Chapter 2
I worried the side of my lip as I waited for the mystery man’s food to come up. Every few seconds, I’d steal a look at him. Sometimes I’d catch a glimpse of those golden amber eyes. Other times, the sharp jawline. But it was the scar that entranced me most.
I had a million and one questions about it. How had he gotten it? Falling off his bike when he was a little kid? Or through some more twisted cause? Something that matched the darkness that radiated off him.
It was more than a darkness, though. It was a brutality. And that knowledge had me swallowing hard.
A hand landed on my shoulder, and I jumped as I whirled.
Betsy frowned at me. “What’s gotten into you lately?”
I forced a laugh that sounded anything but authentic. “Just lost in my thoughts again.”
Those eyes of hers narrowed in that way that called bullshit. “Don’t forget to have Sal make you dinner before you leave.”
Warmth spread through me at that. As rough around the edges as Betsy could be, she cared.
She was probably the only person in my life who did.
She made sure I always had at least one good meal on the days I worked.
She’d make excuses of buying too much of this or that and gave me the “extras”.
And every Christmas and birthday, there was always something from her, the only thing I’d unwrap on those days.
“I will. Thanks, B.”
She just shook her head and moved toward the back office, not one for gratitude of any sort. It made her uncomfortable.
The bell on the server window dinged. “Order up,” Sal called as if I weren’t standing right there.
There it was, the turkey melt. I studied it for a moment, trying to decide if the brooding guy at table five would like it. If he didn’t, would he slice my throat right there?
I shoved the ridiculous thought from my head and grabbed the plate. I headed for his table, careful to avoid any patrons milling about. Sliding the plate into place, I kept my focus low, away from those amber eyes.
“Would you like anything else?” I asked softly.
There was no response.
My insides churned, and I forced my gaze up.
“What’s your name?”
My throat went dry. If he were some serial killer, I really shouldn’t be giving him any personal information, but I didn’t feel like I had any choice. “Leighton.” The word was barely audible, but it was there.
A muscle in his jaw ticked. As if just my name pissed him off.
“How long have you worked here?” he asked, voice gruff.
It was an odd question. Who cared how long I’d worked here? Was this his bizarre way of flirting? Questioning a suspect before he dispatched them to hell?
“Three years.”
There was the slightest lift of his brows at that. If I hadn’t been such a student of human nature, I would’ve missed it. The infinitesimal movement made his scar stand out that much more. “You would’ve been what? Fourteen?”
“Yes.”
Why did I keep answering him? It was as if I had no control over my own mouth anymore.
He scowled, his irises darkening, and I stumbled back a few steps.
Someone slammed into me, and I let out a soft cry as their broad form connected with the bruises on my side.
The guy at table five was on his feet in a flash, shoving the boy who had crashed into me. “Watch where you’re going.”
The boy was one I recognized from school. He was one I avoided like the plague because he was cruel. Brian. He snarled, about to snap something back, but then he caught sight of my defender and paled. “I didn’t see her, man.”
Table five guy glared at Brian. “Then you should pay better attention.”
Each word held barely restrained rage.
“Y-yeah, sure. Sorry.” Brian hurried away toward his group of friends.
Table five guy turned to me. He reached out as if he might touch me and then snatched his hand back. “Are you okay?”
I nodded rapidly. “Fine. I need to go check on something.”
I bolted for the hallway and slipped into the break room, my chest heaving. Panic started to grab hold, the edges of my vision darkening as I battled it back. Memories slammed into me. Punches. Slaps. The burn.
I dug my fingernails into my palms, the pain fighting back the memories. “I’m safe,” I whispered over and over until I could get myself under control.
Slowly, the darkness in my vision subsided, and I could breathe normally. I cringed at how freakish I’d been. I needed to apologize.
I hurried out of the break room and toward table five. But it was empty.
The sandwich sat on the table, untouched. And next to it were two one-hundred-dollar bills.
I quickly scanned the sidewalk, but my mysterious stranger was simply…gone.