Chapter 17
Sebastian waited outside the diner in the parking lot for over an hour.
After monitoring the security cameras at Grace Meadows and playing several levels of a word game app on his phone, Sebastian was getting impatient.
The ice in the coffee was halfway melted.
It was already past ten, but Caitlyn still hadn’t come out.
Bored with the game and nothing happening on the security feed, Sam’s email came to mind.
Using his burner phone, Sebastian sent a quick message to his old police chief, Razek.
He might not be able to do anything to answer Sam’s email, but Razek could on his behalf.
Razek might give him grief for it later, but Sebastian was willing to deal with it if it meant getting Silas away from Caitlyn and Owen.
He pocketed his phone and walked around the corner, a spark of anticipation igniting in his chest. The place was empty, save for Caitlyn, who was cleaning under the warm glow of the overhead lights.
Her hands moved efficiently as she wiped down the counter.
Even in the distance, he caught the way the light glinted off her black hair, the soft curve of her cheek as she tilted her head.
A wave of longing washed over him, a bittersweet pang for the life he wanted with her, shouldn’t want with her.
Not yet. Not while it wasn’t safe for them to be together.
He probably looked like an idiot walking around the front by the large windows.
He stood there with a sweating iced coffee in his hand as Caitlyn finished her work.
Stalker much? The self-deprecating thought soured the sweetness of seeing her.
About to tap on the glass, Caitlyn turned and headed to the back.
Sebastian abandoned his post and walked the length of the building on the parking lot side.
After all, lingering in the shadows made him appear more guilty of spying on her.
As he walked, a car engine rumbled. He tensed, his gaze snapping toward the sound.
A large black sedan pulled up to the curb.
A man got out, his movements measured and confident.
From his shadowed position, Sebastian couldn’t make out the man’s face.
He was tall and broad shouldered. Dark hair with a wave or maybe a natural curl.
He started walking toward the diner, and Sebastian stepped back against the brick of the building.
The man stopped just short of the entrance and looked around.
Silas? His head turned, standing under the lamplight.
The man gazed at Caitlyn’s SUV first, then Sebastian’s motorcycle.
They were the only two vehicles left in the lot.
Then the man smiled coldly. Calculating.
A sudden surge of rage rose within him. His hand instinctively reached for the familiar weight of the holstered gun strapped to his ankle.
But he forced himself still. The man approached the diner’s entrance.
Sebastian squinted, looking for any signs the man was packing heat.
His throat tightened as he remained quiet.
The man pounded on the door, his voice echoing in the silent night. “Cat!”
Seconds stretched into an eternity. Caitlyn wouldn’t answer.
The diner was closed. Frustration etched on his face, the man stalked back to the SUV.
Sebastian stayed hidden, his gaze glued to the taillights of the retreating car, memorizing the license plate as it disappeared into the darkness.
Only then did he allow himself to exhale, the tension draining from his body, leaving behind a cold sweat.
Somehow, he needed to find a way to ensure her safety without jeopardizing his own cover or exposing her to the truth of his past. That was where Razek came in.
His old police chief told him to call him if he ever needed anything.
Sebastian prayed he made the right choice.
He couldn’t stay here forever pretending to be someone else.
The back door swung shut behind Caitlyn. His heart hammered against his ribs. Laughter and adrenaline filled the day, creating an almost family-like atmosphere. But now, with it winding down, she looked tired and worn. Caitlyn wasn’t wearing the same shirt as when he dropped her off.
“Caitlyn,” he said, stepping out of the shadows and walking toward her. The other man was still fresh in his mind. Disappointment flickered in his chest. He wanted to question her about the man and, at the very least, warn her of his presence, but he didn’t want to scare her.
Caitlyn stopped short, surprise crossing her features in the glow of the outside lights. The streetlights cast a golden glow on her face, highlighting the soft curve of her cheek and the sparkle in her eyes. “What are you doing here?”
“Would you believe I was out taking a walk?”
“It’s almost eleven o’clock at night.”
“Sleepwalking.”
“Have you been here long?” she asked.
“Long enough.” He fell in step beside her and held out the iced coffee. She paused, then took the offering.
“Mmmmm,” she hummed, taking a long sip of it and twirling the straw, the plastic bending slightly in her grip. “So, you saw the guy at the door?”
“Yep.”
“You stalking me?” she asked directly, her eyes narrowing.
He held her gaze for a long beat, searching her face for any signs the man upset her. “That obvious, huh?” He winked, hoping to lighten the mood.
As they walked, her posture shifted, her shoulders eased, and her grip on the straw loosened.
He’d taken a chance, a good one, according to the smirk on her face.
They walked in silence for a few minutes until they reached her Jeep.
Caitlyn turned to him. “You waited all this time to bring me an iced coffee?” she said, her voice tight with emotion.
“I wanted to make sure you were all right.” He tucked his hands in his pockets before succumbing to the temptation to brush the stray hairs from her cheek.
“Because racing go-karts is tough on a girl,” Caitlyn responded, twirling the straw between her fingers once again. Despite the teasing, vulnerability crept into her voice.
“How did you know I needed this?” She sighed and took another long sip.
Sebastian played it safe. “Long day, and I admit I wanted to spend a few minutes alone with you without Owen.” He chose his words carefully, hoping it would spark a flicker of something more in her eyes. A hint that maybe, just maybe, this pull toward her wasn’t all one sided.
“We do that on the range on the weekends.” She tilted her head, sipping her ice coffee.
“That’s work.” But before he could continue, Caitlyn spoke, a hint of apprehension. “I suppose you’re wondering who the guy was, trying to get in.” She twirled the straw so the ice cubes inside her cup spun. “I wouldn’t have let him in.”
“Who was it?” Sebastian pressed gently.
“We’ve had one date. Don’t go all possessive on me,” she said. “Or I’ll have to dump you, and I would get awkward working together. Let’s not get awkward.”
“You considered today a date?” A satisfied smirk tugged at his lips. Sebastian tilted back on his heels. The call to Razek nagged in the back of his mind as he tried to contain the playful grin.
Caitlyn hesitated, then nodded slowly. “Yeah, didn’t you?”
“If that’s what you want to call it.” He leaned closer to her. “But next time, I plan to take you out,” he emphasized. “Just the two of us, the traditional way.”
The lightness in the air dissipated, and Caitlyn’s shoulders slumped. “I’m not sure it’s a good idea anymore.” She motioned between them. “You and me outside of work, that is.”
“Because of the guy at the door? Was that your ex?” Sebastian asked, softening his voice to gauge her comfort level. Part of him wanted to brush aside Silas as a mere inconvenience, but the call to Razek weighed heavily on him. Could he handle dealing with Caitlyn’s ex while protecting his family?
“Yeah. That was Silas. But I know my ex. He won’t stick around once he gets what he wants. It’s just a matter of time.” Caitlyn’s admission about Silas sticking around for what he wanted sparked a protective urge in Sebastian. Razek couldn’t answer his call fast enough.
“Then it’s a good thing I’ve got time. I’m here for you,” he said, taking his hand out of his pocket and running his fingers across her cheek.
Her lips parted, and she stepped back, letting his hand drop.
He glanced around the darkness. It wasn’t safe for them to linger out in an empty parking lot in the dark.
“Thanks for walking me to my car and the iced coffee.“ They stood there for a moment. The air crackled with a tension that both exhilarated him and terrified him.
“I have to pick up Owen. I’m late as it is. Everything went well when you dropped him off?” Caitlyn asked, digging in her pocket.
Sebastian cupped the back of his neck. The night flew by, and he wished they had more time, but the ever-present reality of his hidden past slammed the brakes on it.
“Sure,” he replied, his voice gruffer than intended.
“Well…,” she said, a flicker of something unreadable in her eyes. Was it apprehension, or perhaps a hint she regretted leaving too? “Good night.”
“Good night,” he said, his voice softening. “I can’t promise I won’t show up after you get off work to walk you to your car.” The words tumbled out, a mix of concern and a desperate attempt to extend their time together for a mere minute. “I want you safe.”
“You think Silas would hurt me?” She pulled out her keys. He prayed Razek followed through with his text request and helped Sam, who could pass it to Caitlyn to end this Silas business.
“I think you’re a strong, independent woman who can take care of herself.”
“But you came to check on me, anyway?” She unlocked the Jeep and held open the door.
“I came to steal a few minutes with you and bring you iced coffee,” he said, his voice coming out gruff, hoarse almost.