Page 17 of Bloody Quarter

My heart sank thinking about how she was going to have to give up the place that she loved so much and after all she’d done for me when few would’ve given me a shot.

“Am I ever going to get any service? No wonder this place is going to hell,” Thomas complained and looked over his shoulder at us.

Miss Harper shook her head. “If I didn’t need his money so bad, I’d toss him out on his sorry ass.”

I grabbed her hand. “I’ll go take care of him. Sorry to be so rude, Mr. Laurent. If you need anything else, just let me know.” I was incredibly proud of myself as I turned and walked away like I wasn’t trapped in here with an angry bear and…I glanced back at Mr. Laurent. I didn’t know what he reminded me of, but it was loads more dangerous than Thomas.

“Thomas, what can I get you?” I pulled out my notepad and pen but felt another set of eyes staring at me, ordering me to look over. I refused.

“Is the cooking going to take as long as the service? If so, then I’d rather grab food from the drive-thru down the street.” I gripped my pen tighter.

“I’m sure that Juan will be as fast and efficient as always for you. Besides, your favorite is our special this evening.”

“Fine, I’ll have the fried chicken meal,” he said like that wasn’t already what he had planned on getting. Thomas held out his menu for me, but when I went to grab it, he dropped it before I could get a grip. The laminated single page hit the floor and slid partially under his table. It was right near his boot. What were the chances he dragged it further under the table when I tried to grab it?

“Oops, sorry about that.” He did it on purpose, and as his lip twitched, his eyes dared me to say something. I wanted to punch him in the face. Setting the pot of coffee down on the table, I bent over and grabbed the menu while he did exactly what I suspected. His foot slid it a few inches away, but I managed to get my fingers on the edge and pulled back.

“Thomas, can you lift your foot, please? The menu is stuck under your boot,” I said, loud enough for Miss Harper to hear.

“Oh, is it? Sorry about that.” He waited an extra couple of seconds before lifting his foot. Standing up straight, I was shocked that Thomas hadn’t smacked my ass or something else. I fantasized about hitting him with the pot of coffee as I picked it up. When I took a step to leave, I was jerked to a halt by Thomas grabbing my wrist.

“Let go,” I tugged, but he didn’t release me. Instead, his hand tightened painfully. A thin thread of panic coursed through me as the sensation of being trapped almost became too overwhelming. Ever since my sister died, I couldn’t stand the feeling of being trapped. In the cells, I could get up and pace if needed, but an arm or leg stuck brought me right back to that night.

“You not going to refill my coffee? It’s already empty. Are you blind as well as lazy? No wonder Miss Harper cut back your hours. You’re getting sloppy.” His fingers tightened a little more. My pulse leaped.

“I’m none of those things, and you have no right to touch me, so let go.” I glared at the man who was nothing more than a schoolyard bully. Getting angry was the easiest way to deal with the fear, and I jerked my arm harder, but he wouldn’t let go. It felt like I was caught in a vice.

“Thomas, leave Alora alone. You’re being rude. What happens between Alora and me is none of your business,” Miss Harper said, turning around to face us, but it was Mr. Laurent who had my attention. He looked poised to leap out of his booth. Even the muscles in the side of his neck and jaw were twitching as he glared at Thomas’s hand.

“Thomas, this is the last time I’m going to tell you. Let. Go,” I said, barely keeping it together.

“No, fill my coffee.” He jerked on my arm, and I almost fell into the booth with him. The anger was instant and burned white hot through my body as I snapped.

“You want coffee? Here’s your coffee,” I said and dumped the pot in his lap.

“Fuck!” He let go of my wrist and jumped up, all in a single movement. “You bitch. You just burned me.”

“Alora,” Miss Harper gasped.

“You deserve worse than that. Don’t ever touch me again.” My hands were clenched into fists, and the pot would become a weapon if need be. I could only hope it wouldn’t land me back in prison, although, with my luck, it would be fitting.

“Now I can’t work,” he exclaimed, and I rolled my eyes. “I’m going to sue you!” Thomas pointed at Miss Harper. “You’re going to lose everything, and you.” He swung his finger in my direction. “I’m calling the cops to have you arrested for assault.”

“Like hell you are. That was clearly self-defense,” Mr. Laurent said. I hadn’t noticed him or Miss Harper move, but they were both up and only a couple of feet away. The ferocity that oozed off of him with ease had me taking a step back.

“Stay out of this pretty boy. It’s none of your business,” Thomas snarled. “She should go back to prison where she belongs.” Thomas turned his glare on me. “No wonder no one wants anything to do with you,” Thomas yelled, and I had to get out of there.

I ran to the counter and left the coffee pot before dashing into the back and locking myself in the bathroom. Closing my eyes, I gripped the edge of the sink and focused on controlling my breathing as the ache in my chest snaked its way up and wrapped itself around my neck like a boa constrictor. My body shook. I had to take ten deep breaths before the shaking stopped. I stared into the eyes of my reflection and rolled out my shoulders. I wasn’t letting Thomas do this to me. He wasn’t worth it.

Yanking open the door, I marched through the kitchen, thankful that Juan was oblivious with his headphones on and back to me. Thomas was still yelling, and as soon as I stepped into the diner, I put on my sweater and grabbed my pack to leave. Just then, the door opened, and two officers walked in. My heart sank through the floor. Oh my god, he really called the cops. I was going back to prison. I took a step back, eyes wide as I stared at the two men. For just a moment, I wondered if I could make it out the back door and disappear. But I wouldn’t be able to run forever, and that meant Thomas won. There was no way I was letting him off with assaulting me and walking away.

“Alora Dubois,” the one on the left asked, and I nodded on autopilot.

“We need you to come with us,” the second one said, and tears stung the back of my eyes, but there was no way in hell I was crying in front of Thomas.

“Ha! See, she’s going to get what she deserves. Even the police know she’s nothing but trouble.”

“Get out of my restaurant, Thomas, and don’t ever come back,” Miss Harper yelled. I’d never heard her yell before. She pushed Thomas until he relented and left, but not before he glared at me. “Officers, what is this all about?” If Miss Harper didn’t know, then what did they want with me? Mr. Laurent was still there, but he hung back. Somehow, I knew he was taking it all in, and for whatever reason, embarrassment filled me that anyone had to watch this.