“Shit.” I glanced toward the ladies but they didn’t seem to notice anything.
Maybe it was just driving by, no big deal. Nothing to worry about. I tried to breathe as I waited for the rumble to pass the large windows of the storefront, gripping the rag in my hand.
Then a bike pulled up in front of the store, parking sideways to take up two spaces. Instant dread flooded me. I knew that bike too well. Occum cut the engine. The silence was deafening. I could go to the back and hide but obviously, he knew I was here. I didn’t want him talking to anybody else. He took his time getting off his ride and striding to the door. He took in the sign that hung above the door and shook his head. He brought so much chaos with him. The racing of my heart. Heavy boots and squeaking leather. The thick smell of cigarettes and grease. He was so out of place here.
His gaze moved around the store, snagging on Gretchen.
“Nothing for you to see here, friend,” she said.
He smirked before finding me behind the counter.
I plastered a smile on my face and quietly said to her, “He’s here for me. Let me get rid of him.”
She crossed her arms. “There’s a bat under the counter. You just say the word.”
“It’s best if I handle it.”
She nodded once and turned back to the girls who all spoke in low voices.
“Hey, Occum.” I wiped the sparkling clean counter to hide the tremor in my hands.
He flicked a rack of postcards and sent it spinning. “They got you working in a bookshop, Short Fuse? Don’t you have to know how to read?”
“What do you want, Occum?”
He came to the counter that separated us and leaned over, taking up way more than his fair share. “Is that how you talk to me now?”
“I’m at work.” I glanced to Lucas who had come out from the back when the bell on the door rang. I didn’t want to get him involved. I called to him. “I’m just gonna take five. I’ll be right back.”
Lucas was built like a heavy-weight fighter but spoke with the gentleness of a librarian.
“Five minutes.” Lucas looked torn about letting me go with Occum. He shot Gretchen a look who gave him a quick shake of the head.
“Sure thing, boss.” I slid my apron off over my head and laid it on the counter along with the “be right back” sign.
Occum scanned me up and down when I came out from behind the counter. “Why you dressed like that? Covering up the goods.” Occum smacked my ass so hard it stung.
I wore jeans and a long sweater. This had been my outfit of choice since the weather turned. I was so close to lashing out, but this was Occum and him being here was bad news. I had him follow me up front. I figured he was less likely to try something in the middle of the day in the center of town. I smiled at Gretchen as we passed but all the ladies had solemn looks on their faces.
“I don’t have a ton of time.” It was chilly outside and I wrapped my arms tight around myself.
“You have time enough.” He glared. “Don’t you forget who you’re talking to.”
In the light of day, Occum looked like shit. His long beard was tangled and his bloodshot eyes were sunken with heavy bags pulling down the lower lids. He reeked of smoke but the instant we were back outside he lit up a fresh cigarette. I tucked my hands into my sleeves and made a “so tell me” expression with arms out.
He stood with his legs spread wide and arms crossed. “Heard you were at the Dragon bar.”
“I had to get my daddy. Nothing happened.”
“You weren’t talking to the Wraiths?”
“I talked to Ka-Bar but only ‘cuz I had to pay him.” There was no point in lying as he already knew everything.
“You aren’t allowed to go there. And you sure as hell aren’t allowed to talk to them.”
I balled my fists tucked under my arms. “I know. The circumstances were outside my control.”
He laughed. “Oh shit. Look at you trying to talk all fancy now.” He stepped closer, spewing his putrid breath in my face. “Don’t fucking forget who saved you, who protects you. Don’t go stirring up shit because you’re bored.”
