Chapter 21
Maggie
“Here’s your coffee. Your sandwich should be ready in just a few minutes. We’ll call your name.” With a smile, I gesture to the end of the counter so I can help who’s next.
Once the lady walks away, the next customer moves forward. My eyes trail up to the man’s face, and I freeze.
Oh no, did he see me with Ian? He wouldn’t tell me I was getting sent back to Chicago while I’m at work, would he? Maybe I can beg Ian to take me in and protect me. That’s his job, after all.
His face has a cocky smirk being sent in my direction, and anger pulls me from my racing thoughts. Swallowing down any weakness, I don’t feel bad about my greeting. “I hope you’re here for a latte, Jenson. I don’t have time for chit-chat.”
My skin crawls, his smile always making me a little nauseous. I, once again, wish Franklin, or really, anyone else, were my assigned agent.
“Maggie, good to see you in your new element with this job. Cute apron.”
My muscles tense as I grip the edges of the cash register. “What do you want?”
He glances around the coffee shop before leveling his hard stare back on me. “Medium black coffee. Relax, Maggie. It’s my job to check in on you.”
Apprehension weaves itself around me as I ring in his order. “That will be $4.62.”
I don’t waste my breath acknowledging anything else he said. I’m unsure what about him makes me the most uncomfortable, but something has my gut uneasy whenever he’s near me.
He hands me a five-dollar bill. With a cocky smirk, he says, “Keep the change.”
“Oh, wow. You’re so generous,” I mutter under my breath as I put the bill in the register.
I turn around and fill the cup. Placing the lid on, I blow out a calming breath between pursed lips before spinning back and handing him the drink.
With all the false bravado I can muster, I spit out, “Use the phone next time if you want to check in with me.”
With another smirk, he reaches out to take his drink. I fight the urge to yank my hand away when his fingers brush against mine.
Once I drop my hand back to the counter, I let my gaze move past him to the person in line behind him and force a smile. “I can help whoever’s next.”
The woman behind him takes my cue and steps forward, moving in front of Jensen so she’s between the two of us. If I didn’t think it would be weird, I would hug her. Not that it protects me from him, but the stress tightening my body eases.
Protect me. What an odd thing to think.
The fact that my mind went there is unnerving, but I chastised myself for being dramatic. Jenson is supposed to be someone who protects me, not someone from whom I need protection. He is just an asshole.
I take a few more orders as Jenson lingers across the shop.
He chose a chair that keeps me in his direct line of sight.
Movement draws my eyes from the customer I’m helping, and Jenson pulls his phone out of his pants pocket.
He frowns down at the screen before typing something, then he stands and throws his cup away, and without even a quick glance in my direction, he walks out the door.
As relieved as I was to see him drive away, the unsettled feeling his visit caused doesn’t leave me until long after he does.
The urge to tell Ian everything has been brewing since we got back together.
Besides wanting to continue this relationship on a foundation of truth, I’m also desperate to have someone who’s unquestionably there for me. And I know Ian is that person.
I just have to muster the courage to confess all my sins and hope that he still wants to be with me after he knows the kind of person I really am and the danger that surrounds me.
Ella: Hey girl! Are you still coming tonight?
I sink down onto my couch. I haven’t seen Ian for two days because he’s been busy with work, and I’ve really missed him.
Ella texted yesterday and asked me to come over for dinner.
I wanted to ask if Ian was going to be there but resisted.
I could call or text Ian, but again, I hold back.
I know he’s busy with work, and he works so hard.
I don’t want to annoy him. We’ve talked, but it’s been short and sporadic.
I drop my head to the back of the couch and stare at the ceiling for a few minutes. Picking up my phone, I open my texts with Ella.
Me: Yes! I’ll be there. Can I bring anything?
Ella: Yay! Nope, we have everything covered.
Rolling my shoulders to alleviate some tension, I stand to go take a shower. I don’t want to show up at Jack and Ella’s smelling like coffee, even if it is my favorite scent.
Well, besides Ian.
Twenty minutes later, I wrap a towel around my body and walk back into the living room to get my phone. Excitement rolls through my body when I see the name on my phone.
Ian: I miss you. I’m sorry I have been busy these last couple of days.
I walk into the kitchen to pour a cup of coffee.
Me: That’s okay. I understand how hard you work. Are you going to Jack and Ella’s for dinner tonight?
Ian: I am. Ella said you’re coming. I would offer to come pick you up, but I think I’ll get out of this event late and don’t want to make you have to show up even later.
Happiness that he’ll be there warms me almost as much as the cup of coffee.
Me: I can drive myself. I’m glad you’re going to be there.
Ian: Pack a bag. You’re coming over. I don’t want to spend another night away from you.
I bite my bottom lip. Being with Ian tonight will make up for the fact that Jenson showed up at work.
Me: I can’t wait to spend the night with you.
Ian: Don’t plan on staying at Jack and Ella’s for long.
Exciting zings settle in my core, thinking about going home with Ian.
Me: You won’t get an argument from me.
Ian: See you soon, beautiful.
I set my phone on my nightstand and finish getting ready, more eager than ever to get to Ella’s.
As I lay out my outfit on my bed, I hear my phone vibrate.
I circle the bed, expecting it to be Ella or Ian.
I stare at my phone for a moment, not recognizing the number.
It’s a Chicago area code. Worried it might be something about the trial, maybe the prosecutor, even though they don’t normally call me directly. I answer it with a trembling hand.
“Hello?”
“Maggie, how are you, old friend?”
My legs immediately give out. I would be on the floor if I weren’t standing next to my bed. I press a hand to my chest to calm my racing heart.
“David.”
David was Reese’s best friend. They grew up together and were inseparable. Including when they moved on to criminal activity. I press my fingertips to my lips as nausea churns in my stomach.
“Yep, it’s me. What have you been up to these last few months?”
My breath comes out in pants. “How did you get this number?”
“That’s the odd part, Maggie. You changed your number. You moved. And I can’t find your parents.”
While my parents and siblings aren’t in witness protection like I am, they were strongly encouraged to move out of Chicago.
Until now, I had no idea if they did. The only solace David calling me will ever give me is that they seemed to heed that warning.
Jenson would never confirm or deny what they did, which I hated but understood.
I try to make my voice as strong as possible. “I don’t know what to tell you, David. I felt like I needed a fresh start after everything. My family doesn’t talk to me anymore. They disowned me because of my being with Reese.”
“Hmm…I suppose that’s possible.” The line is so silent, I pull the phone away from my ear to see if it has disconnected. “There’s another possibility.”
My hand fists the blanket next to my hip.
“Surely, you wouldn’t be that fucking stupid to testify, would you, Maggie?” David draws out.
I can barely swallow. I feel like I might suffocate. But I force myself to answer as calmly as possible. “No, I wouldn’t do that.”
David hums through the phone. “That’s what I thought. I told Reese you wouldn’t do that.”
Wetting my suddenly parched lips, I say, “I have to go, David.”
“Okay, it was good talking to you, Maggie. Maybe I’ll see you around.”
“Yeah, maybe.”
My hand drops to my lap as I press the screen to disconnect.
I sit on my bed, my body shaking uncontrollably, until fear has me springing into action.
Jumping up from my bed, I scroll through my contacts until I find the one I need.
I pace through my bedroom, forgetting that I’m only in my thong and bra.
“What, Maggie?”
“Jenson, I’m sorry to call you, but I think I’m in trouble.”
His annoyed and disinterested sigh has my feet freezing. “And why would you think that?”
“David, Reese’s friend, just called me. Said something about it being suspicious that I left town and have a new number, and he warned me not to testify.” My words tumble out of my mouth despite being frustrated by Jenson’s initial response. He’s the only person I have to contact.
Jenson is silent for a few beats. I can feel sweat starting to form around my hairline.
“I’m sure it’s nothing.”
My head rears back, and I throw a hand in the air. “Nothing? The best friend of the man I’m supposed to help convict just called me on a number no one from my past life is supposed to have, and all you have to say is, it’s probably nothing?”
His tone doesn’t change. “Relax, it’s not like he can trace it. It’s not even a Nashville area code. We’ll get you a new number.”
“Can you please just make some calls?” My voice borders on frantic.
Another annoyed sigh grates on my already shredded nerves. “Fine. Just don’t do anything stupid in the meantime, I guess.”
The line goes silent. I look at my phone. He hung up on me.
My eyes fall closed as a tear slips down my cheek. I pick up my phone one more time.
Me: Hey Ella, I’m not feeling well. I won’t be able to make it tonight.