AllFreeNovel
Share Us
"That doesn't mean it doesn't still hurt."
He tips my head back, his gaze running across my face. He's so somber, so serious. And then he smiles. "I'm going to make you fall in love with me, Scarlett Crawford from Gatsby Books."
You already have, Super-spy Finn Taylor.
I don't say that. Luckily, I don't have to say anything.
"Excuse me? I'm ready to check out now."
"Shoot!" I whisper, squirming out from between Finn's body and the bookshelf as the impatient voice reaches our little corner of the store. My cheeks blaze with heat. I forgot we weren't alone in the store. Oh, my goodness. Finn Taylor is dangerous.
"Hey." He grabs my hand before I can scurry away. "I've got to head out to take care of some shit. I probably won't make it back before you close. Have dinner with me?"
"I can't," I decline regretfully. Every part of me wants to say yes. "I can't leave Aunt Ophelia alone after dialysis."
"Bring her," he says with a shrug. "We'll go to the Broadway Steakhouse. I know the owner. If she's banned, I'll make sure they unban her. He owes me a favor."
I do not even want to know what my aunt could have possibly done to get banned from a steakhouse. Actually, yes, I do. Her life is way more interesting than mine. I make a mental note to ask her about it.
"You're sure?" I ask Finn.
"Bring her, Scarlett," he growls at me, smiling.
"Okay."
"What the heck?" I whisper, staring in shock as the same odd man from the other day steps up to the door as I flip the lock at closing time. Like the last two times I saw him, he's dressed in a fancy suit, his salt and pepper hair carefully coiffed.
"Hello, Ms. Crawford," he calls through the glass, smiling at me.
My blood runs cold. I never gave him my last name. It's not on my nametag either. In fact, I don't even think I was even wearing my nametag the day he came in here. I usually throw it in my bag on the way out of the house in the morning, only to find it when I clean out my purse at night. I put it on the table with my keys and promise myself I'll do better tomorrow…and then do the exact same thing again. It's a vicious cycle. Luckily, Maddie is still on her honeymoon. And she doesn't mind anyway. She's a good boss.
"We're closed!" I call, silently cursing myself when my voice shakes.
"My name is Silas Renton. I'd like to speak to you about a private matter."
"Sorry, we're closed!" I yell again.
"It'll only take a minute," he says, trying to turn the knob on the door. When it doesn't open, he rattles it, shaking the whole door.
"Go away!" I shout, and then quickly scurry out of sight. I practically run to the backroom, dodging bookshelves and displays. Anxiety churns through me threatening to close up my throat. I slip into the back of the store and slam the door closed, flipping the lock. My gaze immediately bounces to the back door, relief rushing through me when I confirm that the deadbolt is locked and the alarm on it is set. I take a deep breath and arm the security system for the front of the store with shaking hands, and then call Finn.
"You miss me," he says, a smile in his voice when he answers.
"Finn," I sob as soon as I hear his voice. My knees tremble, relief coursing through me. Just hearing his voice makes me feel safer.
"Scarlett? What's wrong?" He instantly switches from sweet to deadly serious. "What happened?"
"The man from the other day is here," I whisper. "He knows my last name and he kept insisting that he needed to talk to me. He tried to open the door to the store after I locked it and told him we were closed."
"What the fuck?" he roars. "Where are you, pretty baby?"
"In the storeroom."
"Lock the door and set the alarm."
"I did."
"Good girl. Stay right there," he growls. "I'm coming for you, pretty baby."
