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“You came to my door being a jerk,” I pointed out. Clearly I had no real grasp on self-preservation.
He didn’t say anything to that, stepping back and crossing his arms. His frame took up most of the doorway, but I didn’t let it get to me. He was far too cocky for my liking, pushing my buttons without trying. Once the sass started, it didn’t go away quite so easily.
“Who will protect you against him if he comes back?” It was such a typical alpha question, underestimating female wolves. Though in this case he wasn’t far off, I was no match for a trained spy and assassin.
“Me,” I said evenly. “Like I always have.” With that I stepped back and shut the door. It wasn’t smart, but at that moment it was all I had. Standing there arguing would only land in me in more hot water. If I had any luck, I’d be out of here in a week. I could lay low until then.
Except he’ll follow you. No matter how far you run.
That reminder had me almost opening the door, but pride kept me firmly in place. When the sounds of an engine turning over and tires crunching gravel as they drove off, I finally decided to leave my room. I needed supplies in my room if I was going to lay low, and honestly, I could use some food in my stomach.
After throwing my hair in a messy bun, washing my smeared makeup off, and pulling on boots, I headed across the street. Starting with Dave sounded like the best choice. Music was already blaring through the building when I approached so I walked inside, heading for the garage when he wasn’t in the tiny lobby. He was singing along to eighties rock, oblivious to my interruption.
“Dave!” I called out but it was drowned by the music. Glancing around I spotted the giant stereo system and went over, turning it down. His smoky voice kept going for a moment before he realized it was background noise now.
“What the hell?” he muttered before spotting me. He jumped, dropping the wrench in his hand. “Dammit, Vanya, you scared the shit out of me.”
My laughter echoed in the space and he grinned back at me. “In my defense, I called out.”
“I like it loud,” he agreed sheepishly. “Sorry about that. What can I do for you?”
“Just checking in, wishing that a miracle occurred and it’s magically an easy fix?” I hedged. He laughed at that before his smile dropped.
“You’re serious?” His frown deepened at my groan. “Yeah, that’s not happening. Sorry.”
“No worries. After the whole murder situation, I’m not exactly excited to be stuck in Dixon,” I explained. His eyebrows rose at that.
“Murder? In Dixon? You are delusional today,” he joked, but I didn’t laugh this time either.
“How did you not hear?”
“I’m a solid sleeper and haven’t left the garage?” he countered with a one shouldered shrug. “What happened?”
“The bouncer at the bar, Blake? Apparently someone killed him outside of my hotel room door. Woke up to police and a full-on crime scene,” I explained.
“Shit, he was a good guy. Who would do that?” he asked, horrified. “Dixon is a small town; we don’t murder each other.”
“There was a creep at the bar last night, could have been him. They didn’t give me much though,” I said.
“You be careful out there,” he said, looking worried now.
“Don’t worry about me, Dave. I’m fine. Like you said, stuff like this doesn’t happen here, I’m sure it was a one-time thing,” I promised. “I’ll catch up with you later.” I gave a quick wave and retreated, not wanting this conversation to turn into another man trying to protect me. The last thing I wanted was Dave to get hurt on my behalf.
My gaze flitted over the street, taking in every face and car passing by, making sure that the murderer wasn’t going to step out and approach me in broad daylight.
Needing to get off the street and stop the creepy feeling of being watched, I ducked back into the diner. This time I took a booth in the back and lifted the menu, hiding behind it.
“Can I start you with a coffee? Soda?” a waitress asked as she approached. She was young, her high ponytail and school tee giving her away.
“Coffee please,” I said with a quick smile. She jotted it down on a ticket before walking away. Not wanting to send her away, when she came back with my coffee, without ordering, I quickly scanned the menu and picked something.
“Here you go. You know what you want?” she asked as she placed the steaming mug in front of me.
“Steak and eggs please, scrambled and a side of hash browns,” I said before sliding the menu back in the holder on the back of the table. She nodded as she wrote it down before walking away and slapping it down on the serving window. Before I could busy myself with my phone, someone slid into the booth with me.
“Did you like my gift, princess?” The same man from last night was sitting across from me. This time he was cleaner, wearing fresh clothes.
“Why are you doing this?” I hissed back, fists clenching tightly enough my nails dug into my palm as I fought to not reach over and kill him for what he did to an innocent man. “I’m nothing to you.”
