Chapter 4
By the time they all left, with Zander still protesting that he didn’t like this, she was exhausted.
Angie locked the door behind them, using the three deadlocks that Ammo had installed and turned her alarm to Home.
Miles had gone through all of her security with her. While Zander had spouted off a number of rules. That man didn’t seem to realize that she was a grown ass woman who could look after herself.
Plus, he really liked giving out rules.
Like she had to check in with him twice a day. That she had to use her alarm and security system at all times.
And if she was going out, he wanted to know where she was going.
That last one was a bit too much in her opinion.
But she’d humor him for the moment. After all, he was just trying to look after her.
A wave of something washed through her. Surely that wasn’t . . . loneliness?
Why would she be lonely?
She wanted to be by herself, right?
Only . . . she might have gotten used to living with those nutjobs and now it seemed really quiet.
Deep breath in. Now out.
You got this, Angie.
She walked through the house. It was small, but in great condition. The last owner had built it, and it was obvious they’d looked after it.
As she headed into the bedroom, she saw a stuffed whale lying on the bed. Her heart leaped.
She hadn’t bought herself any toys since she’d left Wally at the Bartolli house of horrors. She didn’t deserve anything, not after leaving behind her best friend.
You couldn’t go back and get him.
No. But that didn’t make her feel any better. She felt terrible. Like she didn’t deserve a toy.
However as she walked over to the whale, she told herself that she wasn’t replacing Wally.
She picked up the note and brushed her fingers over the fluff. Ooh, he felt like soft velvet.
Angie,
I know that you miss Wally and I’m sorry you had to leave him behind.
I thought maybe this toy might help. Not to replace him, but just to keep you company.
I’m going to miss you and I thought this way a part of me was with you all the time.
I love you,
Keira
Wow.
That was so sweet and kind. Angie picked up the toy and held her tight.
“I’m going to name you Wallina,” she said. “And you can be my friend.”
She didn’t know how long she sat there, but the rumbling of her stomach had her getting off the bed and glancing out the window.
Shit.
She wasn’t doing well at taking care of herself already. At least no one was here to notice that she hadn’t eaten dinner. How was she going to get some food?
Her credit card and laptop had come from Zander but she wanted to use as little money as possible. He was covering all the bills for the house.
Maybe she should order some milk and bread and eggs? That was enough, right? Would they deliver?
“Whoa, stop,” she said.
This was ridiculous. She was tough. She’d been taking care of herself for years. Just because she’d been secluded away from the world for a couple of years didn’t mean that she suddenly didn’t know how to do all of this.
“All I’ve got to do is look up the closest grocery store and find out if I can walk to it.”
She didn’t know this town at all.
First she should check the cupboards, see what kind of stuff she had to work with.
Shock filled her as she saw that the pantry was filled with food. Canned vegetables, jars of sauces, packets of pasta and rice. And everything else she might need.
Then she rushed to the fridge and found it full as well.
There was a note sitting on top of a block of cheese.
Eat,
Webb.
She rolled her eyes even as gratitude filled her.
These guys were bossy even when they weren’t here.
But she grabbed some bread and cheese to make herself a grilled cheese sandwich.
Tonight, she’d settle in.
Tomorrow, she’d find a job.
Angie was exhausted.
She’d spent all day trying to find a job, leaving her contact details with pretty much every business in town.
It was humiliating when people asked you what experience you had and you had to say “none.”
They looked at her like she was dumb for thinking she could ever get a job with them.
But also like it was ridiculous that someone who was twenty-six hadn’t had a proper job before.
She got it.
Although she wondered what they would say if she told them that the reason she’d never had a proper job was because she’d been sold to an evil asshole who had married her, kept her prisoner, raped and beaten her?
Hmm, perhaps she should lead with that.
Someone at the diner had told her about a job at the local library so she was headed that way now.
Working at the library sounded like an ideal job since she loved books. But she guessed you needed more skills than just liking to read.
But it wasn’t like she had anything to lose, was it? At this point she was desperate.
So she trudged up the stairs of the large concrete building that held Stugley’s public library.
It was an impressive building. Even if she didn’t get to interview for a job she could at least sign up for a library card.
She opened the door to complete silence. Wow.
“Can I help you?”
Angie glanced over to see a very tall, thin woman with long dark hair standing with a cart in front of her.
“Oh, hi, my name is Angie. I was told you might have a job vacancy?”
This woman looked grouchy. Was there not a job vacancy? Had she been sent here as some sort of joke?
“Who told you that?” the woman asked, filing a book on a shelf.
To Angie’s amazement, she then drew out a ruler and measured the length from the edge of the shelf to the book and nodded in satisfaction.
Was there a certain spot that a book was meant to sit? She’d never noticed that before. Although it had been a long time since she’d been in a library. Keira had bought her an eReader when she’d first moved in so she could order books and read them.
It was a Godsend but that didn’t mean she couldn’t appreciate a paperback.
She just couldn’t afford to buy any.
“Um, a lady over at the diner. Was she wrong?”
The woman harrumphed. “That would be Donna. Always interfering in things that aren’t any of her business. Well, have you worked in a library before?”
“Um, no,” she admitted.
If possible the woman’s face grew more dour.
“What was your last job?”
Yeah.
She was tired of that question.
“Well, if being sold by your father at eighteen to a sadistic evil mafia kingpin and forced into marrying him, then being his prisoner for five years is a job . . . that was my job.”
The woman gaped at her.
Everyone else in the library turned to gape at her. Thankfully there were only three other people in there, an older couple sitting at a table and reading an actual newspaper. And a good-looking older man in his mid-fifties sitting in front of a computer.
She could feel herself turning bright red.
What was wrong with her?
Before she could say anything more, she turned on her heel and walked back out.
Well.
That was humiliating.
“Hey! Excuse me, miss! Wait up.”
She glanced over her shoulder. It was the man from the library who had been sitting at the computer.
What could he possibly want?
“Please wait!” he yelled.
She stilled as she noticed that people were stopping and staring at them. She smiled nervously. She’d already made an idiot of herself; she didn’t need the whole town to think she was crazy.
Although they’d all know about her now, wouldn’t they?
She couldn’t expect that anyone in the library would keep their mouth shut.
Including this man. Although it probably wouldn’t hurt for her to be nice to him.
“Yes?” she asked warily.
“Hi, sorry. I’m Richard Drews. Um, you left your handbag behind.” He held it out to her.
Oh shit. What the hell had she been thinking?
“Thank you.” She took the bag, holding it close. It held her keys, her wallet, her migraine pills. She shouldn’t have let it out of her sight.
“You’re welcome. I couldn’t help but overhear what you said in the library.”
“Right.” Because how could he not help but overhear? She’d basically screamed that out loud.
“Was that true? What happened to you?” he asked.
She shot him a look. Did he really think she’d lie about something like that? Also, wasn’t it a bit rude to ask?
“Sorry, sorry, I know that’s insensitive to ask. It’s just I would be really interested in interviewing you for a story that I’m doing on victims of violence.”
“Sorry, not interested,” she said.
That would be a damn stupid idea to her way of thinking. Speak about the Bartolli family? Yeah, she wouldn’t look good wearing concrete shoes.
“It would all be anonymous, of course. No mention of names or anything. And there’s a small payment.”
“I’m not that desperate for money.”
Maybe she seemed that way, but she would prefer to use Zander’s money than tell her story.
“I get it. It was a long shot. Hopefully, I’ll see you around?”
“Um, maybe.”
She headed home, feeling defeated.
Tomorrow was another day, she guessed.
“You’re back.”
Angie squared her shoulders as she stared at the librarian.
“Yes.”
It had taken her three days to work up the courage but here she was. “Yes, I’d like to get a library card.”
“Hmph. You live here?”
“Yes, I do.” That was why she’d inquired about a job a few days ago.
“Proof of address?” the woman grumbled.
“Oh. I hadn’t thought of that. I haven’t had any bills come to the house yet.” She wasn’t sure that she would as Zander was paying them. “I’ll have to come back when I do. May I just look around?”
The woman eyed her like she thought she might steal something. There was an odd look on her face.
“Just don’t mess up my shelves,” she said, turning away and hurrying off into the backroom.
She could move fast.
Angie walked slowly down the aisles. She didn’t dare touch any of the books. They were all so neat.
Did she really measure each one with her ruler?
Insane.
Angie took her time, just breathing in the scent of the books. Was there any other scent as good?
Maybe Jared’s scent.
Urgh, stop thinking about him.
“Hello again.”
She jumped with a scream.
“Oh, I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you.”
Turning, she gaped at the man standing there. What was he doing? Why would he sneak up on someone like that? Especially when he knew her past!
“I’m Richard Drews. Remember me from the other day?”
She didn’t reply. She was too busy trying to convince her body that this wasn’t a fight or flight situation.
“I really am sorry. I thought you would have heard me approach.”
Urgh. She probably should have. She’d been overwhelmed by books.
“Um, yes. I remember. Can I help you?”
“Well, I wondered if you still needed a job?” he asked.
Angie felt a leap of excitement, but then wariness filled her. Was it weird that he’d asked her to let him interview her only to turn around and offer her a job after she rejected him?
Was this a ploy to get her to answer questions from him?
“No strings.” He held up his hands. “It’s not actually even for me but for an older relative who needs help with his housework.
He’s looking for someone to clean and make meals.
That might not be what you’re looking for, but I know it’s a tough job market so I thought I would ask if I saw you again. ”
“You are sure he’d want me to help him?”
“Absolutely.” He nodded. “Would you like to meet him?”
She hesitated slightly. She didn’t know this man.
Angie was determined not to live her life afraid of everything. But she was finding that was much easier to say than do.
“Here, why don’t I give you my card,” he said. “I get it. You can’t trust me. But you can look me up if you like. Here.”
He held out a card and she took it, sliding it into her pocket.
“Message me if you want to meet my uncle about the job. Just don’t take too long, okay?”
“Thanks.” She watched him warily as he turned and walked away.
Then she headed over to the librarian. “Hi, I was just wondering if you knew that man.”
“What man?” she said shrilly.
“The one that just left. He was here the other day when I was here.”
The day when she announced that she’d been married to an abusive mafia kingpin.
“I can’t remember every person that comes in here,” the woman said huffily. “Now, I actually have work to do.”
Wow.
No wonder the library was so quiet with someone so cheerful working here.
Angie left with a sigh.