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Chapter One
Caitlyn
I contemplated what saying no to my boss would do after I took the unusual order. Joe’s Pizzeria was my second part-time job, and though I could probably find another one relatively easy, it would set me back a week or so in pay. I wasn’t in a position to afford such a set-back. Devil’s Park, as it was referred to by the locals, earned its name because nothing good happened in the surrounding area. I knew better than to do something stupid like deliver a pizza there after dark, but if I refused, this asshat would fire me.
“It’s probably a prank, Joe. No one actually places orders out there.” I tapped my fingers on the counter. “We’re closing soon.”
“We can’t risk it, Josie. A customer is a customer and if we don’t get them hot delivery, then we’ll get blasted on that foodie thing.”
“Caitlyn,” I corrected with a huff. “Josie quit three weeks ago. And no one even pays attention to the online reviews that you’re referring to.”
Nobody around here anyway.
If the pizzeria received any review at all, it would be the first. We were a tiny hole in the wall restaurant, but our food was the best for miles around.
“Go deliver the pizza, sweetheart, or you can march your perky little behind out the door and not come back.” Joe narrowed his eyes into a glare. “Understand me?”
Yeah, I understand you, asshat. Now ask me if I care.
Unfortunately, I do. I need this job, even if it sucks big monkey balls.
Still, I didn’t want to deliver a pizza to Devil’s Park at this time of night. There was desperate, and then there was desperate. I might have been the latter. All I could really do was try to talk some sense into Joe.
“What if I don’t come back, Joe? What if someone makes off with me?”
“Well, from what you’ve told me, cupcakes,” he sneered, “no one would really miss you.”
Without another word, Joe patted me on the shoulder and walked into the main dining room.
What an asshole!
Shaking my head at his retreating back, I shot a frustrated look at my co-worker Amanda. She shook her head so hard that some of her dark auburn hair fell out of the tight bun at the nape of her neck.
“Don’t go out to Devil’s Park. You’re right to think it’s a trap. Or a setup. You can go work anywhere. Joe needs you more than you need him.”
If only that were true.
Amanda folded her arms over her chest and pleaded with me. “Please, Cate. It’s not worth it.”
“I’m a big girl, and I can handle myself.” Even as I said it, a feeling of foreboding rushed down my spine.
I hugged her, longer than I ever had before. She squeezed back as if it were the last time we’d see one another. Amanda was my only friend. Pulling away, I swallowed past the lump in my throat and hung up my apron. “It’s no big deal. I’ll text you.”
“All right.” She worried her lip. “I live at the big complex on fourth and main. It’s about fifteen minutes from the edge of Devil’s Park. I’m at 1725, if you need help, okay?”
“Got it. Thanks.” We both knew she crashed on couches, and whomever she was staying with wouldn’t really want me to show up, but it was sweet that she offered. “I’ll be fine.”
There wasn’t enough time to deliver the pie and then return to the restaurant since we closed in twenty minutes. No way of checking back in to the relative safety of the pizza parlor. It was just dropping food off in the worst part of the city.
I took a deep calming breath and tried to shake off my unease. No one would bother a pizza delivery chick who obviously had no money.
I balanced my register drawer and handed over a portion of my tips to Stan, the cook who was on. He agreed to make two pies late in the night, and the customer demanded multiple toppings.
“Fuck whatever Joe says. Be careful, Cate.” He winked. “You would be missed around here. Our customers love you, and you always have my back.”
The foreboding rushed back at Stan’s warning, and I swallowed hard, shouldered my purse and picked up the pizza warmer. “Thanks, Stan. I’ll see you around.” I exited through the back door and got into my car, still feeling nervous.
There was a buzz of something in the air tonight, but I pushed away the fear. It was one stupid delivery and I was a big girl.
