Page 5 of Dangerous Refuge

I take out my order pad and a pen, and then bolster my confidence by checking out my appearance in the mirror hung on the manager’s office door. I’m a hot mess like normal, but I pull off the style and make it work. My devilish red waves refuse to obey, so rather than being held tightly in a bun, they hang in wispy strands that frame my pale features. At least my makeup is fresh.

Ducking into the dining room, I weave through the tables with my gaze locked on the man. His back is to me, so he doesn’t see me coming, which is better. It’s less anxiety I have to feel. He is looking over a menu when I walk up, but his head lifts and a calm expression greets me.

“Well, hello there.” His eyebrows rise as recognition flits across his face. “I was hoping I’d see you.”

“Uh, yeah…” I stutter, already feeling like this may have been a mistake. “You were?”

“Yes, I was.” He gestures to the chair across from him. “Sit down. I’d like to talk to you.” His tone is formal, stern even, as if he’s used to getting what he wants. But it’s not possible for me to sit. I have other tables to wait on and my manager won’t like it.

“I can’t. I’m sorry.” My hand shakes as I poise my pen and pad to take his order. “What are you drinking? And are you ready to order?”

“Allie, sit please.” He nods at the empty chair and my throat constricts.

He knows my name? How could he know my name? I’m not wearing a nametag or— It hits me that he probably overheard Paul saying my name, so I relax a little and remind myself he’s not a stalker. He was helpful and chased my violent ex away to save me.

“I can’t really. My boss will be upset. I have other tables to wait on and the customers won’t be happy if I am just sitting here when they need things.” I shake my head as I’m talking but the look on his face sours, brows dipping together in the center. He’s not pleased with my refusal to dine with him, but what am I supposed to do? I can’t lose this job. I need the last few days of pay before I can move.

“I know Jim. It will be fine.” He nods again and I glance around the room. Jim, the owner, isn’t here right now, only Kyle the manager. I am nervous, but I sit, hoping this takes only a few minutes and Kyle doesn’t see me here. Still, I take a peek at each of my tables where customers are eating or waiting on food. It doesn’t feel right to slack off on this job even though I know I’ll just be quitting in a few days anyway.

“Good girl,” he says, as if he’s training a dog. Part of me doesn’t like being talked down to, but another part of me ignores that feeling because probably the hottest, wealthiest man I’ve ever met wants an audience with me.

“So I get the feeling you’re not here to eat.” I tuck my pad into my apron pocket and fold my hands in my lap. My palms are sweaty. I don’t know if it’s because I’m scared of what my boss may think or if it’s because this man really turns me on, or maybe a mixture of the two.

“Well, your assumption is correct. I came to talk to you.” He leans on the table with his forearms and folds his hands together over his plate. When he looks at me, it does things to me, stirring my tense body. I think some women call that smolder; I just call it trouble. I can’t do this. I can’t get involved with someone. I’m here to thank him and serve him dinner, nothing more.

“Actually, I wanted to talk to you too.” I swallow again, my throat very dry. I haven’t even brought him a glass of water, so there is nothing on this table to wet my mouth with. “Uh, thank you for the other day. I mean the woman. She was so rude and that was just an awful situation.”

“You’re welcome.”

“And thank you for what happened in the alley with Paul.” I shrug one shoulder and look up at him through my thick eyelashes. “He’s a real jerk. I appreciate you standing up for me.” I suddenly don’t know why I am sitting here thanking him. He did a kind thing and left. That was that. He could vanish into thin air right now and I’d still move on with my life. Dana has loaned me money before to get Rico dinner or pay my light bill. I thank her for things like that because we see each other five days a week. This just feels weird now. I should have said nothing.

“You’re welcome, Allie. That’s what I wanted to talk to you about. Are you okay? I mean does this guy mess with you a lot?” His voice lowers a notch in volume, compassion seeping into his tone. I look up at him and sigh. His eyes compel me to tell him what’s happening. I have no reason to share; there is no gun to my head forcing me, but for the first time in a long time, I feel like someone actually cares.

It's not like this man can do anything to protect me or make things better, but sometimes I just need to vent. I haven’t told any of my coworkers or bosses what my personal life is like, and it would be nice to just have a friend to chat with. My shoulder bobs again.

“I’m okay, honestly. I just can’t stay here much longer. See, Paul was this major charmer for a long time. I got pregnant; we lived together. He was a bit physical with me, mostly during sex in the beginning, but after I had Rico he started smacking me. That turned into worse things, and when he beat the shit out of me right in front of Rico one time, I knew I couldn’t stay.” I look up as the door to the kitchen opens and my heart leaps into my throat, but it’s not Kyle; it’s Dana.

“I see. That sounds like a very tough situation.” He unfolds his hands and leans back in the chair, resting a hand on his knee as he crosses his legs. “I’m Sven, by the way.”

“Allie, but my friends call me Al.” I feel strangely better getting that off my chest, even though I’m still on edge about my boss seeing me slacking off during work. “So now you know why he’s harassing me and why I have to move so often—nine times in the past five years.”

“Is that what you were telling him a few days ago?”

I look up at him, surprised that he saw me speaking to Paul again. “Thursday? Yeah, before work he confronted me again. Thank God Rico was gone already.” I squint at him and shake my head. “Were you following me?”

He remains placid, unreadable. “Not at all. I just happened to be passing by when I saw him. Actually I saw you first and thought I’d approach you since I had a few minutes to spare. I find you very attractive. I wanted to speak with you, but he walked up to you first. I just walked away when I realized he wasn’t going to harm you.”

“So you heard me tell him to fuck off.” I feel vulnerable with Sven, like he’s disarmed me entirely but not in a way that is scary. Safe is the word I’d use to describe how I feel now. The idea that a man like this would find me attractive is laughable in my opinion but the words came from his lips freely.

“I did.”

“And you understand why I have to quit this job and find a new one along with a new apartment yet again. That will make ten times in five years.” My eyes flick toward the kitchen door again; still no sign of Kyle, but I’m not any more relaxed now than I was ten minutes ago when I sat down.

“What if there was a different way?” He leans forward again, his eyes hazing over with darkness in them, like a shadow passing over his head.

I’m not sure I understand what he’s saying. A different way? I open my mouth to ask him what he means and hear Kyle’s shrill tone call my name.

“Allie!”

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