In the morning, Sara felt somewhat guilty. She had left her son sleeping alone to go sleep with Saxton. And she knew she shouldn’t have done it. It could lead to feelings starting, and she couldn’t allow that to happen, either. She didn’t have time or space for a relationship, and she couldn’t take on the danger that came with Saxton. It would be one thing if it was just her, but she had Ian to think about.
For the next few days, she tried to spend as little time in Saxton’s presence as possible. She took in his food and left immediately. When they went to sleep, she stayed in the room with Ian. After Saxton’s first shower, he had gotten washed by himself, and he even seemed able to get dressed much more easily. She couldn’t deny that the time for him needing her was coming to an end. And her feelings about that were just as mixed as they had been before.
She wanted to move on, to leave him behind, to not take the chance of falling for him. But she liked having a man to care for. Liked even more having a man to sleep with. And though she put them off, there were feelings starting. It was time for her and Ian to go. If they left now, she could forget him with little emotional turmoil. The longer they stayed, the harder it would be to leave.
Sara walked into Saxton’s room with a plate of eggs and set it on his bedside table. She turned to leave without having made eye contact. She hadn’t said a word, either.
“Hey,” he said.
She stopped by the door, but didn’t turn back around. “Yeah?”
“What’s the deal?”
“What do you mean?”
“I let it go a few days. I thought maybe you regretted sleeping with me and needed time or whatever, but you straight out ignoring me and acting like I did something to you is bull.”
She let out a slow sigh and turned to face him. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean for it to be like that.”
“So, what’s the deal?”
She thought carefully of how to respond, deciding how honest to be. “I just don’t think it’s good for us to get too close. You’re almost healed enough that you won’t need me anymore.”
“I see. Well, I wouldn’t worry about it. I’m going to get out of the house today. So you won’t have to be stuck here, feeling like you need to take care of me.”
“No, you can’t do that yet.”
“Well, I’m going to.”
He might be in better shape than he was days ago, but to be out running around on his own? Who knows what he’d get into. He might end up being hurt worse or getting himself killed. “What are you going to do?”
“I have to get back to work.”
She shook her head. “Not yet. Saxton, what if someone else attacks you? How will you defend yourself against that?”
“Very carefully.”
“Why risk it then? Why not just wait until you’re 100%?”
He narrowed his eyes slightly at her. “You know, for all your talk of not wanting to get close to me, it almost seems like you don’t want me to get back out there.”
“I don’t.”
“Why is that?”
“I told you. I don’t think you’re ready. I’d be worried about you.”
His glare grew even more intense. He crossed his arms over his chest. “I’m starting to think that’s not the only reason.”
“What else would there be?”
“I don’t know. What do you know about the Cruel Crows?”
“The what? Is that an MC?”
He shrugged and waited for her to continue.
“I’ve never heard of them. I don’t know anything about motorcycles.”
“I didn’t say they were an MC.”
“Okay, well, I’ve still never heard of them.”
His glare was so strong that she stepped back. Her heart sped. What was he getting at? Was he trying to accuse her of something? He seemed angry with her, and it scared her. She had a sudden desire to run and never come back.
“I don’t know what you’re implying,” she said, her words coming out closer to a whisper through her fear, “but I’m here to help you get better and that’s it. I don’t know who the Wicked Falcons are. And—”
“Crows.”
“Huh?”
“It’s the Cruel Crows, not Falcons.”
She huffed. “Whatever. I don’t know who they are, or why you’re acting like I do.”
He paused a moment, watching her. “Swear you don’t know anything about Liam’s death?”
“Who the hell is Liam?”
Saxton’s jaw tightened and his words sounded strained. “He was my second in command. He was murdered, and apparently a gang called the Cruel Crows was involved. I need to get out there and find out who killed Liam and repay them.”
Sara felt her eyes widen and she stared at him in shock. Repay them? Was he serious? He would murder someone? Even if it was revenge, that seemed so… extreme. Every bit of her hesitation about him had been correct. She needed to stay away from him. He was beyond dangerous. He might become a murderer. He might already be one. She couldn’t have her son exposed to someone like him.
She gulped and took another step toward the door. “Well, if you’re going to do all that, then you really better make sure you’re 100%. You won’t be able to defend yourself how you are now.”
“I appreciate your concern,” he said flatly. “But I’m going back out there.”
She nodded. “Okay. Well… Kill safely, I guess.” She wondered if her face was pale. It certainly felt like all the blood had drained out of it.
“Sara.” His face softened and he pressed his lips together. “I’d never hurt you. Or Ian, if that’s what you’re worried about. I don’t just kill people. Bikers have a code. We don’t murder in cold blood. And someone did, against not only a member of my MC, but my second. That’s a serious offense that can’t go unchallenged. But that’s it. Once I find who did it and repay him, it’s done and I’ll move on. Understand?”
She nodded.
“But you’re still afraid of me?”
“I’ve always been,” she said softly. “I guess spending so much time with you here in your house made it feel safer. But I know you’re dangerous. I’ve always known it.”
“Does that turn you on?”
She chewed on her lip and considered. It did a little, but she wouldn’t admit to it. It scared her more. “That’s not the reason I slept with you.”
“What was then?”
“You’re hot. It’s been a while.” She could make it sound like she was heartless about it, couldn’t she?
“You’re just using me for my body then?” His mouth quirked into a half smile.
She relaxed some. “Basically.” She chuckled, glad to have some of the tension relieved.
“Okay then. Feel free to use me anytime you want.”
“Thanks.” She looked at him for a moment, then left the room, closing the door behind her.
As she finished getting Ian ready for the day, she couldn’t help replaying their conversation in her mind. How bizarre it had all been. All day, it tangled in her mind, sending waves of different emotions over her. Fear, surprise, even some desire and curiosity. What would he be up today, out searching for a murderer? What did a hunt like that look like?
She had been thinking about the anger in his eyes when he asked about the Cruel Crows, and feeling that same unease, and had gotten lost in her thoughts.
“Hello? Sara?”
Sara snapped her attention back to her work. This was her morning and early afternoon shift. Another hour before she’d leave to get Ian from school.
“What? Sorry.” She looked at the hostess, who rolled her eyes in response.
“I just seated table four.”
“Thanks.”
Sara walked over to table four and prepared her smile. She faced the man at the table and began her script. “Hi, my name is Sara and I’ll be serving you today. Would you like to hear our specials?”
As she spoke, her eyes settled on the man. She almost tripped over her words as she took in his appearance. There was nothing obviously strange about him. He was dressed in jeans and a t-shirt. Nothing special, but nothing unusual. He looked fairly clean, even if he wasn’t the most well groomed man she’d ever seen. He looked like just an average Joe in almost all ways. Yet, his body language made him one of the creepiest men Sara had ever encountered.
He sat with one elbow on the table, his other hand in his lap like he was hiding something. His feet were flat on the ground rather than tilted in a relaxed pose. His eyes were intense and stared hard at her as she spoke, like he was trying to light her on fire with his stare.
When she asked about the specials, he said in a low growl, “No.”
She stood there waiting for him to say something else. “Were you ready to order?” She swallowed hard and looked around. Were any of the other servers seeing this?
“Coffee.”
“Sure thing.” She tried to remain cheerful, but almost ran back to the safety of the kitchen.
She grabbed one of her fellow waitresses. “Megan, come here.” Sara dragged her over to the window in the swinging doors that separated the kitchen from the customers. “Look at the guy at table four.”
“Okay.” She looked with Sara, but from this angle, not much could be seen of his face.
“Go out there and look him in the eye. He’s totally creepy.”
“Ew, I hate that. What did he say?”
“Nothing. That’s part of it. He spoke in one word answers.”
“Did you tell Ed?”
The manager was always supposed to be alerted when their were customers causing an issue. And he was good at taking care of problems. “No. He hasn’t really done anything. Yet. I don’t think Ed will appreciate me complaining that he’s creepy.”
Megan shrugged. “Good luck. Maybe he’ll surprise you and leave a big tip.”
“He ordered coffee. That’s it.”
Megan made a sour face. “I hate that, too. Tell him there’s a coffee shop right down the street with much better coffee.”
“Yeah.”
Megan went back out to take drinks to her table. Sara poured the coffee and took a deep breath before heading back over to Mr. Creepy.
“Here’s your coffee,” she said, setting the mug on the table. “Are you ready to order?”
“Just coffee.” He didn’t make eye contact, but stared straight ahead.
“Okay. I’ll check back in a little while to see if you need a refill.”
“Tell me something.”
He looked at her now, with that same dark expression, like he was a cop about to ask for her confession. She shifted her weight to her other foot and glanced around again. Megan was at the next table, chatting away with her customer. Ed was nowhere in sight and everyone else seemed busy.
“You worked here long?” he asked.
“Umm…” Was he about to insult her? It happened on occasion. Some rude customer thought they should tell her how to do her job. “A few years?”
“Where else do you work?”
“Another restaurant.” How in the world did he know she had a second job? Or had he just guessed?
“What’s it called?”
She didn’t want to tell him. What if he showed up there next? She made up a name and a location. “Freddy’s? Over on Fifth.”
He nodded and she thought maybe she could divert the conversation a bit.
“What about you? What do you do for a living?” she asked.
“How many kids do you have?”
She chuckled nervously. This didn’t feel right. “Oh, you know, my husband and I haven’t really decided on a set number yet.” Maybe the old “I’m taken” trick would work on him.
“You’re not married.” He said it like it was absolute fact.
“Oh, I just don’t wear my ring at work. I’ve lost it too many times.” She tried to laugh it off again. “Okay, well, I’ll check back in a little while.”
She started to walk away, but he called after her.
“Hey.”
She had to turn back around. It was her job. “Yes?” She turned her head, but didn’t move closer to him.
“What time does your shift end?”
“Long one today,” she lied. “Won’t be done until after dinner.”
She forced a smile and walked back to the kitchen. She went straight to Ed’s office and knocked.
“Ed?”
He motioned her in and she sat down.
“What’s up?” he asked, looking away from his computer’s screen.
“There is a super creepy customer out there, asking all sorts of really personal questions.”
“Like?”
“Like when I’m off work, where else I work, how many kids I have.”
“He probably just likes you. You might be able to work a bigger tip out of him.”
She shook her head. “It’s not like that. He scares me. Like he’s going to follow me home or something.”
“Well, have one of the guys walk you out when you leave. I’ll go ask him how everything’s going. Which table?”
“Four.”
He nodded. “I wouldn’t worry about it.”
Right. Easy for him to say. Maybe Saxton had the right idea carrying a gun and knife all the time. She could start carrying one or the other. It would make her feel a lot safer in situations like this.
Sara watched from the kitchen as Ed went out to check on Mr. Creepy. When he came back to the kitchen, he shrugged.
“Didn’t say much,” he said.
“I know. Did you think he’s creepy?”
“A little. Not much I can do though. I can’t ask him to leave for being creepy. If he sits too long and doesn’t order, though, let me know. I’ll try to move him along.”
“Thanks.” Sara went to the bathroom and considered calling Saxton again. She could use the excuse that she wanted to check on him. Make sure he was okay being out of the house on his own. And she could casually mention that she had a creepy customer.
What would he do if she told him? Would he come and check it out? Stay while she worked and make sure she was okay? Or would he just think nothing of it and go back to finding his friend’s murderer? She wanted him to come rescue her. But at that thought, she immediately decided she wouldn’t call him. If she started relying on him like that, it wouldn’t end. She didn’t want to think Saxton would be there to protect her. Or would save her somehow. That would only lead to feelings, which would only lead to problems.
She looked herself over in the mirror and went back out to check on all her tables. When she walked out through the kitchen, she froze. Table four was empty. Maybe he’d just gone to use the bathroom.
She made her rounds, checking customers’ drink levels and bringing extra condiments as they were needed. As she was finishing up, she passed table four and noticed a $5 bill tucked under his half drunk coffee. He’d left then. And had given her a $2 tip on a $3 bill. Well, at least it was over. She didn’t have to deal with him anymore.
Sara went about the rest of her shift, watching for him. He didn’t return. When her shift ended, she went to the kitchen to find a guy to walk her out. Ed was in his office with someone. The only male server on at the moment was busy with a table. There was a male cook and dishwasher, though.
“Hey Harris,” Sara called across the metal counter. “Can you walk me out to my car real quick?”
“Uhh…” He looked over at the stack of waiting tickets. “A little behind at the moment. Can Dave?”
“I’ll check.” Sara walked around the corner, where Dave was rinsing dishes off with the high-powered sprayer and putting them in the rack. “Can you walk me out to my car?”
“Sure. Let me just finish loading this rack. We got slammed today.”
“Okay.” Sara stood and watched him work for several minutes. It was starting to get late and she had to be there to get Ian. She couldn’t wait any longer and would have to risk it. “Hey, Dave,” she called over the sound of the sprayer and the loud kitchen noises. “It’s okay. I have to get going. Thanks anyway.”
“You sure? It’ll just be another few minutes.”
“Yeah, I’m fine. Thanks.”
She walked to the backdoor. The creepy guy had left anyway. It was nothing. She was over reacting. But she stopped before walking out into the back parking lot. She glanced around. The lot was empty of people, though several cars were lined up along the back edge of the lot. And there were several large trucks and vans parked amongst the cars. Including one right next to hers.
Sara had learned long ago that you should never walk to your car alone when there was a van sitting next to your driver’s side door. It was too risky, especially in a city like Chicago. But there was still some daylight. This time of year, the late afternoon wasn’t the brightest, but it wasn’t dark, either. She didn’t see anyone in the van.
Maybe she could just run. Or get in through the passenger side. Hadn’t she read about that somewhere? So what if it seemed paranoid if it kept her safe. She took a breath, held her keys tight and ready in her hand, and walked quickly.
She thought she heard footsteps behind her and spun around. Nothing but the pounding of her heart. Okay, Sara, calm down. There was the eerie feeling of someone following her. Was it in her head? She was halfway to her car when she heard a definite shuffle of steps behind her.
She turned and was just inches from Mr. Creepy. She sucked in a breath to scream and he clamped a hand down hard over her mouth.
“Shut up, or I’ll slit your throat.”
Sara wouldn’t go down without a fight. She’d seen this guy close up in the restaurant. She could pick out his face and had witnesses. He would not get away with whatever he was after.
He didn’t try to take her purse. So it must be worse, then. He didn’t want to rob her. She tried to pull free from his grip. He walked toward a black car, half dragging her along as she kept fighting to get away from him.
She kicked at his legs and tried to bite his hand. With his free hand, he slapped her hard across the cheek. Her eyes filled with tears at the stinging pain, and the shock made her freeze for a moment.
“Get in the car. Stop fighting.”
She tried again to rip out of his grip. She let herself fall, hoping to slip down and out, but he held her too tight. She twisted and kicked again. She stomped down on his foot. He grunted, but kept moving.
They were just a few feet from the black car now. If he got her in there, who knew what would happen? He could take her anywhere and do anything.
She moved her elbow as far away from his ribs as possible, then hurled it back and into him with all her strength. He stopped to take in a breath, then he fell backward.
His grip on her loosened and he crashed to the ground. Sara spun around, shocked that her elbow attack had dropped him like that.
When she turned, she saw Saxton. He was kicking the guy, who was now lying on the ground, curled on his side, trying to defend himself. Saxton’s gun was pointed at his head.
He spared her a second’s glance. “You okay?”
She nodded.
“Get in my car.” He motioned with his head toward where his car sat, waiting.
She ran over and hopped into the passenger side. As she sat there, she saw Saxton kick him several times and stomp down hard on his hand. By the time Saxton walked away, the man just laid there, unmoving.