Chapter Twelve
Riglan
Holy shit—the omega human waiting for me in the café was the very one my ferret and I had both encountered that day by the alleyway. When he walked in, I lifted my sunglasses to get a better look. How had that happened?
A smug feeling emanating from my middle answered that question. My ferret knew. How? And why did he care?
While he moved to the table I’d told him to take and ordered his coffee in a to-go cup, it was obvious how nervous he was about our meeting.
His eyes darted right and left, his face pale and lips trembling.
Watching him sitting there so alone and vulnerable, I wanted to find whoever was tormenting him and tear them apart piece by piece.
Why had they set on an innocent like this?
Had he done something unawares that made him a target?
I knew the moment he spotted me, his roving gaze settling on mine, somehow recognizing me as the person he was here to meet despite the hoodie pulled close around my face and the sunglasses I wore. He was the man from the alleyway.
He didn’t bring his devices as I’d asked. Meeting me was enough of a risk, and I appreciated the fact that he’d done it while still being cautious. When I moved to join him, and we spoke, I learned more about his carefulness and his fear.
I asked him to trust me. He had no reason to, except desperation, and I told him I had unblocked him out of sympathy. Not trying to be kind or anything else, just honest.
And he asked me how he could be sure?
Was it at that point I knew I couldn’t pass him along to someone else for help?
Maybe.
He hadn’t ordered any food, and I wasn’t sure if it was because he didn’t want to spend the money or what, but I couldn’t eat while he had coffee in a paper cup.
Not and survive my ferret’s squeals. So I made my best guess that he would like what I did to snack on and ordered fries and churros, enough to share.
If it wasn’t money, then the stress of the constant attacks on him in so many ways was making him unable to eat enough to nourish his body.
Until we were sitting together, I hadn’t realized how bad it was.
I called the server over and ordered another dessert. It wasn’t necessarily the healthiest food, but he’d gobbled the churros so eagerly, I thought he might be easier convinced to eat more sweets. “I never can resist the mini pastries here,” I said, trying to keep it casual. “Have you tried them?”
“No. I’ve passed the place a million times, but never come in. The fries were great.”
“They actually have tasty sandwiches, quiche, all sorts of things, but I tend to come in when I want a treat.” The server returned with the plate holding a dozen of the pastries, and I flashed a glance at her. She winked.
She’d given me double what I’d ordered. Probably because she mistook the purpose of our meeting. I’d never come in here with a date. Never went in anywhere with a date. Who had time for that?
Sure, I had a vague thought that I might have a mate one day, but since I spent most of my time in my own house, my social life was almost exclusively online, even Fate was going to have a hard time putting anyone in my path.
“These look amazing. Is that a Napoleon?” He picked up one comprised of layers of flaky pastry, cream, and a chocolate design on top.
“I’m not sure. I mostly just eat them.” Lifting a cream puff, I said, “I know what this is.”
He laughed. “Me too. They sure are generous with their desserts.”
I didn’t bother to mention the unusually generous portion we’d received. Just commented, “I’ve never been disappointed here yet.”
Despite the large quantity, we left an empty plate.
Most of the goodies went into Malone because the only thing better than eating them was watching him do the same.
I bought him another coffee, listening to him talk about the effect the stalking had on his life.
He hadn’t had a good night’s sleep in months.
Even if nothing came through on a given night, he felt like he was waiting for it to happen.
His dreams were permeated with terrifying messages and threats.
The only thing he really managed to keep together was his work because it was necessary for survival.
When he finished, I knew I couldn’t keep him at a distance, hand him off to someone else to help. I had to do it myself because I was good and could see to it that this person never harmed him, or anyone, ever again.
Having finished up all the drinks and food, we had no more excuses to hang out at the café.
It was time to go. But I didn’t want to leave him.
I wanted to protect him, to ensure that he shed no more tears—which he had not admitted to, but I was fairly sure he had—and lost not one more moment of sleep, skipped no more meals over this matter.
“I think we need to continue this in a more private setting.”
He narrowed his gaze. “What do you mean? Aren’t you ready to pass me along?”
“Not now. I would like to take this a little further first. I never do this, but would you be willing to come over to my house with those devices so I can review what’s on them?”
I saw the doubt in his eyes before he suppressed it and said, “You did ask me to trust you.”
“And will you?”
“I don’t see an option. I can’t live like this.”
“Then get your stuff and meet me at my house in fifteen minutes.” He should have no problem doing that. Yes, I knew his address.
“That’s going to be a tight squeeze.”
“Drive carefully.”