CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
“Why are we going to Dormi’s today? Everyone knows that Kreeger’s pizza is the best.” I stuffed my hands into my warm winter coat and pressed my side against my husband for warmth. “And, besides, I thought Theron was going to talk with them a few days ago.”
Alaric wrapped his arm around me as we walked down the street. “He did. Management didn’t know anything about it. So…we’re here on the day the delivery girl works.”
“Oh, okay. But why do we need to be here?”
Dark brown eyes sparkled down me. “Because Theron wants someone else to question her.”
“Why?” I wondered aloud. “He’s more than capable of scaring a person into the truth.”
Alaric snickered. “Because he doesn’t want to scare her.”
I blinked in confusion and peered up at him.
“You’ll see why in a minute.” Alaric used his free hand to open the door for us, and we stepped inside the pizza joint. “We’re in the far booth.”
I took the lead and pulled him behind me, holding his hand. I slid into the booth where Theron sat all by himself. I smiled pleasantly. “Hello, Theron.”
He just grunted, his features taut.
“Theron, we made it.” Alaric sat next to me in the curved booth. He spoke respectfully, “How do you want this handled?”
Theron cleared his throat and tugged at his shirt collar, loosening his tie. “I want to know if someone paid her off or if she was threatened. I want to know what I’m dealing with here. If I need to kill someone. Or if she can give us a description of the individual who gave her money.”
Alaric sat back on the seat, his eyes evaluating his king. “I’ll handle it accordingly. Don’t worry. She won’t be frightened.”
Theron stared for an extended moment and then nodded in a jerky motion. “Thank you.”
My lips thinned.
This was the most uncomfortable I had ever seen the Ancient. It actually appeared as if he didn’t know how to handle the situation, calling in for back up as he was doing now.
His dark eyes examined me. “Don’t you dare scare her, either.”
“I won’t.” I smiled softly in the face of his worried fury. “I’ll be nice if I talk.”
“She’s coming,” Theron muttered. He lifted a menu from the middle of the table, studying it. Or pretending to. His voice came from behind it, quiet and irate. “Remember, if I need to kill someone, find out who the fuck it is.”
Alaric passed me a menu as a waitress stepped out from the backroom, glanced around, and headed our way. “I have done this before. I won’t forget that gem of a detail.”
I picked up my menu, hesitant to actually eat anything from here again. Then I remembered…immortal! Even if I die, I’ll come back. I could eat all the poisoned food I wanted.
Damn, the pepperoni and spinach looked good.
The waitress with the high ponytail held her translucent mini-pad down at her side, clearing her throat—nervously—as she glanced at Theron. Then her gaze darted to us, and asked, “What can I get for you guys today?”
Alaric stared directly into her eyes. “You’re not very chipper today. Is everything all right?”
“I’m fine.” She lifted the mini-pad higher, indicating to it. Her eyes shifted to where Theron was still hiding behind his menu, then back to my husband. She probed, “Are you ready to order?”
Alaric glanced at her, watching her like the predator he was, and spoke gently, “It’s okay. We aren’t upset. We know it wasn’t your fault.”
She sucked in a harsh breath and then sank down directly next to Theron. He froze solid as her side pressed against his, but she didn't even notice. She set the mini-pad down and then braced her elbows on the table, placing her head in her shaking hands.
Not looking at us, her eyes straight on the table, she whispered, “I am so sorry.”
Alaric placed his arm around my shoulder, asking softly, “What happened?”
“A guy came out of nowhere right before I delivered the pizza. He offered me money to sprinkle some weird shit on one of your pizzas.” She shook her head, still staring down at the table. “I needed the money, so I did it. I really am sorry. If you press charges, I’ll understand.”
I bent down and peered up into her lowered eyes. “I was poisoned that night. Do you understand how badly that could have ended?”
She sat back on the seat, her eyes tearing up. She whispered, “I do. And I can’t believe I did it.”
Alaric cocked his head. “What do you need the money for?”
“To leave my home next month when I’m eighteen. I can’t live with my parents anymore.”
“Why? Are they kicking you out?”
She shook her head, but her gaze returned to the table.
Not a peep exited her lips.
With concern as alarms blared in my mind, I asked, “Are they hurting you?”
The waitress cleared her throat, changing the topic. “Will you be pressing charges?”
I tapped my fingers on the table. “I won’t if you answer my question honestly.”
Her swallow was audible. She hesitated so long, I didn’t think she would answer. Until my silence wore her down. She whispered, “My father beats my mother and me. She won’t do anything about it. So I’m leaving as soon as I can.”
My jaw hardened. “Have you tried contacting the CA?”
“No. I just want to get away from him and leave my mother there to rot.” No longer shy, she focused on me, staring directly into my eyes. Hers flashed with a pain of a thousand beatings kept secret. “I want to be free of him.”
Alaric nodded slowly. “I’m sure you will be.”
Free, she would be. The Ancient would kill him.
Probably in the next hour, if his white knuckles on his menu were anything to go by, the king barely holding it together.
I sighed. “I won’t press charges. You have my word. But can you tell us anything about the man who bribed you?”
Her head shook. “He wore a mask.”
My shoulders sagged in defeat. “Nothing at all?”
“Nothing. He was tall and looked strong, but that’s about it. It was dark outside.”
“Thank you,” Alaric murmured. “We appreciate your honesty.”
“You’re welcome.” She stood up from the booth, and muttered, “I feel stupid asking this… but you guys don’t really want anything to eat, right?”
Theron finally lowered the menu, his gaze lifting to hers, ignoring her question. Quiet and calm. “I want a large cheese pizza to-go. Hold the poison, please.”
Her eyes held his, and then looked down at her mini-pad, taking his order. She muttered, “The special seasoning was a one-time event. The guilt was too much. It won’t happen again.”
“We understand.” His eyes turned toward us. He ordered quietly, “Eat something.”
I blinked and then studied the menu. The Ancient wanted us to show her that we trusted her again. I ordered, “I want a large pepperoni and spinach pizza. For here. And a glass of ice water.”
I could behave. And forgive.