Chapter 9
Chapter nine
Gator
We left Three Bears just after sunrise, Julius clutching his travel mug like it was the last lifeboat off the Titanic. I had one too, but mine was black coffee while his smelled like pure sugar and vanilla.
I opened the passenger door for him. “How chivalrous.”
I leveled him with a look. “Get in the SUV.”
He rolled his eyes but climbed in. “So bossy in the morning.”
He didn’t say much as we drove through early traffic, and neither did I. He was normally so chatty that I figured if he was being quiet, he probably had a reason. Other than the fact that someone was out to get him.
When we parked in front of The Shag Shack, he let out a breath. It was subtle, but I heard it.
“Ready?” I asked.
“You really think this is necessary? They’re going to have questions, and I don’t want to worry them.”
I shrugged. “It isn’t necessary at all. You can always call and tell them you aren’t feeling well and take a few days off.”
“I told you that wasn’t an option.”
“Okay. Then yes. This is necessary.”
He huffed but swung his legs out of the truck. “Fine.”
I scanned the street, the other shops, the parked cars.
Nothing seemed off, but that didn’t mean a damn thing.
Julius was safe at Three Bears Headquarters, but not here.
Whoever it was who was after him knew where he worked.
They’d already shown up once so there was no reason to believe they wouldn’t be back.
Inside, the salon was already waking up. The big front windows let in a wash of light over the sleek chairs and colorful product displays. The place smelled like hairspray, expensive shampoo, and too-sweet coffee.
Harper was the first to spot us. She looked up from wiping down her station and grinned. “Look who’s finally gracing us with his presence.”
“Morning, Harper,” Julius sang, voice switching from clipped to sugary-smooth in an instant. “I brought my”— he paused—“Gator. I brought Gator with me. He’ll be hanging out today. Just to keep an eye on things.”
She cocked an eyebrow at me. “Hi, Gator.”
I nodded. “Morning.”
Devon peered out from the back room, arms full of towels. His eyes went wide when he saw me, then flicked to Julius. “Um. Hi.”
“Hi, sugar.” Julius’s voice softened as he reached out to muss Devon’s hair on his way past. “Go on, get those washed.”
Devon scrambled away, mumbling something about spin cycles.
Migs sauntered in from the back, sunglasses on top of his head, even though we were inside. He clocked me instantly, gaze raking me from boots to shoulders with a theatrical flourish.
“Oh my,” he said. “I didn’t know you were bringing dessert.”
Julius shot him a look. “Don’t start.”
Migs ignored him, extending a perfectly manicured hand to me. “Hi, I’m Migs.”
I shook his hand because I was raised right. “Gator.”
He brightened. “Of course you are.”
Julius cleared his throat loudly. “Okay, everyone, focus. Gator’s here because of those assholes who took that guy at the club. You know, the one I saw at the wedding. He’s going to be hanging around today.”
Tori poked her head out from the color bar. “Like, all day?”
“Yes, all day.”
Harper’s eyes sparkled with mischief. “So is he your boyfriend or just your personal bouncer?”
“Neither,” Julius snapped, cheeks flushing, and it took everything in me not to correct him. He was right, though, I wasn’t either, at least not yet.
Migs grinned. “Good to know.”
Julius pointed at Migs. “You have a boyfriend, so behave.”
Migs rolled his eyes and let out a dramatic sigh. I could see why he and Julius were friends. They were a lot alike.
I didn’t say a damn thing. Just picked a spot near the door, where I could see the whole floor and the big glass front windows.
Julius ignored me for all of thirty seconds before drifting back over. “Do you have to stand there looking all imposing and shit?”
“Yes.”
Julius huffed. “Can’t you sit down? Pretend you’re normal? You’re going to scare the customers.”
I glanced around and chose a spot that was out of the way but still gave me a good view out front and of Julius’s station. “I’ll just sit over here.”
“Thank you.” He spun around and headed off to his chair, calling for his first client with a big fake smile.
I watched the rest of them work. They had a rhythm, a dance almost. Harper sang along with the playlist while cutting layers into someone’s hair.
Tori consulted nervously over color swatches, but laughed when the client cracked a joke.
Migs wandered around, offering opinions no one asked for, but everyone seemed to appreciate.
Devon mopped the floor twice, even though it didn’t need it, shooting me anxious glances.
And Julius… Julius was a fucking magician with people. He made them laugh, he teased them, he listened. He touched their shoulders reassuringly or tapped their knees when he wanted them to hold still. Watching him work felt weirdly intimate.
He caught me staring once and raised an eyebrow, lips quirking.
I didn’t look away.
After a while, Migs sauntered over and offered me a coffee in a ridiculous cup with Princess printed on the side.
“Really?” I asked.
“It’s the only clean one,” he said cheerfully.
I didn’t believe him, but I took it anyway.
“Julius isn’t good at taking help,” Migs said quietly. “Try to be patient with him.”
I nodded and watched as Migs went back to work.
Then I shifted my attention back to Julius.
I’d wanted him since the first time I’d seen him at the club, but Migs’s comment made me realize how little I knew about him.
Why wasn’t he good at taking help? Why was he so good at putting on a fake smile and acting like nothing was wrong, even when that wasn’t the case at all?
That mask was one he seemed way too comfortable wearing if you asked me.
He’d told me that being over-the-top and flirty was his go-to when he was anxious or afraid, but who was the real Julius Petros underneath all of that bravado?
I wanted to know the answers, but now wasn’t the time. Not when someone out there wanted to hurt him.
A little after one, Julius wandered over to where I was sitting.
“My last client just canceled. Do you want to get something to eat?”
“Sure.” I shrugged. “Why not?”