Page 40 of The Bane of a Sinner
“Where are you headed?” he asked.
I shrugged. “Haven’t decided yet.”
Caroline laughed. “Well, honey, you better decide soon. That baby is going to be here before you know it. I should know. I have two myself.”
In the next instant, I heard pipes and turned toward the window just as a wrecker and a man on a motorcycle rode past, then another biker pulled in next to the sheriff. I sat there and watched as a very large older man stepped off his bike and sauntered into the diner. Upon seeing Caroline, he walked over and frowned.
“What happened to the car?”
“Nothing happened,” the woman snipped. “As you can see, it’s parked out front.”
“Then why do you need the damn wrecker?”
The woman smiled as she waved her hand toward me. “James, I’d like you to meet Eve Lyons. She needs a tow.”
The second the man took off his sunglasses and looked at me, I froze, and so did he. Caroline must have noticed the tension and reached across the table to pat my hand. “Don’t be afraid ofhim, Eve. He’s harmless. A big teddy bear. James, you’re scaring the girl. Smile for fuck’s sake.”
“Kids are out of school. Go try to be a decent mother,” the man said harshly, never taking his eyes off me.
The woman huffed, grabbing her purse as she stood. Leaning close to the biker, she whispered, “Fuck you, James.”
The man smirked at that as he turned to look at the woman. “Not even on my deathbed, bitch. Now go.”
Saying nothing more, she quickly left along with the sheriff, who said, “I’ll go make sure she gets home safely.”
“Yeah, you do that and keep your dick out of her while you’re at it.”
The sheriff snarled but didn’t reply. The second they were gone, James Doherty pulled out a chair and sat. Leaning forward, he looked me directly in the eyes and said, “Your dad has most of the underworld looking for you, girl. Give me one good fucking reason why I shouldn’t call him right now.”
“George Stone.”
“Jesus fuck,” he cursed, hanging his head. “So the rumors are true then?”
“I don’t know what’s true or not. I haven’t been in contact with anyone.”
“The father is a Soulless Sinner?”
I said nothing, refusing to speak.
James sighed, leaned back in his chair, and took a good long look at me. “Got a problem here, girl. I call your dad, and it’s war. I don’t and he finds out I knew, it’s war.”
I took a deep breath, steeling myself. “I’m not asking you to protect me, Mr. Doherty. I know the consequences of my actions, and I’m prepared to face them alone. But please don’t call my father. He wouldn’t understand. I just need time to get my car fixed, and then I will leave. I promise.” I paused, searching his face for any sign of empathy.
James was silent for a long moment, his gaze unwavering. Finally, he reached into his cut for his cell phone and made a call. “Shane. Did you find the car? Good, get it over to the garage. Top priority. Don’t leave until it’s done. Angela home? Good, you’ve got a guest for the night. No one is to know. Understood? Good. See you back at the clubhouse then.”
Disconnecting the call, he looked at me, his expression softening slightly. “You will stay with my brother’s old lady tonight. Her name is Angela. She is quiet and knows how to keep her mouth shut. When your car is fixed, you need to move on. I can’t guarantee your safety here, not with my dad still president, and I won’t start a war over you. Got love for your dad, but right now there is shit going on here that needs my attention more.”
Relief washed over me, and I wanted to cry. “I understand and thank you,” I whispered. “I promise you won’t regret this.”
“Something tells me I will, no matter what,” he grumbled as he got to his feet, escorting me out of the diner.
A short time later, James pulled up in front of a cute white two-story house on the other side of town as a pretty woman stepped onto the porch and two kids ran down the steps. “Uncle James!” the little girl with flaming red hair squealed loudly as James scooped her up into his arms.
“Hey, Kitty-cat. You being a good girl for your momma?”
“No,” the mulish boy standing not far from James groaned. “She’s a brat.”
“So, all is normal in the Keller house, then.” James laughed as he walked over to greet the quiet woman. She was beautiful, of course, but her eyes held a certain sadness. They seemed to long for something or someone, as if they were searching for a missing piece. In them, I could see the depth of emotion that she tried to hide but couldn’t quite conceal. There was a gentle melancholy in her gaze, a longing that tugged at my heartstrings. It was as if she carried a hidden weight, a secret sorrow thatshe couldn’t shake off. Despite her beauty, it was her eyes that captured my attention, drawing me in with their sadness and vulnerability.
