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I shake my head. “Yeah, I do. I have used whatever I had saved these past six months and I can’t wait any longer. Have you found out how much the light bill is here for the winter months?”
“Yes, I will leave it on your nightstand. I don’t think Kalum will be happy about you paying him for all the utilities. I’m surprised he hasn’t noticed.”
“I haven’t paid rent since we have been staying here. I think the utilities and the fact that I haven’t touched the card he left to buy groceries will do for now. It is the least I could do. I found a job at a local diner not far from here. In a way, having my name back to Aura Rayne wasn’t such a bad idea. They won’t know who I am and all I have said is that my son and I are staying with friends for a while until I can move.”
“You're not serious, are you?” she asks.
“About?”
“Moving.”
“I have to, Camila. I can’t stay here forever. I can’t go back to my house either. The less I stay out of the limelight, the better. Out of sight. Out of mind.”
After I made pancakes and made sure Lane was fed, I headed out in an Uber to the diner. I know I could have used the Merc parked in the garage, but I refuse to drive it. It is enough that I’m staying in another St. Claire home. The last thing I need is for anyone to say I’m taking advantage.
After months of thinking, crying, and feeling sorry for myself. I have learned one thing, I need to move forward. It means getting a job and making a living to support Lane and myself. My son’s future is secure, and all I need is to save enough money to move to a house I can afford. Lane is homeschooled with the help of Camila until we can find a more permanent place to live.
Mr. Schwartz will handle the sale of our home in North Carolina and place the funds in a trust for Lane. Lane’s family will not find me there and it is for the best. Dex and Blaze have all the cars secured and all our belongings are placed in storage until I can find a home.
I enter the diner and the bell chimes as I enter. “How can I help you?” a woman that looks to be in her early sixties asks.
“My name is Aura Rayne. I’m the one you called about the waitress position for a new hire.”
She motions outside to the two men in black suits. “Are they with you?”
I look outside. Shit. I forgot about the security Kalum has placed on me. I don’t know why but I think it is more to track my whereabouts than anything else.
I raise my finger. “O-one second,” I tell her breathlessly and exit the diner.
“Excuse me?” I motion to get one of the guys’ attention.
The blond one stands tall and puffs his chest out. “Yes, Mrs. Turner. Is everything alright?”
I roll my eyes. “Yes. Everything is fine but do you have to follow me everywhere?”
“Yes, Mrs. Turner.”
“I’m not Mrs. Turner.” He frowns.
I avert my gaze. “Not anymore. I had to change it.”
Why am I telling this man my personal business? I shake my head.
“Look. I’m trying to get a job, and it is very weird to have two guys in suits following me. Is it possible for you to find something else to do while I’m at work? Take a break. Go for a walk.”
“I’m afraid I can’t—”
“Please,” I plead. “I need this job. I know it seems weird and you don’t understand, but I really need this job.”
His eyes soften, and he looks at the other big guy in the suit with brown hair and brown eyes. “You really need this job?” he repeats.
I look over at the entrance of the diner, and the lady is talking with someone. I turn my head back and look at the bodyguard. “Yes. I really need the money. I know it looks weird. Why would Lane Turner’s widow need money, but you don’t understand. I don’t come from money and people like my late husband’s family want to take whatever he left me if they think I can benefit from it. And that’s okay. I have no family except for my son and until he is of age, I have nothing to offer him in the meantime. They will not stop until they destroy what his father was trying to leave him. He wanted nothing to do with them, and I know why, but right now, this is the best I can do for us.”
Both men look at each other with a hard scowl. Not at me but from what I’m telling them.
“Are you fucking shitting me right now?”
I shake my head. “No. Trust me. These are powerful people, and they have money and connections in places you’d never think it was possible to have. They will find a loophole and all they need is a reason. They don’t want their name associated with me.”
