Page 59 of Maddox

After sliding the sunglasses onto my face, I took a deep breath.

Once outside, I almost became overwhelmed from the sights and sounds even for an early morning. There were a few people out, walking or biking, limited cars, but that would change quickly enough.

As sunlight filtered into the sky, I made my way across the road, scanning both sides of the sidewalk immediately. I’d been trained to do that long before Maddox had been forced to rescue me. If the dangerous situations I’d placed myself in had taught me one thing, it was I could never be too careful under even the best of circumstances.

I’d been accosted twice before heading to El Salvador, once outside a swanky hotel during a Christmas party. That was a decent reminder there were monsters in all walks of life.

Maybe that’s why as soon as I was safely on the other side, I sensed that someone was watching me. Slowing my pace, I moved close to the buildings, glancing over my shoulder. Even after another full scan of the surrounding area, I couldn’t see anyone that appeared as if they shouldn’t be out enjoying a beautiful morning.

There were no soldiers dressed in combat gear carrying assault rifles, no dark sedans or Jeeps as were so prevalent in the world of organized crime. Nothing at all caught my eye.

Maybe that was the problem. Everything was too normal. Foolish or not, I refused to allow fear to derail me. Logic would tell me that if we’d been followed or somehow our location had been discovered, the monsters would have attacked in the middle of the night.

I hurried along the sidewalk, reaching the bakery seconds later.

As soon as I walked inside, I did my best to shove aside the prickly sensations, inhaling the delicious scents as I studied both the menu and the bakery cases positioned in the front. The scent of freshly brewed coffee hit me first, a whiff of chocolate and raspberry second. My eagerness and sudden hunger brought a smile to my face.

There were three customers in front of me and I was happy to wait, content in making my selection. When I reached the counter, the older woman’s bright smile reminded me there was so much beauty in the world and with people. I’d simply spent way too much time chasing bad guys.

“What can I get for you?”

I was surprised when the woman behind the counter spoke to me in English. “That obvious I’m not from around here?”

She laughed. “I can tell by your boots.” She leaned over the counter, pointing her long pearlized nail to my feet. They were close to combat boots, but I’d been thankful I’d had them given the terrain we’d crossed.

I laughed. “The only shoes I had.”

“Stylish. Would you like some coffee?”

“Oh, God, yes. Liquid from the gods. I’ll take two to go.”

“Of course.”

“And a few pastries.” She laughed when she saw me sucking my finger. Now I was famished, so much so my stomach was in knots.

After pouring the coffee, she brought out a pastry box, waiting for my order. Another strange feeling washed over me.

I tilted my head over my shoulder, studying the street through the plate glass window. Was that a man in dark clothing across the street? What did it matter if I was correct? That meant nothing in a country that had experienced its share of brutal battles. Yet I had to be certain. “Just one second.” As I walked to the front of the store, another customer walked in and blocked my line of sight. In the split second it took for me to walk past, whoever I’d seen was gone.

I was being foolish. Right?

This time the girl behind the counter spoke in Spanish, the man addressing her. I wasn’t paying any attention, the rapid beating of my heart dulling every other sound.

A cold chill passed through me and I was instantly aware of how much danger I could be in. Backing away, I continued to scan the street, bumping into the customer who’d walked in just seconds before.

“Oops. I’m so sorry.” I touched the man’s arm, instantly bristling from the harsh look he gave me.

“You should be more careful,” he hissed. There was no hint of recognition, no indication he was anything but a disgruntled customer.

“Like I said. I’m sorry.”

A few beads of coffee slipped past the edge of his cup onto his fingers and his gaze didn’t leave my face even as he exchanged the cup from one hand to the other, wiping his fingers on his dark pants.

Dark clothing.

Just like the man I thought I’d seen across the street.

He said nothing else, only taking a deep breath and heading toward the door. If he was looking for me, there’d been no hint of recognition. The lump in my throat was difficult to swallow. I turned quickly, trying to tell myself that I was still anxious from everything I’d been through. Coming here had been a mistake. I didn’t feel safe, not when I wasn’t close to Maddox.

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