Chapter 5
CHAPTER FIVE
Kelsey
The quiet hum of the espresso machine is soothing as I wipe down the counter for what feels like the hundredth time.
It's been a week since I started working at CatsAndJava, and already, the routine feels familiar.
Comforting, even.
The steady rhythm of customers coming and going, the cats weaving between tables, the smell of coffee and pastries—it's a slice of normalcy I cling to like a lifeline.
"You're good with her," Astra comments, nodding toward Luna, the skittish tabby who's taken to following me around during my shifts.
I smile, reaching down to scratch behind Luna's ears. "She’s a total sweetheart, you know? She really just needs patience. Time to learn who she can trust. "
"Don't we all," Astra replies with a knowing look that makes me wonder how much she's figured out about me.
The morning rush has died down, leaving just a couple of regulars nursing their drinks in the corner and a young woman cooing over the cats in the play area.
Astra leans against the counter beside me.
"So," she says casually, "how have things been going so far? Found any good spots worth checking out?"
I tense slightly, remembering she knows I’m here for good. "It's been nice. Mostly just working and exploring the area around my rental."
"And hanging out with Boulder," she adds, a hint of amusement in her eyes.
Heat rushes to my face. "How did you?—"
"It's a small city, Kelsey, even smaller when you’re American," she says with a shrug. "Word gets around. Especially when one of our prospects starts spending time with the ‘new girl’ in town."
I busy myself with refilling the napkin dispenser, avoiding her gaze. "It's nothing serious. Just... passing time while I'm here."
"Mm-hmm," Astra hums, clearly unconvinced. "As far as I know, you’re here for good… so why have I heard he thinks you’re here on vacation?"
The question makes my stomach twist.
I debate telling her the truth, and I try to figure out how to say it. "Things are complicated between me and Boulder. We’ve hooked up a couple of times in the past, and I’m not looking for a distraction."
Astra studies me for a moment, her eyes sharper than they have any right to be.
"Well," she says finally, "you’re doing great here. You're good with the customers, and the cats adore you. Just remember, Tara wanted you to work here so you’d be close to the club, close if you needed help. Boulder’s a manwhore, but he’s harmless. It sounds like the two of you have some history, too, so what’s going on with that?"
I want to groan, but I hold it in. "I don’t know, just enjoying each other’s company a little, I guess?"
Astra laughs hard. "I’m totally busting your balls, but I am nosey as all hell, so, fair warning. Enjoy the good dick while you have it, sister.”
Silence falls between us as we work side by side, restocking supplies and preparing for the afternoon crowd.
My mind drifts to Boulder, to the bar fight two nights ago, to his possessive declaration that sent shivers down my spine: "No one touches what's mine."
I still can't believe he punched that guy.
The memory makes me both anxious and, embarrassingly, a little turned on.
No one's ever been possessive of me before—at least, not in a way that didn't feel controlling or suffocating.
With Boulder, it felt... different.
Protective rather than possessive.
Like he saw me as something precious, not something to own.
But how long can this last?
The question haunts me as I mechanically go through the motions of making a latte.
He thinks I'm here on vacation, that I'll be heading back to Montana eventually.
What happens when he realizes I've been lying?
When he discovers I'm planning to stay in Chihuahua indefinitely to escape my family?
And what about when he finds out who I really am?
Not just Kelsey from Tart, but Cady Warlow, daughter of a convicted pedophile, sister to men who would sooner see me dead than let me live in peace?
"You're overthinking again," Astra says, breaking into my thoughts. "I can practically hear the gears grinding in your head."
I force a laugh. "Just... a lot on my mind."
"Want to talk about it? I've been told I'm a good listener." Her offer is casual, but there's genuine concern in her eyes.
For a moment, I'm tempted.
The weight of carrying my secrets alone is exhausting.
But sharing them means putting Astra at risk too, and I can't do that to someone who's been nothing but kind to me.
"It's nothing," I lie. "Just personal stuff back home."
Astra nods, accepting my deflection with grace. "Well, the offer stands. Sometimes talking helps."
"Thanks," I say, genuinely appreciating her concern.
The bell above the door chimes, signaling new customers.
I welcome the distraction, throwing myself into work to avoid dwelling on the mess my life has become.
The afternoon passes in a blur of coffee orders and gentle cat wrangling.
I'm wiping down a table near the window when I notice it—a dark sedan parked across the street. The same one I spotted following me the other night.
My heart stutters, adrenaline flooding my system.
Is it Benji?
Could it be Craig?
Is it one of their hired thugs?
I force myself to keep moving, to act natural, even as my mind races through possible escape routes.
The car hasn't moved, but I can feel eyes on me, watching my every move.
Astra comes up beside me. "Everything okay?"
I startle, nearly knocking over a chair.
"Fine," I say quickly. "Just... thought I saw someone I knew."
She follows my gaze to the car, her expression sharpening. "Have you noticed that vehicle before?"
The directness of her question catches me off guard. "I... maybe. Why?"
Astra's eyes never leave the sedan. "Remember what I told you the other day? People are watching businesses under club protection."
Oh shit, I totally forgot about that with everything else going on.
"So, that’s what this place is?" I ask carefully. "Under club protection?"
She gives me a sidelong glance. "My husband is the Enforcer. What do you think?"
Okay, now I’m just sounding like a total idiot.
The café isn't just Astra's business—it's part of the club's territory. Which means anyone watching it is potentially a threat to the club, not just to me.
"I’ll tell Python about this right now," Astra says, pulling out her phone.
"No!" The word bursts out before I can stop it.
Astra raises an eyebrow, and I struggle to backpedal. "I mean, it's probably nothing. Just someone waiting for someone else."
Astra looks unconvinced. "Maybe. But I know better than to trust it. We don't take chances with 'probably nothing.'"
She steps away to make the call, leaving me with a knot of dread in my stomach.
The last thing I need is more club involvement in my personal drama.
If Python investigates the car and discovers it's here for me…
Before I can spiral further, my phone vibrates in my pocket.
I pull it out, expecting another threatening message from Benji.
Instead, I see Boulder's name on the screen.
Free tonight? Wanna grab dinner?
The text is casual, normal in a way that makes my chest ache.
This is what it could be like if I were just a regular girl on vacation, flirting with a local guy.
No murderous brothers, no dark family secrets, no lies about who I am or why I'm here.
For a moment, I allow myself to indulge in the fantasy.
I could text back, meet him for dinner, spend another night wrapped in his arms, pretending that everything is simple and uncomplicated.
That I'm just Kelsey, that he's just Boulder, that we're just two people enjoying each other's company.
But the sedan is still there, a reminder that nothing about my life is simple.
My thumbs hover over the screen, thinking about what I could say, when the bell above the door chimes.
My eyes automatically lift to check who's coming in—standard for anyone who's spent time looking over their shoulder—and my entire body goes cold.
Boulder strides through the door, his massive frame filling the entrance.
Behind him are two other men wearing Reapers Rejects cuts, club members I've never seen before.
They're in the middle of a conversation, something about a shipment coming in later this week, their voices dropping to hushed tones as they enter the café.
Boulder's wearing dark jeans that hug his thighs, heavy boots, and a gray t-shirt beneath his cut.
His hair is slightly damp, like he's just showered, and he's got that easy confidence I find so magnetic.
For one blissful second, he hasn't noticed me yet.
Then his eyes scan the café and lock with mine.
Everything seems to slow down.
The smile drops from his face, replaced by confusion that quickly morphs into something harder to read.
"Kelsey?" he says, his deep voice carrying across the room.
My heart hammers against my ribs so hard I'm certain everyone can hear it.
I feel trapped because I am.
I’m caught in a lie I’m not ready to explain.
The two men with him stop talking, instantly picking up on the change in atmosphere.
The first one is tall with a shaved head, tribal tattoos crawling up his neck and disappearing into his beard.
It only takes me a second to remember his name—Python.
The second is shorter but built like a tank, with forearms covered in faded tattoos and a weathered face that's seen its share of fights.
"You know her?" the tattooed one asks, his eyes darting between us, obviously interested.
Boulder doesn't answer, just keeps staring at me like he's trying to put together pieces of a puzzle.
I force myself to breathe, to appear normal even as panic floods through my entire body.
"Hey," I manage, my voice impressively steady considering the circumstances.
Boulder takes a step forward, then another, closing the distance between us.
His friends hang back, clearly sensing this is something personal.
" What are you doing here?" he asks, his voice low enough that only I can hear.
I gesture vaguely at my apron. "Working."
His jaw tightens, a muscle ticking in his cheek. "I can see that."
I've seen Boulder angry—the bar fight flashes through my mind—but this is different.
This is controlled, contained, somehow more intimidating than his explosive reaction that night.
Astra chooses that moment to emerge from the back room, wiping her hands on a dish towel.
She notices the club members immediately, her professional smile sliding into place.
"Babe! Axel, Boulder," she greets them warmly. "What brings you boys in today?"
"Your husband got your text, but I’m here for a caffeine fix," the tattooed one—Axel, apparently—replies, still watching Boulder and me with interest that borders on amusement.
"I see you've already met our newest employee," Astra says, coming to stand beside me.
"Employee," Boulder repeats, the word like gravel in his mouth.
I can practically see the wheels turning in his head, piecing together everything.
Astra, either oblivious to the tension or—more likely—deliberately ignoring it, continues cheerfully, "Kelsey's been an absolute godsend. Picked everything up faster than anyone I've hired before."
Boulder's eyes never leave mine. "How long have you been working here?"
My throat feels suddenly dry. "About a week."
"A week," he echoes, his voice falling flat.
Python lets out a low whistle, clearly enjoying the drama unfolding before him.
"What can I get you boys?" Astra asks, trying to steer the conversation to safer ground.
"Nothing for me," Boulder says, his expression hardening.
The other club member—Axel—glances between us. "Maybe we should come back later."
"No," Boulder says firmly. "We're here now."
He moves toward the counter, forcing me to either follow or appear unprofessional.
I’m hyper aware of Astra's curious gaze and the scrutiny of the other club members.
She’s saying something to the group of them, but I’m so focused on my heart hammering in my chest that I don’t hear her words.
"I changed my mind. Give me three black coffees," Boulder orders when we reach the register, his voice clipped. "To go."
I nod, grabbing three cups and turning toward the coffee pots.
"So when were you planning to mention you worked here?" he asks, his voice deceptively casual.
I focus on filling the cups, grateful for something to do with my hands. "I didn't think it was important."
"Didn't think it was important," he repeats, disbelief coloring his tone. "Just like you didn't think it was important to mention you're not actually on vacation?"
I freeze mid-pour, coffee nearly spilling over the rim of the cup.
"What are you talking about?" I manage, but the words sound weak even to my own ears.
Boulder leans forward, elbows on the counter, voice dropping so only I can hear. "You told me you were just visiting—here on vacation. Astra just said you moved here. Which is it, Montana?"
The nickname that had felt intimate just days ago now sounds like an insult.
"Can we talk about this later?" I ask, glancing at the other guys in here, who've moved to a table but are watching us like hawks.
"No," Boulder says, his green eyes flashing. "I want to know now. Have you been lying to me this whole time?"
Heat rushes to my face—part embarrassment, partly furious at being cornered like this. "It's complicated."
"That seems to be your answer for everything," he snaps.
Astra appears beside me, her presence a silent show of support. "Everything okay here?"
Boulder straightens, his expression closing off. "Fine."
I finish preparing their coffees with shaking hands, setting the cups on the counter with more force than necessary.
"That'll be 150 pesos," I say, unable to meet his eyes.
Boulder slaps a 500-peso note on the counter. "Keep the damn change."
As I open the register, Astra clears her throat. "Kelsey, why don't you take your break now? I can handle things for a bit."
Before I can protest, she adds, "I insist."
The look she gives me says this isn't actually a suggestion.
I untie my apron, noticing Boulder watching my every move.
"Ten minutes," Astra says. "You two can use the patio out back. It's empty right now."
Boulder's jaw works as he considers this, then he nods curtly. "Fine."
He grabs his coffee and heads toward the back door without checking if I'm following.
I glance at Astra, who gives me an encouraging nod.
"Go on," she says quietly. "Better to deal with this now than let it fester."
With a deep breath, I follow Boulder through the café and out onto the small patio area where customers sometimes sit with their laptops or books.
It's deserted now, the afternoon heat keeping most people indoors.
Boulder stands with his back to me, shoulders tense, staring out at the small garden Astra maintains for the cats to explore.
"Why the fuck would you lie to me like that?" he asks without turning around, his voice tight with controlled anger.
I wrap my arms around myself, suddenly feeling cold despite the heat. "I…" I hesitate. "I didn’t want to complicate anything."
He turns then, his expression a mix of hurt and frustration. "That’s such shit, Kels. Why the fuck would lie to me? You think you gotta protect my precious heart or some shit? Fuck, I don’t do this! I don’t fuckin’ care about the women whose legs I slide between."
"I didn't exactly lie," I protest weakly. "I just... didn't correct your assumption."
I don’t bother commenting about what I think he just said.
He did say he cares, kind of, right?
"Bullshit," he snaps. "You deliberately let me believe you were going back to Montana. That this was temporary."
He's right, and we both know it.
"I'm sorry," I say, the words not feeling like enough.
"Why?" he demands, taking a step closer. "What was the fucking point?"
I can’t even be mad that he’s cussing at me right now.
I struggle to find an answer that doesn't reveal too much. "It was easier."
"Easier than what?" His voice rises slightly. "Easier than being honest? Easier than telling me you were planning to stick around?"
"Yes," I admit. "Easier than explaining why I left Montana in the first place. Easier than getting into the whole mess with my family."
This gives him a moment to think.
I can see him remembering our conversation about my brother, about the black eye.
"You said your brother found you in Billings," he says slowly. "So… you’re running from him."
I nod, relieved he's putting it together so I don't have to spell it out.
This is embarrassing enough as it is.
"And now you're here," he continues. "Starting over again."
"Yes."
Boulder runs a hand through his hair, frustration evident in every line of his body. "You could have told me that. I would have understood."
"Would you?" I challenge. "You barely know me, Boulder. Why would you care about my family drama?"
The words come out harsher than I thought they would, and I see them hit home.
"I don't know," he says after a moment, his voice softer. "Maybe because I can't stop thinking about you. Maybe because there's something between us that feels different. Or maybe I'm just an idiot who thought we were being straight with each other."
My chest tightens at his words. "I didn't mean to mislead you."
"But you did," he says. "And now I find out you're working at a club-owned business? That you know Astra and you’re working for her? What else don't I know, Kelsey? Or is that even your real name?"
The question hits too close to home, and I flinch.
Boulder catches it, his eyes narrowing. "Jesus Christ. Is it?"
"Yes," I lie, the word bitter on my tongue. "Of course it is."
Technically, it is.
I legally changed it with the help of the police when I testified against my father.
He studies me for a long moment, and I force myself to hold his gaze, praying he can't see through me.
Finally, he shakes his head. "I don't know what to believe anymore."
"I'm not on vacation," I say quietly. "I moved here, okay? That's the truth. And I’m sorry I didn’t tell you. I just didn’t want to complicate anything. I know you, okay? I know how you are, what kind of man you are. I don’t want to get attached to you, because I know that you’ll?—"
He cuts me off. "Anything else I should know?"
The sedan across the street flashes through my mind.
The threatening texts.
My brother’s hunting me.
"No," I lie again. "Nothing important."
He takes a deep breath, like he's trying to calm himself.
Boulder looks at me for a long moment, disappointment evident in his eyes. "You know what the worst part is? I think you're still lying to me."
Before I can respond, he walks past me toward the door. "I've got to get back to the guys. Enjoy your shift. And never mind about dinner."
His coldness stings more than anger would have.
I watch him go, my chest aching with words I should’ve said, which honestly I’m too terrified to share.
As the door closes behind him, I lean against the wall, suddenly exhausted.
Why the fuck wasn’t I honest with him?