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This left me with only one choice: to do what I did best. Show no fear.
CHAPTER TEN
Just before closing, Uncle Jimmie said goodnight. He informed me there was a deputy parked out back who’d make sure I got to my truck safely.
“We’ll do bank deposits and books tomorrow afternoon,” Jimmie said. “I gotta get home to feed Barney. He’s been busy making baby Barneys all week.”
“Wow. Such a stud. Give him a juicy worm for me.” I smiled big, attempting to exhibit my joy over Jimmie’s phenomenal gift, even if my life was being hijacked by a vampire. “Have a good night.”
He gave me a nod and left. I got to cashing out the servers’ credit card tips. It had been a good night for them, which was great.
The front door opened, and I heard the sounds of heavy footsteps on the hardwood floor.
“We’re closed, sugar. But we open tomorrow at…” I looked up to find Montgomery Stark with his shiny black hair pulled back. He had on worn jeans and an untucked white T-shirt. His black cowboy boots gave him an extra inch, which only added to his towering frame.
On his muscled arms, I could see tattoos that looked like vines, with shapes and symbols where a real vine might have leaves. A portion of the tattoo peeked out from beneath the collar of his T-shirt, revealing it ended at his neck. I wondered what the ink meant.
“Sugar?” he said, his voice dark, smooth, and seductive. “I cannot say anyone has ever called me that, but I am pleased you are coming around.”
Oh Lord.I felt my knees go soft. I wasn’t ready for this, but for better or worse, I had to push forward. I couldn’t fight an enemy I didn’t understand, any more than I could wage a war with unknown rules. If this was really happening, which it was, I was going to have to learn as much as I could about Montgomery Stark.
The plan was to run him out of town, but that meant knowing what would scare him off. Holy water, crucifixes, garlic, none of the above? I doubted he’d just come out and tell me his weaknesses, but if I got his guard down, he might say something useful.
As a last resort, I needed to know how to kill a vampire, but I’d already decided not to focus on that. Plain and simple, I just didn’t have the heart of a killer, and Ronnie was proof. I still felt like a piece of crap after what I’d done, and he’d killed Deedee. If anyone deserved to die, it was him.
Welp, here goes.
The other servers, including Maybell, were busy cleaning the tables and putting the chairs up for the janitorial crew.
“Blazing a new fashion trail?” I arched a brow and returned to counting out tips, acting nonchalant. If my gift was burying my emotions, now was the time to use it to my advantage.
“Jeans and T-shirt are hardly new.”
“I meant for you, Mr. Stark.” I didn’t know why I called him by his last name. Maybe it was simply what we did in the South when we wanted to show respect. That, or to keep people at arm’s length. Last names lacked a certain familiarity.
“Please, call me Montgomery.”
I kept counting money, acting like his presence didn’t bother me.
“You’re nervous and trying to hide it. Why?” he asked.
Dangit. Breathe, breathe, breathe. “What gives you that impression?”
“I can hear your heart beating. It’s on fire,” he said in a low voice.
I had to respond quickly. “Thought you said you were a gentleman.”
“I am.”
“Then why are you fishin’ for a compliment?” I sassed, looking into those chilling pale eyes. “I’m sure you’re aware of your good looks.”
Would he buy my lie? Because while he was an attractive man, he was still a monster.
He smiled, two deep divots forming in his cheeks.
Vile bastard had dimples. It felt like God was playing a joke. Dimples were for giggling babies and cute boys with good hearts. On him they were more like a weapon meant to deceive.
“I have learned of your recent good fortune,” he explained, “and I surmised you will be here late most nights.”
