on in and help you out with the morning rush.”
“Okay.” I took my purse and keys to the office, then asked, “Why do you have to head out early?”
“I’ve got a date.”
“Anyone I know?”
“No, and I don’t want to talk about it.” She started prepping the coffee machines as she explained, “I don’t want to jinx anything.”
“Oh, so you really like this guy, huh?”
“I already told you. I don’t want to talk about it, Frankie.”
“Okay. Fine. Have it your way.”
The morning rush came and went, but nothing more was said about the date. I figured if I gave her some time, she’d finally open up, but she avoided the conversation at all costs. She even wiped down all the tables and swept the floors—something she rarely ever did. Even though she’d never pay me the same respect, I gave my little sister her space, but I had every intention of calling her later to get the full scoop on what happened.
When things finally started to slow, Sydney came over and sat down at the counter in front of me. “So, how are things with you and Row-man?”
She always made a point to draw out his name, and I always made a point to ignore her when she did it. “Things are really good, actually. I think the boys really like him.”
“And what about you? Do you really like him, too?”
“I really, really do.”
“So, you think there’s a future with this guy?”
“You never know, but I hope so.” I looked over at her as I said, “I’ve never really felt like this with anyone before. Not with Marc. Not with anyone.”
“See! Aren’t you glad I pushed you to go out with him?”
“Actually, you told me I should ‘get me some of that’.”
“And you did and look what happened!” She threw her hands up in the air. “You’re in love with the bad boy biker! How cool is that!”
“You’re such a mess.”
“Yeah, I can’t help myself.” She reached over and placed her hand on mine. “I’m really happy for you, sis.”
“Thanks, Syd.”
“Be sure and tell him that I’ll cut his balls off if he hurts you.”
“Yeah, I’ll be sure and do that.”
After the lunch rush, Sydney headed home to get ready for her big date, leaving me to close the shop alone. It wasn’t a big deal. I’d done it a hundred times before, but tonight I was in a hurry. Roman and I were taking the boys out for pizza and bowling, and I didn’t want to be late. I rushed through our normal routine of cleaning the coffee pots and wiping down all the counters, then closed out the register. I went back to the office to turn off the lights and had just flipped the switch when I heard the front door chime. Damn. I’d forgotten to lock the door. I was still in the office when I shouted, “I’m sorry. We’re closed.”
No one responded, so I went out to see if anyone was there. That’s when I saw him. Marc was standing in the middle of my coffee shop. I knew the second I saw that menacing look in his eyes he’d come to make good on his threat—a threat he’d made many times over the past few years. He was going to kill me, and there wasn’t a damn thing I could do to stop him.
Chapter 19
Widow
“You won’t get away with this!” Marc spat. “I’ll have you arrested for kidnapping and assault!”
“Says the man who just beat the hell out of his ex-wife.”
“I’ll fucking kill you!”
“I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but you’re not in a position to be making threats.” I stood back and looked at him with a sense of satisfaction. He was strung up with his hands bound over his head, and his face looked like it had been put through a fucking meat grinder. His feet were barely touching the floor as he tried to wrangle himself free from the restraints. I’d already beaten the hell out of him, but I was just warming up. “You keep running that fucking mouth of yours, and I’ll cut your tongue right out of your head. It’d suit me just fine. As far as I’m concerned, you have it coming.”
“I knew you were a fucking monster. I told Frankie to steer clear of you, but the fucking bitch wouldn’t listen.”
Once again, rage swept over me, and I couldn’t stop myself from plowing my fist into the side of his face, knocking the motherfucker out. His chin