Chapter 6 #2
She just realized that she’d made a mistake. She should have tried to keep him here, with her. Chasing after that guy was only going to lead to trouble and she didn’t want Hayes to get into trouble.
Not on her behalf.
She really wasn’t worth it.
Getting to her feet, she attempted to follow. But Mac grabbed hold of her, wrapping his arm around her just as her legs started to give way.
“Whoa, Devi. Where do you think you’re going?”
“Hayes. He’s gone after that guy.”
Mac turned her toward the bar. “Course he has. That fucker deserves to die.”
“B-but Hayes will get into t-trouble.” Shit. She was stuttering. That was something she hadn’t done in years.
It had taken her a long time to train herself not to stutter. She hadn’t stuttered as a kid. It was something that had appeared after her mom died. Actually, it had started happening when that asshole teacher started bullying her.
Devi took a deep breath in and let it out slowly. The stuttering wasn’t back for good. It was just a reaction to what had happened.
Or maybe to Hayes running off into trouble and her having no idea how to help him. Or stop him.
Sirens sounded in the distance.
“Don’t panic, Jack and Lenny went after him,” Mac reassured her. “I’ve called the cops too.”
Wonderful. That explained the sirens.
Silla appeared on her other side, looking pale and worried as they walked into the bar.
Mac set her down at a table and barked out orders. Suddenly, she had a whiskey sitting in front of her on the table and a guy called One-Tooth was on one side, holding her hand and patting her back while Silla sat in front of her, talking non-stop.
The door opened and she jumped with a gasp, turning to see the Police Chief stepping into the room. Jerry wasn’t a bad guy, not that she knew him that well.
But he wasn’t really a fan of hers. Well, of her family.
And she couldn’t blame him. Her father had spent a number of nights in jail, sobering up or for being drunk and disorderly.
And then there was her brother . . .
Some of Jerry’s detectives and cops, though, were pure assholes.
Mac rushed over to him, talking with his hands moving through the air. Mac always grew more animated when he was upset.
Jerry glanced over at her, then nodded and spoke into his walkie-talkie.
She shuddered as he strode toward her. He was a fit man in his early fifties. He had a nice wife, good kids, his family was the opposite of hers.
Picture perfect.
Devi couldn’t even imagine what it would be like to live in a family like that. To never have to worry that your father was going to come home drunk and angry. Or end up naked and sleeping in the town square.
That had actually happened once.
“Ms. Dawson,” he said as he got closer.
She winced. She’d known him for several years, even if it wasn’t the best relationship, she’d thought he might have called her by her first name.
“Call me D-Devi,” she whispered.
Shit. Fuck.
Stupid stutter.
He sighed. “Devi. Tell me what happened.”
It wasn’t a question but a demand. And she couldn’t help but glance over at the door, wishing that Hayes would walk back through.
“It was a dick from out of town,” Silla blurted out.
“Yep. It was. Uh-huh,” One-tooth said, patting her hand.
Jerry glanced over at Mac. “Got somewhere private we can go?”
Mac gave her a concerned glance. “Yeah. Use my office. Why don’t you all back off and give Devi some space?”
One-Tooth backed off and Silla squeezed her hand before heading off. Mac then helped her stand and they moved to his office.
“I’ve g-got this,” she said, grimacing as she stuttered again.
No wonder Mac didn’t look convinced as he helped her sit on the old chesterfield sofa in his office. It had seen better days, the leather was cracked and worn and it sort of sagged in the middle. But it was comfortable and she was worn out.
“Sure you have.”
“Where is H-Hayes?” she asked.
“I’m sure he’s fine,” Mac told her.
“Hayes?” Jerry asked, making her jump.
Heck. How had she forgotten that he was there?
Idiot.
“He’s one of the guys that ran after that asshole,” Mac said. “He’s new here. We think he’s a bodyguard for the Steins.”
Jerry’s gaze narrowed but he didn’t say anything. She got the idea that he already knew something about Hayes. Jerry took a seat across from her. She attempted to quell her shaking. It never paid to show weakness.
“Let’s get on with this, shall we?” Jerry said briskly.
Devi winced. No doubt he had something else he’d rather be doing. He’d probably been at home with that lovely family of his. He was dressed in a pair of jeans and a flannel shirt.
“Sorry you g-got called out,” she said.
Shit. This stutter was killing her.
“It’s my job.”
Right. He didn’t want to come and help her. It was just his job.
“Jerry,” Mac said in a low voice. “She’s been attacked. Traumatized. You could be a bit nicer.”
Jerry shot Mac a look. “How about you give us some space? Maybe go and make her a hot drink.”
Mac turned to look at Devi. She knew that he’d stay if she asked him to. But there was no point in him being in here when he had a bar to run.
She’d already caused enough disruption.
Devi just hoped she still had a job after all of this. Mac looked reluctant as he left. And she wanted to call him back. She didn’t want to be alone in here with Jerry and his thick disapproval.
“Right. Tell me what happened.”