around with her.
Goosebumps covered her arms. She rubbed her limps, trying to shake all thoughts of Whip out of her mind.
He was gone from her life.
Their chance encounter turned mini-kidnap-vacation was over. He would go wherever it was safe for him.
Picking up the order pad and grabbing the full coffee pot, she walked across the room to check with her customers. She would never find out if Whip survived Big's attack. She would never know if he got back to riding with his club. She would never know if he gave her a second thought once she left him.
She approached the booth and smiled. "How are you folks doing?"
The older woman slid her coffee cup toward Twyla. "Just a little."
Twyla poured, topping off the mug, and looked at the gentlemen. "How about you?"
Coffee was endless at the restaurant. Many customers spent hours visiting, slowly eating their pie, and coming back time and again.
"I'm good." The older man leaned back in the booth and patted his stomach. "Two pieces of pie tells me it's time for a nap."
She laughed. "Well, you sit back and take a catnap. If you change your mind, my name is Twyla. I'll help you."
"Don't you dare fall asleep, Herb." The woman pointed her fork across the table and glared.
Herb winked at Twyla. "She's the boss."
"Well, it looks like she's got a tough job." She smiled at the couple and stepped away.
Older couples were hilarious. She admired their ease around each other. Probably married for decades, they had a deep friendship and connection.
Glad to be back at work, she moved to check on the new arrivals and hit a brick wall at the sight of Big and another Cusclan member entering the door. She sidestepped to hide. Her heart beat faster, knowing Whip wasn't here.
Although confident she could take care of herself, she panicked. Whip's belief that if Big failed to get him arrested, he'd come after her made her paranoid.
Big walked over to her. She held her ground. They were inside the restaurant. All of her co-workers were here. The room was full of customers.
He couldn't hurt her.
"Long time, no see, baby." Big kept walking, forcing her to back away from the customers.
Afraid he'd bowl her over, she stepped away as soon as she reached the counter. "What do you want?"
"Besides you?" Big glared. "I want what you stole from me."
She tilted her head up and pressed her lips together, making her neck ache. There was no way she'd give him back his pistol and box of ammunition she'd taken the day she left his house for the last time. She wasn't a fool. He had a club who would give him a new one.
No, she was going to keep the gun because as long as Big knew she had it, the pistol would keep him from touching her.
Though she couldn't shoot him in the middle of the restaurant. The pistol was in the back, inside her purse, and on her as soon as she stepped outside.
"I've got nothing of yours." She lowered her voice. "Now, excuse me. I need to work."
He grabbed her arm and hauled her against him. "Don't make me—"
"Twyla?" Amy stepped beside her. "Go ahead and take your break. I'll seat these gentlemen."
Not wanting Big to harass Amy, she looked to her supervisor. "I've got this. They ordered a pie to go." Turning her attention back to Big, she motioned for him to follow. "I'll get your pie."
Not stopping, she hoped Big was walking behind her. She couldn't afford to lose her job.
Stepping behind the counter, she removed the first pie closest to her, a rhubarb pie, and set it on the top of the case. Big stood there, challenging her to stop him from making a scene.
"Take it," she said on a hiss. "Leave me alone."
Big took the dessert and leaned closer. "We're not done."
She glanced around. Amy watched her from the other side of the room, concern etched on her face. Bikers weren't the normal kind of people the restaurant attracted or wanted.
Big thumped the top of the glass case with his meaty fist and stepped backward, staring her down. She kept her mouth shut. All she wanted was for him to leave.
Once he and his MC brother reached the door and stepped outside, she exhaled in a rush. What in the world was he doing?
He'd never once come to the restaurant during the time she lived with him. Not to drop her off or pick her up, and certainly