Chapter Twelve
Kieran locked the door behind the last customer.
It was just after four, and the shelves were bare.
There wasn’t a single muffin, cookie, or cupcake remaining.
Most of the town’s population had ventured through the doors since they opened.
Some came to check on Georgia’s well-being, but most wanted to hear firsthand what had happened yesterday.
“Is that it?” Hand on the small of her back, Georgia peeked out from the kitchen.
“Yes, you can come out of hiding.”
“I wasn’t hiding.” When he gave her a pointed look, she gave an unrepentant shrug. “Okay, so I was totally hiding.”
“You didn’t mind throwing me to the wolves.” He crossed the room and leaned against the front counter.
“Please.” She waved a hand in front of her. “You’re tough, you can handle it. You were all tall, dark, and broody. I was listening from the back. No one dared question you. I’m sure the women you served the first day were wondering if you’d been replaced by an evil twin.”
She slapped her fingers over her mouth. “I’m sorry. I’m tired and my thoughts ran away from me, but that’s no excuse. That was totally uncalled for. I realize you have a lot on your mind right now, and I appreciate you helping out.”
“No need to apologize.” She wasn’t wrong.
With his social mask ripped away, he was the detached—some might argue soulless—man he’d always been beneath.
He’d put up a fine front for centuries, for himself and his father, while protecting the tender kernel of light in his soul.
Able to smile and offer sympathy and assurance he didn’t actually feel to newly departed souls.
The darker emotions like anger and jealousy swirled inside him.
Beyond them lurked an abyss of emptiness.
Many of today’s customers had been uncomfortable around him.
Few had lingered. And only a couple had dared to actually question him about the accident.
It wasn’t only his aloofness and size that had kept them at bay.
While his abilities might be locked down, apparently there was enough reaper in him to bother the more sensitive and perceptive souls. They sensed the danger around him.
The few times Georgia had brought baked goods to the front or jumped in to help with a crowd, people had taken advantage, peppering her for details. “You didn’t escape talking about it.”
Groaning, she went behind the counter and began to make iced coffee.
“Recounting yesterday’s events was fine the first few times.
After that, it just seemed like indulging morbid curiosity.
I mean, we’re fine. Mr. Davis is still in the ICU.
What else is there to say? Joley Bragg was particularly insistent.
That woman has her nose in everyone’s business.
Personally, I think she hung around to keep an eye on you. ”
She’d done more than that. She’d leaned across the counter, giving him a view of her ample breasts, before settling at one of the tables to watch him. Nothing about her had even remotely tempted him. “What’s her story?”
“You want one?” She held out a cup. “I need a pick-me-up. I have a ton to do before I head home this evening.”
He took it, their fingers grazing. A tingle ran up his arm. “Thanks.”
She absently rubbed her hand on her apron before starting on another one.
“What’s her story? Joley Bragg was the most popular girl in school.
Not quite a mean girl but close enough. Went off to college after high school, married a lawyer, got divorced a few years later, then came home to Redemption and started searching for husband number two.
” Taking a sip of the iced coffee, Georgia sighed.
“God, that tastes good. I heard a rumor she made a play for Sam when he showed up. Not sure about Alex, but I wouldn’t be surprised.
That woman has built-in radar when it comes to handsome strangers rolling into town.
It was only a matter of time before she came to check you out. ”
“She already had.”
Her eyes widened. “When?”
“I stopped at the diner my first day here. She came over and introduced herself.” She’d done more than that. She’d all but propositioned him, but there was no need to share that bit of information.
Georgia shrugged. “Guess she figured she’d give it another try. It’s not like she’d see me as competition. What are your plans for this evening?”
The abrupt change in subject reminded him of their hot kiss in the kitchen this morning.
He’d done his best to forget about it all day, but at random times it would pop into his head, making it difficult to concentrate on the task at hand.
He’d worn a store apron around his waist and was glad he had.
It had saved several customers from getting an eyeful of his hard-on.
Not that some of the women like Joley would have minded.
He was relaxed about his sexuality. He was far too old to have any hang-ups, but oddly enough, he felt protective about what was happening between him and Georgia. It was no one else’s business.
She was right on one count, but she had it backward.
Joley was the one who was no competition when it came to Georgia.
Being in close proximity now that they were alone was making it difficult not to reach for her.
There were dark circles beneath her eyes, her face was flushed, and her apron was stained, but her natural beauty shone through.
He fought the urge to comfort her, to take her in his arms. Her lips would be sweet and taste of coffee.
The walls began to close in around him. “I’m going for a walk.” Leaving his drink on the counter, he whipped off the apron and headed for the door. “Lock up behind me.”
“Kieran?”
Cursing himself for a fool, he halted. The longer he stayed, the better the chance he’d do something they’d both regret.
Neither of them had been thinking clearly this morning.
Her sexual advances had been fueled by a combination of her ex-boyfriend’s visit and anger.
His had been driven by jealousy and pure madness.
He wouldn’t hold her to anything she’d suggested.
Earlier actions aside, she’d had all day to think things through and had likely changed her mind.
“If you need someone to talk to, I’m a good listener.”
Her kindness was almost his undoing. Every instinct he possessed screamed at him to stay.
That would be a mistake. There was no happy ending for either of them.
There was only suffering and death. He got the door open and managed not to slam it on the way out.
The lock clicked behind him, the finality making him flinch.
His feet were glued to the spot, every cell in his body demanding he pound on the entrance until he was admitted. But there was no place for him in her life. Hands fisted at his sides, jaw taut, he stalked down the sidewalk without looking back.
Having had his fill of people, he turned away from the downtown core and headed in the opposite direction of Main Street, toward the town limits. Being unable to leave, having another being control his actions, was frustrating.
Oh, he’d always been aware his father pulled his strings.
He was the Grim Reaper—Death himself. He made the assignments, sent them all where they needed to be.
But Kieran and his brothers strained at the reins.
Normal reapers were content to do their jobs and socialize with others of their kind.
He and his brothers were accepted, but not welcomed, among them.
They existed in a sort of limbo, nowhere on par with their father—the magnitude of his abilities was mere speculation—but more powerful than normal reapers.
He yearned to reach out to his brothers, to talk to them. He had no idea if they felt the same, or if it was only him. Samael had always seemed larger than life. Even now, with his abilities gone, he had a commanding presence. Alexiares had always been rough and ready and game to try anything.
When had they lost touch and become virtual strangers?
He pulled out the phone Alex had given him, his finger hovering over the number for Ivy House.
Then, swearing, he tucked it back in his pocket.
He doubted his brother would want to talk to him, not after he’d made it clear at breakfast that he was here to finish the assignments his brothers had started.
While he was mired in his thoughts, the miles passed quickly, and he hit the town limits. Caw! Perched on the town’s sign, Malaki announced his presence.
“Leave me the hell alone,” he told the bird. “I know what I’m supposed to do. Trust me, I’m not trying to leave town.” That wasn’t an option.
He squashed the idea of spending his remaining days with Georgia.
Whatever his brothers had done to get a reprieve for the lives of their women, their father had made it clear that wasn’t an option for him.
He had two choices. If he failed his task, he’d face exile.
There was no way he could remain in Redemption, not without Georgia and with the daily reminder of his brothers’ happiness.
Resentment bubbled inside him. “Why me?” he muttered, and pointed a finger at the crow.
“Why did the old man bother with me? It’s like he wanted an excuse to fuck up the life I’d managed to carve out.
And what’s the deal with the old man, Mr. Davis?
He’s still alive. Why did Dad bother to appear at the accident scene if it wasn’t the man’s time to die, other than to mess with me? ”