Page 10 of Deadly Little Games

Iget halfway down and find myself right next to his table, within arm’s reach.

“Didn’t you get the message? We’re closing in five minutes,” I snap, completely ignoring the fact that he could get me fired with just a snap of his fingers. It’s been a long-ass day, and I don’t want to be dealing with this. All I want is for this shift to be done so I can find Alec.

His dimple becomes visible as the corner of his mouth lifts, and his eyes lock onto mine as if he can decipher every thought in my mind. Curiosity shines in his light-brown eyes, along with a mysterious glimmer I can’t decipher.

“Looks like you’ll be staying open for a little while longer for me.” He pauses, eyes fixated on my shoulder, no doubt where he can see the rose tattoo. The one Kai did for me. “Something tells me you need the money, so I wouldn’t go complaining, thorn.”

“Thorn?” I ask, frowning.

“Yeah. Rose doesn’t seem very fitting for you. You’re more of a thorn, with all the prickly edges.” He grins.

Pinching my lips together, I hold back the “fuck off” I want to scream in his face.

“Did you want something to eat or drink, or are you just here to piss me off?” I ask, leaning the mop against the end of the booth.

“Nah, nothing for me. I’m meeting a business associate who’s late as per usual,” he says, checking his phone.

“Business on this side of the tracks?” I raise an eyebrow, then laugh. “Wow, must be desperate.”

Lucas opens his mouth just as the front door chimes and my stomach drops.

Gavin enters, shoving a small, transparent bag into the pocket of his torn jeans. I grab the mop and bucket, ignoring Lucas, and continue cleaning with my back turned toGavin. I’m really hoping he doesn’t notice me. I don’t want to handle him tonight, or ever again, for that matter. The encounter from last night was enough to last the entire week.

A hand lands on my lower back, and my knees lock. Gavin bends over, his lips close to my ear as he whispers, “Little Freya, aren’t I happy to see you here.” His bad breath lingers all around me, and I fight back the urge to knee him in the balls. If we were any place else I would, but I need this job.

I take a step forward and swiftly turn around, lowering my voice to ensure my boss doesn’t hear me from the kitchen.

“Piss off, Gavin, we’re closed,” I say between gritted teeth.

“It won’t be long until your mother is coming back to me again. And you know what that means... I’ll need to collect.” He looks salaciously at my chest, and my fists clench onto the mop so hard that it might snap. I’d rather shove this right up his ass, but he isn’t worth losing my job over.

“Gavin,” Lucas snaps, and the sleaze scurries away, meeting him at his booth.

“Two coffees, thorn.”

“Please,” I mutter, but I go fill their order and dump the pot and two mugs on the table.

“No milk? No sugar?” Lucas seems far too amused.

“No. Figured you’d want it black, like your heart,” I reply, then head back to the kitchen to rinse the mop head.

The diner is empty after I finish, and while I’m happy Gavin is gone, I can’t help but wish Lucas was still there. I have no idea why, and I don’t want to give it much thought. He’s one of them. End of story.

Oscar, my boss, shuts the cash register, leans across the counter, and hands me an envelope containing my wages for the week.

“Lucas left a nice tip for you. I put it in there. See you next week,” he says, switching off the lights.

I quickly open the envelope and find an extra fifty-dollar bill. What the fuck? I don’t need his charity. I work for my money; this is too much of a tip for just serving two coffees. Rich dick.

“Oh, did you get ahold of your brother?” he asks, and I shake my head.

“I’ll make sure he gives you a call when I run into him,” I say, and he agrees. I slide the envelope into my back pocket, remove my apron, and make my way out the front door.

Stepping out into the cool night, a light breeze brushes against my face, so I pull my hoodie over my head and tuck my hands into the front pocket. I lean back against the wall, taking in the stillness of the mostly quiet parking lot. There is no mistaking the owner of the magnificent black Bugatti La Voiture Noire that’s right in front of me. Within a matter of moments, I recognize the person leaning against the car. With a smooth motion, Lucas brings the sleek, black e-cigarette to his lips and inhales a long drag. The light above me flickers, creating creepy shadows all around.

Ignoring him, I bring my phone back to my ear, desperately trying to reach Alec again, only to be met with silence.

“I don’t know where you are, Alec, but you were supposed to drive me home. If I get rolled by a bastard in a Bugatti, it’s on you.”

---