys don’t really want anything to eat, right?”
Theron finally lowered the menu, his gaze lifting to hers, ignoring her question. Quiet and calm. “I want a large cheese pizza to-go. Hold the poison, please.”
Her eyes held his, and then looked down at her mini-pad, taking his order. She muttered, “The special seasoning was a one-time event. The guilt was too much. It won’t happen again.”
“We understand.” His eyes turned toward us. He ordered quietly, “Eat something.”
I blinked and then studied the menu. The Ancient wanted us to show her that we trusted her again. I ordered, “I want a large pepperoni and spinach pizza. For here. And a glass of ice water.”
I could behave. And forgive.
