Blade (The Alpha Elite #11)

Chapter Fifty

Juniper

S inging along to Faith No More’s version of “Easy” on the radio, forgetting my brakes were crap, I peeled into Del Cielo’s lot and almost overshot a parking space.

Throwing it in Park, already anticipating my coffee, I ignored my nerves as I quickly locked up and went inside.

“Juni!” Hailey called out cheerfully. “The usual?”

“You know it.” Shoving my sunglasses to the top of my head, I smiled with equal enthusiasm, even though I knew this would be my last good coffee this week. And my last day with a fancy cell phone. But hey, fake it till you make it, right?

“Good!” Hailey laughed. “Because I’ve already got the espresso shots going.”

“And that’s why you’re the best artista barista ever.” I reached for a straw, and that’s when I saw him.

Well, caught a split-second glance before I immediately looked away, but it was enough.

Huge, like, giant tall and muscles to go with the height huge, an inked guy was sitting in the back corner at the table where I usually sat to work, messing with his cell phone.

My stomach suddenly in about a hundred more knots, I kept my face averted as I glanced back at Hailey. “How’s your morning?” I’d never seen that guy in here before, let alone anyone like him. I came to this coffee shop because it was all locals. It wasn’t near a gym or anything that’d draw unwanted attention. The same neighborhood customers came in every day, and it was nowhere near a tourist spot. It was low-key, and it didn’t have security cameras inside. All of that made it perfect. But Hailey made it special.

“It’s been great.” Hailey smiled as she pushed my iced latte across the counter. “You’re in early. Are you staying?” she asked innocently.

Inwardly cringing, I wondered if the stranger had heard her and if he’d be gone by the time my crappy customer service shift started. “No.” I tapped my bank card to pay. “Just needed a fix before work.” And before parting with the only security I had besides my Jeep.

“Always happy to enable,” Hailey joked.

“And that’s why you’re a rock star.” I picked up my drink and jammed the straw in. “Thank you.” Turning toward the exit, I took my first sip. “Oh my God . ” The sweet caramel, cream, and life-giving caffeine that was so good it was almost better than sex, stopped me in my tracks. I glanced back at Hailey. “ So good.”

She smiled. “Thanks, Juni! See you later?”

I rolled my eyes. “Does a rocking horse have a—”

“Don’t say it!” Hailey practically yelled, looking horrified as she turned about a dozen shades of red.

I laughed, then pulled my giant sunglasses back down over my eyes and rooted through my purse for my cell as I walked out.

Scrolling one-handed to the Messages app, I decided if this was going to be my last text—okay, texts, because I had no self-control—then I was going all out.

Full Juniper Lakes—whoever the hell she was.

Tapping the speech-to-text button, I spoke the first shit that came to my mind. “Do you know what happens when you’re fat and have stupidly long hair?”