Technical Threat (Westin Force #4) - Julie Trettel Page 0,29
if needed.”
“Thanks Sapphire. I really appreciate this.”
She sighed. “We’re family Susan. This is our family business. I’m sorry you’ve had everything thrust on your shoulders. I’m your big sister. I should be taking care of you, not the other way around.”
“You have your own things to deal with.”
“No, it’s not right and it’s going to change. I promise.”
I couldn’t respond so I just hung up.
I drove us back to the house. A sense of relief washed over me when I found the house empty. Our driveway looped around behind the house, so we never used the front door except for running back and forth between the house and restaurant.
There was some weird part of me that wanted to check to see if the guy was still there sitting in the window of the café, but I hadn’t been joking when I told Sage I didn’t believe in fairytale nonsense like a one true mate, or some prince who sweeps in and rescues me from my wicked mother. It was all hogwash, so no matter how attractive the guy was, I stubbornly refused to even go to the front of the house and look for him.
Instead, I went to my room, knowing I had a lot to do. I froze in the doorway and looked around. Tears started to prick my eyes.
A small part of me wanted to stay, despite everything. I had nowhere to go, but Shay had laid it all out there and if I asked for even an extension, she would use it against me for the rest of my life. This was the moment when I would break away from her hold over me.
I knew for the night I’d get hotel, but I wouldn’t waste money on that for long. I would need to start searching for a house or apartment in the area or I’d be sleeping in my car behind the restaurant. It didn’t sound any worse than staying under her roof.
I walked the rest of the way into my room, pushed the ever-growing to-do list from my head and set to work on the task at hand. Within two hours I was fully packed. It wasn’t like I had much.
“Sage, can you help me load these boxes into my car?”
She was quiet and looked so sad, but she came and helped anyway. The only thing remaining was my computer. I didn’t particularly want to leave it in my car. I’d spent thousands of dollars building up my system.
“I’m going to help out with the lunch rush and then I’ll be back to break this down. I think I got everything else.”
“If not, Sapphire and I will make sure you get anything left behind.”
I hugged her. “Thank you.”
“This is a good thing, Susan. I know it is.”
I wasn’t as confident, but I nodded my head for her benefit.
Tarron
Chapter 11
I was distracted and irritable. If I were being honest with myself, it had absolutely nothing to do with the mission. I could care less about the punk in the house across the street. All I could think about was the girl.
Long brown hair, big brown eyes that might be just a little too big for her face, and legs for miles. She was only a few inches shorter than me, but in heels, I’d be willing to bet we would be eye level.
Mate! the voice in my head said again.
I’d all but forgotten about the woman on the street that had first caught my attention. All I could obsessively think of was the waitress.
We’d finished our breakfast and ordered another round of drinks. Nonna pulled out her knitting bag and started working on a new project as she quietly sat across the booth from me.
I stared out the window at the house, but I wasn’t really seeing it. I knew there had been someone there off and on, but I couldn’t muster up the energy to care.
Our original waitress came back around with our refills.
“I’m so sorry I ran out on you like that. It was very unprofessional of me. I hope the girls took good care of you in my absence,” Sapphire said cheerily.
“We especially liked the brunette that was in here briefly. What was her name?” Nonna asked giving me a sly wink as I scowled back at her.
“That must have been Susan. She had a family emergency that called her away.”
“Oh no. I do hope everything is all right.”
“Everything is fine,” she assured her. “Are you ready for the check?”