“Do you think he’ll come back? That would be the most annoying thing of all.” Melodia wrinkled her nose.
Amorette focused on reorganizing the out-of-place tomes before her. “I don’t know. He seemed pretty serious about it.”
“I won’t say yes. He didn’t even ask properly.” Melodia toyed with her book, running her thumb back and forth against the corner of the pages. “Did he really think I’m some dumb blonde? I know I’m pretty, but does that automatically make me dumb?”
Amorette only smiled. Melodia had her own way of seeing the world. This was one of those times she had to let her think out loud. It was refreshing, to not work in absolute silence. For the first time since she ran out of her own home, Amorette thought there might be something to smile about.
She didn’t know who the man was, but she hoped he returned. It would be interesting to see how Melodia handled someone as hot-tempered and hard-headed as herself.
Amorette sighed. Would she ever find that special someone? It seemed to her that most people ran into their soulmates at the strangest times, in the strangest situations. But... she never had that epiphany moment. The only man who ever tried to take care of her was Hunter.
Her lips curled into a smile at the thought of him. He knew how to lighten her load, at the very least. Her once-dormant crush had blossomed and then curled in again when he didn’t speak a word in her defense. He probably thought she would want to take care of it herself. Again. But, sometimes, it would be nice if someone would take the initiative to care for her.
“Here.” Melodia dangled a sandwich in front of Amorette’s face. “You’ve worked hard, way past lunchtime. Eat this. It’s the least I can do.”
“Thanks, Mel.” Amorette grabbed the sandwich and stood to stretch her arms and back. She leaned against the shelf for support when her legs rebelled. “You didn’t have to do this. You’re already housing me.”
“Hey. Shh.” Melodia put a finger to her lips. “Let’s not make that public knowledge, okay? You’ve had enough interesting days that I’m not trying to jinx the rest of your month.”
“You couldn’t if you tried.”
“I could but I won’t.” Melodia laughed and shrugged a shoulder. “It’s almost closing time. Will you shut down the store for me? I have an errand to run.”
“Is there anyone in here right now?” Amorette opened her sandwich and bit into it.
“Some man called asking if we had a specific volume. I already pulled it for you, so when he gets here all you have to do is ring it up.” Melodia smiled brightly and blew a kiss on her way toward the door. “Ciao bella! Have fun!”
Amorette laughed and rolled her eyes. Eccentric, beautiful Melodia. What did she ever do to deserve a friend like that woman? If she didn’t have Hunter and Melodia, Amorette didn’t know how she would survive life.
With that last depressing thought, she focused all her attention on the sandwich in her hands. Then she wouldn’t have to worry until the final customer showed up.
Sadly, the bell rang just as Amorette made it halfway through the sub. She sighed and headed for the register, her smile fixed in place.
“Welcome to The Nook! How may I assist you today?” She stuffed her sandwich on a shelf below the register.
The middle-aged man eyed her with a sneer. He shook his head when his appraisal was done, obviously finding something lacking about her. “I called.” He held out a slip of paper.
Amorette took the proffered note and smiled at it. “Melodia said you’d be coming. One second.” She spun to scan the shelf behind her, finally grabbing the book he specified. She set it on the counter.
“That’s not what I ordered.” The man folded his arms.
“It is. I promise. Sometimes books differ from their online listing, depending on lighting and publication year-”
“It’s not what I ordered.”
“It’s exactly what’s on this paper.” Amorette held the note so he could see it. “If you changed your mind, you can leave. It isn’t like you paid for it already. I’m sure we can find another buyer.”
The man snarled and shoved the book back across the counter. “I want the book I ordered. It’s a rare volume. You can’t even get that right?”
“Sir, I’m going to have to ask you to calm down. This is the book you ordered. I can show you the emails asking for it, as well as the note that you literally handed me two minutes ago.” Amorette took a breath.
It took everything in her power not to lash out at him. She hated customers like this. The kind that would tell you it was raining when the sun was at its brightest.
“No. I want the book I ordered now. No more excuses.”
Amorette refrained from rolling her eyes, barely. She turned to walk away. It would be better to let him cool down.
The man reached out grabbed her arm, jerking Amorette to a stop and pulling her back toward the register. Her hip hit the counter with an audible clap.
Amorette hissed a breath when the pain shot through her thigh and up her side. “Let go.”
“Not until I get my merchandise.”
She opened her mouth to speak again as the tears built in her eyes. Nothing came out. You will not cry, you will not cry, you will not cry...
“The young lady asked to be released.”
Amorette looked past the angry customer to see the source of the voice. The man was tall, in his thirties at most. His eyes were nearly black, his hair just as dark. She had never seen him before in her life, but she was more than thankful he showed up now.
The customer scoffed, but he let go of Amorette’s arm. “Whatever. I’ll deal with the owner lady when she comes back. This place isn’t worth it.”
“That’s a matter of opinion.” The newcomer watched the man storm out the door, then turned back to Amorette. “He seemed like a gem. Are you alright?”
“I’m fine. Thank you.” Amorette tugged her sleeve back up onto her shoulder. “How can I help you today, Mister...?”
“Blakely. Imran Blakely.” Imran produced a sheet of paper and held it out to her. “I thought you might have these titles.”
Amorette scanned the list with a critical eye. “I think we have most of these. Give me a minute to run and check?” She glanced up with a soft smile.
Imran nodded his head. “Take your time.”
Amorette took the list with her and began to pull titles he requested. “If you don’t mind my asking, what are all these for? It’s a... unique collection.”
“A class I’m teaching.”
“You teach?”
“I’m a professor of history,” Imran answered.
Amorette peeked her head back out from around the bookshelf that hid her from view. “You’re a professor?”
“That’s what most of my students ask, too. Surprisingly, it’s the truth.” Imran nodded as if to reassure both of them.
Amorette arched a brow, surprised but not shocked. He carried the general aura of the professors she had known. Not that she knew many of them, but it fit somehow.
“You seem young to be a professor.”
“I learn quickly.” Imran grinned in her direction.
“There’s something to be said for that.” Amorette giggled. She pulled another book from the shelf and added it to the stack in her arms. “You must be very dedicated to your work.”
“Oh, extremely.” Imran agreed. “It’s my life’s passion.”
Amorette returned to the counter with her arms full of books. She dumped them next to the register and held out the slip of paper to Imran. “We don’t have the last three, but we can order them if you’d like.”
“That would be very helpful, indeed.” Imran accepted the list with a slight bow. It was a strange mannerism, but Imran seemed to be a strange person overall.
Amorette rang up the books in front of her and wrote the last three down. “We’ll have those for you in the next few weeks, but if you leave a phone number we’ll call to keep you updated in case something happ
ens.”
“That would be splendid.” Imran took the offered sheet of paper with a grateful smile. He scribbled ten digits and handed it back with a flourish. “Can I escort you anywhere? He seemed serious about causing harm here.”
“Thank you, but no. I’ll be fine.” Amorette set the bags of books in front of him. “Can I help you carry those to your car?”
“Thank you, but no. I’ll be fine.” Imran chuckled and extended a small, rectangle card toward her. “My business card. In case you need anything.”
“That’s very kind of you.” Amorette set the card by the register. “Come again and I’ll be sure to call when the books come in.” She waved as Imran headed out the door. He seemed nice enough.
The clock chimed.
Amorette skipped to the door and locked it, tugging a few times to ensure it was secure. With that done, she retrieved her own book from behind the counter and pushed through the door into the back room.
A pile of pillows and blankets awaited her in the far corner. Amorette grinned and kicked her shoes off before she flopped down. It wasn’t a mattress or a fancy hotel room, but it was hers for now. She had been more than overjoyed when Melodia told her she could stay back there. It wasn’t much, but it was warm and dry. That’s all she needed while she figured out what to do next.
Amorette laid her head back against the wall. Who could read when her thoughts raged so wildly in her head? She wanted to be peaceful, but she couldn’t. Amorette blew out a frustrated breath. Running away from home didn’t do much good, after all. She was more anxious now than she had been then.
“You have to sleep,” she told herself. “You should do at least that much.”
With a heavy sigh, Amorette cuddled down into the blankets and closed her eyes, hoping sleep would come.
“SIR, I THINK YOU SHOULD see this.” Collins held out his tablet to Eadric.
Eadric glared at him. “Did you find the girl? Because we have nothing to talk about if you didn’t.”
“This pertains to her. She arrived safely at work this morning and stayed all day. This happened at closing time.” He nudged the tablet closer to Eadric’s face.
Eadric glared for another minute before he was satisfied that Collins was squirming. He snatched the tablet and tapped the play button aggressively. The footage rolled, and he didn’t like what he saw. Neither of the visitors boded well, even if he couldn’t see what went on inside. He could look that up later.
“Tighten security. I want to know where she’s staying and with whom. Don’t let her out of your sight for a moment.” Eadric handed the tablet back. “If you lose her again, I won’t forgive it.”
[Episode 5]
Actionable Consequences
MISTY FOG PERMEATED the black night, making vision impossible. Only voices floated through the air. Voices of those who knew best.
“We can’t tell them. You know what they’ll do.”
“We can’t not tell them. If they discover we’ve lied and covered this up...”
“You know what they’re capable of now. We never signed up for this.”
“There’s no going back. We know things now.”
“Not this. Not her.”
THE SHOP PHONE RANG early the next morning. Amorette groaned and wrinkled her nose. She hadn’t planned on waking up so early. She couldn’t even answer the phone, considering the shop wasn’t open so anyone calling would question why she was answering at this hour.
The answering machine beeped, signaling the start of a new message.
“For the love of everything holy, Amorette if you’re there answer this stupid phone.”
Amorette sat straight up, eyes wide as she stared at the store phone. Why would Hunter call here so early? How did he know she was here?
“Mi Amor, please...” his voice trailed off, like he wasn’t sure he was doing any good.
Amorette sighed and stood. She grabbed the phone from its cradle. “Are you stalking me?”
“Oh, thank God. You’re really at the shop?” The relief in his voice was palpable, as if he’d been worried something bad happened. It was a nice sentiment, even if it wasn’t true.
Amorette ran a hand back through her hair. “Yeah, I’m here. So can you stop calling now? Do you know what time of the morning it is?”
“Yes. I’ve been searching all night. Come let me in.”
Amorette’s heart stopped for a split second. A convulsive gulp rang in the still morning air. “What?” He was here? Why would he come here? There was no reason for him to show up like this. Unless... unless her suspicions were correct. “You’re... outside?”
“Mi Amor, can we discuss this inside? I look stupid standing at the door in front of a closed sign. Please?” Hunter didn’t breathe between sentences, as if he meant every word. As if he was desperate to see her.
A war waged in Amorette’s head. Hunter could be sincere, or he could be after something else. He had been nothing but a gentleman the other night. A nagging suspicion told her there was more to Hunter than met the eye. In a good way.
Amorette set the phone back in its cradle and marched for the front door, keys in hand.
As his phone call suggested, Hunter did indeed stand outside the door. She unlocked it. A swift tug on his jacket sleeve pulled Hunter into the shop. Amorette locked the door behind him.
“Why are you here so early?” Hunter turned to ask her, his eyes dark with concern.
Amorette folded her arms. “Why are you here at all?”
“I was worried. You ran out of your own house the other night and I couldn’t reach you after.”
“I don’t have a cell phone, remember?”
“Exactly!” Hunter’s hands landed on her shoulders. He held her at arm’s length. Searching brown eyes scanned her face. “Where have you been? You didn’t go home. I kept checking.”
Amorette quickly thought of the only fib that he might buy. “I... stayed at a friend’s house.”
Hunter arched a brow at her. “Oh yeah? Which friend? Melodia?”
Hey, perfect excuse! Amorette smiled and nodded, lying the entire time. What Hunter didn’t know wouldn’t kill him. It was her life and she could make accurate, decent decisions without his interruption or opinion. Saying she spent the night with Melodia would get Hunter off her back.
Except, any semblance of a smile he used to carry slowly slipped from his features. “I called Melodia, Mi Amor. She said you weren’t there.”
Uh-oh. Unexpected obstacle. Think, Amorette, think hard! She swallowed and glanced up at her friend. “She... was lying?”
“Oh, give it up, already.” Hunter snorted a derisive little laugh. “Mi Amor...” he trailed off. One eyebrow twitched, followed by a tick in his jaw. Amorette knew the look. He was thinking. Processing. Realizing. “No. Oh, no.” He shook his head.
The second he spun on his heel, Amorette knew she was in for it. Hunter was anything but dumb. He definitely put two and two together. Her fears and suspicions were only confirmed when he marched straight toward her backroom hideaway.
Hunter flung the door wide and sighed. “Mi Amor...”
“It’s not what it looks like. Melodia let me stay here for a night. Or two. I’m not going to live here forever, I swear. And it’s not that bad. If I put on enough blankets, I can’t even feel the cold seeping through on the floor...” Amorette winced and let her rant end there.
She was making it worse. She knew Hunter too well. He may seem aloof, but he cared about people’s safety. Including hers.
“Do you know how many things could go wrong with you living in the back of a bookstore?” Hunter turned back to her, but instead of the anger she expected, his gaze held only concern. “Mi Amor, did you stop to think that this isn’t a livable area?”
Amorette clutched one hand around the opposite arm. She had disappointed him. She could hear it in his voice. “My house isn’t very livable right now either.”
A long pause probably meant that Hunter was processing that,
but Amorette didn’t dare look up. Not until he reached out and settled his hands on her shoulders.
“I know.” Hunter sighed again. “And that’s partially my fault. I’ll fix it. Somehow. Just... don’t stay here. Come stay at my place. You can have the bed, I’ll take the couch.”
“I’m not sure that’s the greatest idea.” Amorette took a step back, away from his fingers.
He was probably trying to make up for what he did the other night. Trying, somehow, to apologize for not sticking up for her when he had the chance. She didn’t do well with pity.
“One night. That’s all I ask. I’ll find you somewhere else to stay.”
Amorette looked past Hunter, to her pile of assorted pillows and blankets. The floor here was, admittedly, cold. Only one window held a place along the cement wall. It wasn’t the best idea, but it got her through a few troublesome nights.
Amorette heaved a deep breath and looked up at him. “Okay. One night. But I’ll take the couch.”
“No way. Bed or nothing. I’ll take the couch in case something wonky happens. Plus, then you can’t sneak out on me.” Hunter shrugged and tossed an arm around her shoulders. “I’m glad you see things my way. Now... what do you need to collect here before I take you to get a nice, warm breakfast?”
Hunter changed the subject so efficiently that he left no time for Amorette to get a word in edgewise. Which meant she also had no choice about going to his house or to breakfast. Thankfully, she knew how Hunter worked. He’d let it go if she let him spoil her for a few hours. In his book, money spoke loudest. He’d been that way since she met him. Amorette wagered it had something to do with how his parents raised him.
“Hurrying would be advised.” Hunter rotated his finger in the universal gesture for “be quick about it.”
Amorette ducked out from under his arm and dashed to grab her shoes and coat.
When she came right back to his side, Hunter gaped. “That’s all you have?”
“Here? Yes.” Amorette pulled her jacket over her arms. “I haven’t had the guts to go home and grab my stuff yet. I’ll work up the courage one day.”
Codex Page 6
