4. Taylan
Chapter Four
TAYLAN
Friar’s Bar is nearly empty when I walk in, the neon sign outside buzzing. The lights are dim inside and the malty smell of beer mixes with meat the chef is grilling in the kitchen. Poupon sniffs the air, his eyes lighting up. Apart from Carl, the local weather-predicting old-timer, I’m the only other customer.
Laurence Friar, the owner, gives me a nod and opens up a bottle of beer. He makes a point of knowing all the firefighters’ drink orders. Often people in town will buy us drinks to say thank you for something we’ve done, so it makes his life easier if he knows what to serve us without needing to ask.
I walk Poupon over to the corner seat. It’s partly hidden behind an enormous oversized beer keg. Grizz likes to joke that’s the only thing in the bar that could get him drunk. Poupon sits under the table, looking up at me expectantly. Maybe I’m giving him too many dog treats, but I don’t want him barking and drawing attention to us. I get out my book and reach for the glasses in my shirt pocket. My brother has 20/20 vision and teases me that I look like Clark Kent when I wear them.
The door opens and Ava walks inside. Every muscle in my body is tense. I want to walk over to her, scoop her up, and run out the door. Whisk her away from that crook Silas Thorn and any potential danger she might be in. She wants this to play out on her terms, but I have no qualms about stepping in to protect her.
Ava sweeps her golden hair into a ponytail in an elegant gesture I’ve watched so many times. She orders a glass of wine and sits on a table directly opposite the door, her bag in her lap. Smart thinking. She’ll know as soon as Silas arrives. I try not to stare at her, but it’s impossible. Being in the same room as her makes my heart speed up and my dick hard. It’s like she’s cast a spell and I’m entranced.
I need to get it together if I’m going to be useful.
The door swings open and Silas walks in. He’s not a big man, but he’s well-muscled and in reasonable shape for his age. Ava’s eyes widen and she clutches her bag closer. His eyes narrow and he raises his hand to her in a mocking salute. He walks over to the bar, orders a glass of whisky, and then sits at her table. Neither of them say anything for a minute.
“Ava. You look tired.”
I have to strain to hear her reply.
“I don’t care what you think I look like. I have what you asked for. Now will you get out of here and leave us alone? Snowflake Falls is no place for someone like you.” She’s leaning forward, keeping her eyes on his hands.
Silas shakes his head slowly back and forth. Under the table, Poupon emits a low growl I’ve never heard before. I clench my fists.
“First, you steal my money. Then, you steal my grandfather’s pistol. I should file a police report. And you think I’m going to leave you alone? What do you think I am, girl, some kind of weakling? How dare you disrespect me. As for your mother…”
Ava jabs her finger at him. “You keep my mom’s name out of your disgusting mouth. How dare you talk about her! She did nothing but try with you and you–”
“Shut your mouth and give me the pistol, girl. Pass it under the table. It’s not yours.”
“Look, Silas. We left in a hurry. Mila grabbed your pistol instead of the one we inherited from Dad by mistake.” She hands him a wrapped package under the table, which he holds on his lap.
“I always thought your sister was stupid. An airhead. Decent in the kitchen, like your mother. It’s all women are good for. What about my money?” He drains his glass. I want to go over and knock him off his chair.
Ava thumps the table with her fist. “How dare you? You stole our inheritance. You made Mom’s life a misery. I took back what you stole so we could make a fresh start.”
Silas’s expression is sour. “You know what I believe, girl? A man’s entitled to the money his women have. I’m the head of the family. Your money is my money.”
Ava’s voice is incredulous. “My father’s money?”
He shrugs. “He’s long dead. What I say goes. And I say you stole what’s mine.”
Ava is dangerously still. She has the look of someone about to do something foolish. I rise in my chair, scooping up the dog.
“You do?”
“I do. And while you pay me my money back, your mother can live with me. Insurance for the payment. Otherwise I’ll go to the sheriff and your lives will get complicated.” He looks pleased with himself.
Ava’s hand closes around her glass. I stride over, knocking over a chair on purpose to get both of their attention. Poupon starts yapping at the noise.
“My beautiful fiancée, don’t tell me that you’ve forgotten our date tonight…” I close my hand on her arm, just as she raises it, ready to toss her drink in her stepfather’s face. With the other hand, I give her Poupon, who’s delighted and starts licking her face.
Silas scoots his chair back as I angle my body between the two of them.
“And who’s this? Don’t you want to introduce me?” I ask, putting on a relaxed, polite tone.
I pull her to her feet, putting my arm around her shoulders.
Ava’s looking at me like I’m from another planet, but she goes along with me. “Oh, it’s nothing.”
I smile through gritted teeth. “Let’s get home. This firefighter needs his supper and we have to fit those shelves.” I glance over at Silas. “She has so many books!”
He nods. “You’re living together? You’re engaged?”
“Yes, it was love at first sight. Snowflake Falls is known as the Love Town, haven’t you heard? It’s famous for it.”
Silas makes a disgusted face, but he seems to be buying this whole act. “Ava, I’ll be back on Monday. Tell your mother what I said.”
I don’t give her a chance to reply, leading her out of the bar and onto the street. She’s trembling with rage, but even through the anger I can’t escape how soft she is in my arms. How good she smells. How much I want to run my fingers through her hair and kiss her.
“I’m driving you home.”
Ava doesn’t protest. “What was all that about? Fiancée ?”
I hold open the car door. “I didn’t want him to know you lived alone.”
“How do you know I live alone?”
Shit.
“The Chief told me. When Mila moved in with him.”
She runs her fingers through her ponytail, then takes it out so her hair falls around her face. Her tea scented-shampoo mixed with the scent of her perfume makes my dick twitch.
“Well, I live on Birch Drive. Number 43. And yes, I guess it’s better he doesn’t think I’m on my own. But I can take care of myself, Taylan.” She puts Poupon down and he hops over onto the backseat to curl up.
“I can see that. But throwing a drink at him in a public place just makes his story more credible.”
“His story is garbage. I didn’t steal anything.”
“I know that.” I need to be careful here. I know a lot more than I’m telling her, but I don’t want to reveal too much too soon. She’s already worried and upset.
“My Dad left my sister and I money when he died. It was in an account that Silas accessed. He gambled it all away, I think. He was hurting Mom. I got us away by taking the cash in his safe. It was less than we were owed, but it was enough to start over here.”
I park outside her house. “I think you were very brave. He’s a nasty piece of work.”
“I hate him. And I’ve never hated anyone before in my life. I’m more of a lover than a fighter…” Her voice cracks and I take her hand. It’s soft in mine. We sit still as I stroke my thumb over her knuckles, the contact making my heart thud in my chest. She’s breathing faster as she looks up at me. My eyes lock on hers and I can’t look away.
I raise my hand to touch her cheek, leaning closer as I stroke her skin. I’ve wanted this for such a long time. To be this close to her, breathing in her scent.
I shouldn’t kiss her before I’ve told her everything, but I do. Our lips fit together perfectly, like they’re made for each other. My dick is rock hard as I explore her mouth with my tongue, running my fingers through her silky hair. She moans softly and I want to pull her onto my lap.
Poupon starts to bark and I reluctantly pull away. Her chest is heaving and we’re both breathing hard.
“I don’t know what I’m doing.” Her voice is soft.
“It’s okay. You need to get some rest. Shall I come inside?” I ask.
She shakes her head. “I have to process what Silas said. But thank you for looking out for me.”
Ava opens the door quickly and gets out. She runs up the path to her house, her hair fluttering in the breeze. I start up the car and park it in a more inconspicuous position down the street.
There’s no way I’m not keeping an eye on her with Silas around.
Looks like I’m here all night.