Page 50 of Survive the Night
“It’s not your fault,” Otto said sharply, although his hands on her arms still glided up and down in gentle contrast to his abrupt tone. “It’s not Grace’s fault. It’s your asshole brother’s fault. It’s this piece of garbage’s fault.” He flung a hand toward Jeb, who flinched back. “It’s the fault of every single Jovanovic who works in the family business, doing evil things.”
“But if I’d left—”
“You shouldn’t have to leave.” He cut her off. “We’ll deal with this, with these people. Together. All of us. You have backup here. If you were running from strange town to strange town, you’d be alone.”
The thought of that terrified Sarah, but she didn’t want to be selfish. She didn’t have the right to bring harm and possible death to these good people.
Otto’s voice lowered until it was too quiet for anyone but her to hear. “Don’t go, Sarah. Xena needs you here. I need you here. Don’t let them chase you away. They’re hoping you’ll run so that you’ll be easier to catch. See what just happened? Your brother sent two people after you. One ran off after Grace punched him, and the other is cowering on the floor in cuffs. If you stay here, we’ll help you win. Your brother is not stronger than you, not when you have us here to help.”
Sarah hesitated, still not completely convinced, but what Otto had just said… She wanted so badly for it to be reality. One by one, they could defeat her brother’s allies. She could have allies of her own—friends—and her new job and live in this tiny town she was growing to love. The thought of it made a bubble of optimism start to grow inside her. “Okay.”
Tipping his head down even closer to her ear, Otto repeated, “Okay?”
Her breath caught as the warmth of that question brushed her skin. “Yes. Okay.”
Ever so gently, he gathered her against him in a hug.
She pulled away with a start when the outside door swung open, and Theo shoved a cuffed Logan inside. “Didn’t even need Viggy. This moron was running down the middle of Main Street. If this is the brains of the Jovanovic crime family now, they’re in serious trouble.”
Logan glared at him but didn’t say a word. Despite the handcuffs, Sarah’s heart started pounding at the sight of him. As if he could sense her anxiety, Otto pulled her close again.
“What’s that sound?” Megan asked, but Sarah didn’t really pay attention. She was too busy wallowing in warmth and security, in the scent and feel that was all Otto.
When she pulled away and stepped back, she realized that everyone was watching. Blushing, she ducked, pressing her forehead against Otto’s solid upper arm.
“So?” Grace asked from where she still stood tucked against Hugh. “Are you staying with us, or are you going to let the bastards run you off?”
“I’m staying.”
“Good.” Grace gave her a fierce smile. “I’ll punch a Jovanovic for you anytime. It’s oddly satisfying.”
“I’d like to try it sometime,” Jules said. “I’ve heard it’s nice.”
Sarah’s laugh was a little choked, but that hopeful bubble inside her grew even larger.
“What the hell?” Megan’s roar came from the dining area. “Who brought dogs into my diner?”
Chapter 14
Stocking shelves was oddly soothing, Sarah found. She was glad, because her life at the moment needed some soothing. Taking the last spool of rope out of the box, she added it to the display and then sat back on her haunches.
“How’s it going?” asked Grady—who, it ended up, both owned the store and wore overalls every day.
“Good.” She stood, picking up the box and taking a final glance at the neat rows of various sizes and types of rope. “It’s very satisfying.”
At Grady’s silence, she glanced over to see him looking at her oddly.
“What?”
“You’re a strange one.”
“Yes.” It wasn’t the first time she’d been told that.
“Need you to watch the register for a while.”
“Okay.” She headed for the front. Ringing people up wasn’t as calming as stocking the shelves, but it was interesting. Just in the few days that she’d worked at Grady’s, Sarah felt like she’d met everyone left in town. Grady had a habit of disappearing for an hour or so in the afternoons. Grace’s theory was that he was watching Tattered Hearts. Sarah loved the idea that the crusty old guy was addicted to a soap opera.
