Chapter 16
S he looked like hell.
His protective instincts went into overdrive as he studied her.
What the hell had happened now?
It was Tuesday morning and Devi was behind the counter at the café like usual.
Except unlike usual, she didn’t really seem to be there. She was staring straight ahead as the customer in front of her tried to get her attention.
She looked pale, and thinner than before. And he didn’t think that had been possible. Her hair was lank and messy as though she’d pulled it back into a ponytail in a hurry, without combing it. She wore a long-sleeved sweater and worn jeans.
Her usual vibrancy was gone and he didn’t like it.
Go to her. Check on her.
He let out a huff of irritation. Kent hadn’t liked the idea of bugging Stein’s house. It was crossing a line and Hayes got where he was coming from.
But Stein wasn’t a good guy. Hayes knew it. He was also the kind of guy who might do a sweep for bugs, so Hayes understood why Kent had vetoed that idea.
It would be the end of his reputation if Stein discovered they were bugging him.
He’d also told Hayes he was considering pulling them out.
Hayes should have been pleased at that idea.
So why did he not want to go?
The woman across the counter from Devi reached out to touch her arm and Devi startled, jumping with a small scream.
Everyone in the café stopped talking and turned to look at her. He watched her face grow red as she stared around.
“Devi!” the guy behind the coffee machine snapped. “What is wrong with you? Why aren’t you serving people?”
Hayes glared at the guy. What a jerk.
“I’m so sorry, Mrs. Dearsley. Seems like I was miles away,” Devi said, her voice thick with embarrassment or tears.
Maybe a combination of both.
Anger surged inside him. He wanted to kill whoever had put that look on her face. And then he wanted to take care of her asshole boss who was still scowling at her.
“That’s all right, dear,” the old lady said. “Some of us just want to make certain you’re okay.” The elderly woman glared at Devi’s boss who turned away.
“I, um, just didn’t sleep well,” she said. “Can I . . . can I take your order?”
She wrote down what the older woman wanted and took it to the coffee machine. The guy leaned in and said something to her which had her flinching back.
Hmm. She seemed jumpy this morning as well as looking terrible.
What was going on?
“Good morning, Sondra, Hayes,” she said as she returned. “Your usual?”
“Yes, thanks, Demon,” Sondra said with a wave of her hand as she walked away after leaving some cash on the counter.
Devi stared after her and then, to his shock, she grinned up at him. “Did she really just call me Demon? And she didn’t even flinch.”
Hayes could care less about Sondra. Which wasn’t a good thing when she was the client. He ran his eyes over Devi’s face. “Did you sleep at all last night?”
This girl needed a keeper.
“Of course I did,” she lied.
Yep. Definitely in need of someone to take care of her. She wasn’t sleeping or eating by the look of her.
And she was lying about it.
“Are you in some kind of trouble, Devi?” he asked, leaning in.
She leaned toward him. “Are you?”
Yeah. Loads of it. Because it felt like every time he was around her, he fell under her spell even more .
Maybe he should push for Kent to pull them out. But it felt like they were too deep into this. Stein was in trouble, although it seemed like he’d dug his own hole so he didn’t care much about that bastard.
But that didn’t mean that Sondra wasn’t innocent. And that she wouldn’t get caught in the crossfire.
And then there was Devi. He was worried about her. And he couldn’t remember the last time he’d worried about anyone since May died.
That would mean caring about someone.
He wished he didn’t care. Life was much simpler when you didn’t.
However, there was something going on with her and he wanted to know what it was.
“I can help you, Devi.”
She let out a small laugh that didn’t sound the least bit believable.
“Why would I need help? I’m fine. Usual coffee?” she asked.
Frustration bit at him.
“Lying isn’t going to help you, little girl. You’ve already got one punishment coming.”
“What is it with everyone wanting to punish me lately,” she muttered.
“Excuse me?” he asked in a low voice. “Who else wants to fucking punish you?”
He absolutely hated the fear that filled her face.
What. The. Fuck.
Was she scared of him? This girl hadn’t shown an ounce of fear or wariness around him until right now.
“Is someone threatening you?” he asked. “Tell me, Devi.”
“What would you do if they were?”
“Kill. Them.”
“Holy heck.” She stared at him then smiled. “You know, I almost believed you. Kill them. Good one.”
“I don’t know why you think that’s a joke. It isn’t. I can protect you, Devi. Just tell me who to protect you from.”
For a moment, he thought she was going to tell him. Then she shook her head with another laugh.
“That’s so kind. I don’t think I’ve ever had someone threaten to kill for me. Lucky I don’t need anyone killed you’re too pretty to go to jail.”
An odd look filled her face as she said that. Was she thinking about her brother?
Fuck. He wanted to demand that she tell him everything that what happened with her brother. About why she worked two jobs but still lived in a trailer with her alcoholic father. About who put that haunted look on her face.
About whether she’d ever been with a Daddy Dom before.
Not that he was interested in a relationship.
“Devi!” her boss snapped.
“Sorry, I have to get back to work,” she said cheerfully. “But it was nice chatting. Have a great day.”
Hayes watched as she wandered over to where that asshole stood. He reached out and touched her arm. She seemed to flinch. Was he hurting her?
“Hey!”
They both jumped and turned to stare at him.
“Don’t touch her.”
The guy took a step away from Devi and Hayes gave a nod.
Good. Well, it was a start anyway. He didn’t like her working for this jerk.
Why did she stay in this job? Why were her finances in such a bad state?
Unless she’d taken out a loan or something to pay for her brother’s defense?
Hayes walked over to where Sondra was sitting. She was typing furiously on her phone but she put it down, turning it over as he sat.
She shot him a searching look. “You remember that you’re my bodyguard.”
Hayes turned to her. “Yeah, I remember my job.”
“Just seems like you spend more time watching that girl than me.”
“I’m not supposed to watch you, I keep an eye on your surroundings to search for any threats.”
“And were you doing that when you were talking to her?”
What the fuck?
He leaned back in his chair and crossed his arms over his wide chest. “You got a problem with the job I’m doing?”
Sondra eyed him, looking slightly nervous. Then she sighed and tapped her fingers against the table. “I would prefer not to have a bodyguard at all.”
“Get that it’s a hassle.”
“I don’t think you do. If I tell you something, do you have to tell Alan?”
He thought about that for a moment. “Only if it regards your safety or his, I guess.”
“I want to leave him. He’s . . . not a good person. I’ve stayed with him for years.” She shrugged her shoulders. “Mostly due to the money. But I’ve got . . . other options now, let’s say.”
Right.
So reading between the lines, she was having an affair. No wonder having him follow her around was cramping her lifestyle.
“How long you been having an affair?” he asked bluntly.
She glanced around with a frown. “Do you mind keeping your voice down? I don’t want Alan finding out.”
“Why are you telling me this, Sondra?”
“Because . . . I want to go visit a friend this afternoon.”
Right. Now he understood. She wanted to see her lover this afternoon and she wanted to ensure he wouldn’t tell anyone.
“I’m not going to tell your husband anything. Unless he directly asks me if you’re having an affair.”
She eyed him for a long moment. “I believe you.”
“Thanks,” he replied dryly.
“I know you probably think I’m a terrible person.”
Christ. How had he gotten involved in this conversation? And how could he get himself fucking out of it? Now?
“Don’t think about you at all.” He grimaced after saying that, but it was kind of the truth. Other than guarding her, he really didn’t think much about her.
Although he didn’t want to see her hurt because of her husband.
Sondra didn’t take offense, though. She just eyed him for a long moment. “I think you expend a lot of energy to keep people away. And I think you care more about others than you let on. Especially that girl. Deidre.”
“Devi,” he growled.
“See? Just what I mean.”
“Just because I know her name means nothing.”
“I know I seem like I’m selfish and oblivious, but I’m really not. For years I’ve been stuck in a loveless marriage with a selfish man who cares nothing for me. I just want to be happy without compromising my lifestyle.”
“Right,” he said.
Sondra leaned in and looked around. “Alan isn’t a good man, you know.
I understand that it’s your job to protect him, but there are a lot of people he’s pissed off over the years.
He defends hardened criminals. Sure, everyone deserves a defense.
But it’s strange how many witnesses end up dead or disappearing or changing their statements. ”
Holy fuck.
“Are you saying that your husband has something to do with that?”
Sondra shrugged. “I’m not saying anything. I’m just trying to get out with my life intact. You might consider whether this is a job you really want to continue doing.”
“Here are your drinks,” Devi said, walking up with a tired smile. She bent over to set the drinks down and then stood, swaying.
“Devi! Are you all right?” Hayes asked.
“Yep, I’m honky-dory!” she said cheerfully with a look over her shoulder at where her boss was watching her.
“Did he hurt you before? Tell me now,” Hayes said.
“Adam hurt you?” Sondra asked, actually looking concerned.
“Um, his name is Aaron,” Devi said. “And no, he just touched my arm where I already had a bruise.”
“Show me,” he demanded.
“Um, no.”
“Now.”
“Hayes,” she whispered. “Contrary to what you seem to believe you do not get to boss me around!”
Turning, she strode off, then she crashed right into a corner of the bench.
Ouch. That looked like it hurt. Which is probably how she got any bruises she had. She was so clumsy, it was starting to worry him.
Was clumsiness a sign of something else?
“You know, I quite like her,” Sondra said. “She seemed so boring and cheerful when I first met her. But she’s got gumption.”
“Did you know that her brother was a client of your husband’s?”
It was a risk asking her this. She could turn on him and go to Alan. But he now had some leverage on her as well.
Sondra looked genuinely surprised. “Really? How on earth did he afford Alan’s fees? That girl looks so poo. . . um, not wealthy.”
“Maybe that’s why she works so much? Perhaps she took out loans to pay your husband. He lost the case, too.”
“Did he?” Sondra frowned. “That’s . . . unusual. Not to say it hasn’t happened before. But Alan doesn’t like to lose. Was it a while ago?”
“The trial was a few months ago.”
Sondra looked thoughtful. “I didn’t know that. There must have been a lot of evidence against her brother if Alan couldn’t get him off.”
Hmm. The more that they looked into Stein . . . the less he cared whether the bastard lived or died.