by Lyssa Cole
Luna answers me with lots of kisses, her drool coating my hand. Her tail wags frantically as I search for the leash. Where in the hell did I put it?
Luna barks, her leash hanging from her mouth. This dog is something else. I ruffle her ears and chuckle. Throwing my suit on the bed, I change into my workout clothes and head out the door.
After Luna relieves herself outside, we take a fast run around the lot of townhouses, the heat of the sprint keeping the cold off. Luna keeps up the entire time, never once dragging back, her own stamina keeping mine going.
I often wonder where I’d be without this dog. She’s saved me from so many dark times, so many nights I’ve wanted to get lost in a bottle. I found her during my time on my own and we’ve been together since.
After giving Luna her water and food, I head to the gym in the common area to finish my workout. I still need at least a half hour of cardio and a full hour of lifting. Working out helps clear my head, but more importantly, keeps the demons at bay. The dark, ugly ones that keep me awake at night. Squeezing the air from my lungs and choking the life out of me.
I’ve tried to run, tried to hide, but the memories, the demons—they always find me. I’m pretty damn sure they always will.
I pound out the steps on the treadmill, my body racing for the finish line. My mind wanders to the sexy woman with those brown curls…
“Hey, boss.” Joe taps my back, pulling me from my intense workout.
I give him the eyes, the ones that say, “Not now,” but in true Joe fashion, he doesn’t get the hint.
“How was your day? Make any headway yet?”
I shake my head. Joe means well. He’s been my partner in crime since we graduated the police training academy together. When we both decided to further our learning by taking on the big guns, we became partners, but above all else, close friends.
“I know you’ll get there, boss. You always do.” Joe pats my back once more before jumping on the treadmill next to me. “We got a few calls in today, but overall, this case isn’t giving us much.”
Joe mans the phones and the computer work. He’s always been one to be behind the scenes, keeping himself out of the limelight. Sometimes I wish he’d see his potential because he’d make a badass detective out there on duty.
“I’ll find something. I’ll make sure of it.” I puff out. I lower the speed on the treadmill as I finish my miles, needing to even my pace.
“Anne told you about the hair salon, right?” Joe picks up speed as I slow down.
“Yep. I wish we had more to go on, though. Her observations are weak at best and while there could be something there, I’m not so sure. Worth a minute to check it, though.”
Joe nods. “You never know what you may find.”
After our workout and lifting, we hit the showers and then Joe joins me for some room service. I’ve checked my phone a million times, but no word from my cousin, Andrew, yet. He knows I hate waiting, and soon, I’ll be annoying the shit out of him.
I want this taken care of once and for all. It’s time to end my uncle and my brothers. Their crimes have gone on long enough, and I want to be the one to take them down.
I slide into bed, exhausted and drained, Luna’s warm furry body cuddling next to me. My eyes drift closed just as my phone beeps with a new text from Andrew. Finally.
Damn it. I can’t wait until tomorrow.
I need to know.
My future depends on it.
Chapter 4
Alicia
“Are you excited to start your job tomorrow?” Maddie’s sweet voice fills the room.
I pick up my curling iron, wiping it down with a wet cloth. “I guess. I mean, I don’t know.” I blow out a breath. I’m sitting at my kitchen island with my hair tools spread out before me, some soaking in disinfectant while I wipe the others down. A strawberry smoothie sits beside me, my sweet tooth craving a fix.
“What’s wrong, A? You don’t seem like yourself. I thought you were happy to have a new job and stay put.”
Yeah, I told everyone I was happy. Am I?
Not one fucking bit.
My mom’s illness is a toll on me, my days filled with either working or caregiving.
Worry rolls through me on a constant basis while I try to keep up with everything.
“I was. I mean, I am. Oh, I don’t know, Mads. My mom is only getting worse and taking care of her is exhausting. I’m staying here for now. I need to be here for her. The city can wait. It’s not going anywhere.”
“Why don’t you take your mom with you?”
“I wish it were that simple. All her doctors are here and her friends who help out. I need to be here for her. And if that means working at this salon, that’s what I’ll do.”
“You do what you feel is best, A. Please remember, even though I’m an ocean away, I’m here for you. Call me, vent to me, whatever. I’m here.”
“Thanks. I appreciate it.” I finish wiping the last tool before setting it back in my bag. “Who knows, maybe a hot man will come into the salon and sweep me off my feet.”
We both laugh. My mind drifts to the man at the shelter.
My insides tingle as I picture his eyes boring into me. He stalked over to me like I was his prey, and fuck if it wasn’t hot.
It was hot.
It was fucking hot.
He had to open his mouth and ruin it.
What a jerk.
I focus back on my conversation. “How’s Jax and the baby?”
Maddie blew out a breath. “Good, good, everything’s good. Besides my boobs leaking, my body drained of all life and energy, and did I say my boobs leak?”
My loud laugh fills the room. “Damn, girl. I’m sure that has got to suck.”
“You’re telling me. Any type of crying and it’s like a faucet explodes. The other night during sex, I squirted Jax in the face by accident.” Maddie’s sweet laugh carries over the phone, mixing with the shriek of her baby in the background.
“Parenthood is crazy, huh? Sounds like you’re being paged now.”
“Shh, shhh, baby,” Maddie soothes. I hear a suckling noise and then silence. “There ya go.”
I smile, my eyes growing wet. I’m so proud of how far she’s come. I can’t wait to visit.
“You’re amazing, Maddie, you know that?”
“So are you, A. So are you.”
“How you doing, my A plus girl?”
I chuckle at my mom’s nickname for me. She hasn’t said that to me in ages, yet it’s like it was just yesterday when she would ask me how her A plus girl was doing every day I came home from school.
Even after our life went to shit, she may not have said it as much, but when she was home, she still did.
“I’m doing okay, Ma.” I tuck the corners of the soft blanket around my mother’s body, her frame so much thinner than it used to be. The cancer continues to eat away at her. “I’m starting my new job in a couple of days.”
She cracks a smile at me as she takes my hands with her own. “No need to fuss over me, A. That’s what my nurse is for.”
I sit in the chair next to her and give her a look that says, “I can fuss all I want.” I want to take care of her like she took care of me all by herself. Even when my dad was around, he wasn’t taking care of me. He was too busy involved in one thing—himself.
A squeeze to my hand brings me back to the present. “Are you excited for work?”
I nod at the same time my stomach does a flip. No, I’m not excited. More like shit my pants nervous.
“I guess, Ma. It’s going to be strange. I’ve worked for myself for so long now. I feel a bit intimated.”
“Don’t worry, A. You’ll do great. Besides, that new salon is lucky to have the best hairdresser in town.” My mom throws me a wink before taking a sip of her water.
<
br /> “I don’t think I’d say the best, but thanks for the vote of confidence.”
“Of course you’re the best, A. Don’t be silly. Is Ruby still going to New York?” Mom’s eyes droop, her round of painkillers she just took starting to kick in.
“Yep, she leaves next week. I’m going to miss the shit out of her.” I look away as the reality hits me.
Again.
It’s not like I haven’t thought about it every single day.
Ruby has been here by my side since we met over our cold grilled cheese sandwiches on our first day of kindergarten. Oh, and who can forget our matching My Little Pony thermoses of lukewarm tomato soup we both had.
It won’t be the same around here without her.
I was supposed to be going with her. Living my life. Living my dream.
A wave of sadness and guilt crashes over me. My mom can’t help she got sick. She can’t help her stage four breast cancer came rushing back full force out of nowhere after being in remission for two years.
My life has to be put on hold while I take care of her. Nurse her back to health.
I can’t lose her. No way. No how.
I’m so afraid it’ll happen.
If she gets better, the two of us can finally get the hell out of here.
The sound of gagging rings through the air, and I turn my head just in time to see my mom lose her lunch over the side of the bed.
I jump up and grab her trash bucket. I hand it to her before moving behind her to hold her hair and rub her back.
After a few rounds of vomiting and dry heaving, she collapses back against her pillows, taking small sips of water I offer her through a straw.
Within minutes, she’s fast asleep. I don’t move from her chair. Instead, I hold her hand and pray.
I’m not the religious type, but sometimes it just feels damn good.
I pray for happy and healthy futures.
For dreams and a full life.
Mostly, I pray to be able to breathe through another day. One minute at a time.
“Here’s the employee area where you can take your breaks and eat. We have a fridge and microwave over there. Feel free to use them.”
Deanna, my new coworker, is giving me a tour of the salon. Too bad I can’t focus much on her words. Her floral perfume and her big beehive of a hairstyle have kept my mind elsewhere.
Like getting the fuck out of here.
For some reason, this place is creeping me out. The walls are dingy and painted brown. The decor is on the modern side but scarce and not enough to brighten up the place.
The smell of nail polish remover is pungent and mixing in with Deanna’s perfume it makes for a nauseating combination.
How in the hell am I ever going to survive here?
“Well, come out when you’re ready. Your first client is at ten.” Deanna disappears through the door, leaving me alone in the dark break room. I glance around for a light switch and when I spot one on the far wall, I walk over and hit it, but nothing happens.
No lights?
I sigh and take one more glance around the room before I make my way to my area.
My boss sits in the front of the store, his eyes darting around the room. There are two other women working in the salon. Deanna is across from me and Sandy is next to me, a young blond woman who looks fresh out of high school.
I busy myself with organizing my area and setting up my tools how I like. A few people come and go, some stopping in for nails or others to make appointments. Sandy and Deanna each take a client just before my own appointment walks in.
One look at her big, poufy hair and I know I have my work cut out for me.
Welcome to day one.
The rest of the day passes quickly, my schedule pretty full. I had clients back to back with only a quick half hour for lunch. Sandy and Deanna were busy too.
I wonder if they’ll be hiring another person because this salon is pretty busy for just opening.
How long have they been open anyways?
I sweep up the rest of the hair, clean the chair and my counter. As I turn around to get my dust pan, I slam into a hard mass, knocking me off balance, and I grab the chair to steady myself.
“What in the hell?” I mutter, but when I look up I bite my tongue. My boss is glaring down at me, his face mere inches from mine.
“I…I’m sorry, Mr. Dorsey,” I stutter, my cheeks flaming red. “I didn’t see you there.”
“You should be a bit more careful, Miss Rego. Or should we go to a first-name basis, Alicia?” His eyes dart down my body, and my blood runs cold.
This guy gives me a bad feeling. A very bad feeling.
“Uh, first names are fine. I was just cleaning up to go.” I grab the broom, tossing him a smile for good measure.
He takes a step back, a grin crossing his face as he continues to watch me. What’s up with this guy?
“I was coming by to see how your first day went. I like to know how all my girls do and make sure they’re satisfied in every way.” His eyes flash, and I freeze in place.
Could he be any more blatant right now?
He’s messing with the wrong chick.
“I had a great day, Mr. Dorsey. Thanks for checking. Now, if you’ll excuse me.” I drop the broom, grab my purse, and head for the front door. “Have a good night.”
I glance back to see him standing there watching me, not one blink or movement from him. Before I reach the door, I look for Deanna and Sandy to say goodbye, but they’re nowhere in sight.
Weird.
Something is up with that place. Or rather, with my boss.
Fuck, what have I got myself into?
One day, one minute at a time, A.
I hop into my car as I shove a hard candy in my mouth. I turn the engine over, letting the car warm up before blasting the heat. Sugar soothes my soul and right now, it needs some serious soothing.
My goodbye dinner with Ruby is this weekend and dread fills me at the thought of her leaving. I’m going to miss her so much.
I breathe out, pushing the anger away. Then I crank up my music, pop another hard candy in my mouth for extra flavor, and peel out of my spot.
Chapter 5
Alicia
Time passes as the days grow colder and snowier. February is upon us and while most think January is the worst for the winter, February is the one that knocks you on your ass.
It’s snowed every day for the past week and the temperatures drop to below zero at night.
Makes someone want to become a hermit, holed up all day in their warm bed.
Which I’ve pretty much become. Besides work and taking care of my mom, I don’t do much else. Ruby and I used to fill our weekends with things to do or I’d be booking gigs.
Now, I fill my weekend with taking care of my mom and running errands.
Ruby’s loving New York. She fell right in with the lifestyle as I knew she would. Her apartment is gorgeous. I couldn’t help drooling when she gave me the official FaceTime tour. I’m beyond jealous of her.
She’s invited me down for the weekend in a couple of weeks, but I’m afraid if I go, I’ll like it too much. Plus, I can’t leave my mother for too long.
I’ve thought about calling up some of my old friends, ones I’ve lost touch with. I’ve thought about going on dates, putting myself out there.
But I never follow through. I’d rather stay in my safe bubble.
At least my day job has gotten better. I keep busy and they do a good job at keeping my schedule full. They haven’t hired anyone else, but I’m not complaining. I like keeping busy as it makes the time go by.
My boss has backed off me since my first day, but that doesn’t mean he stops watching me.
I try to ignore it, but it’s getting on my last fucking nerve.
I’m debating asking for my hours to be cut. My mom needs me, and she can’t afford a full-time nurse. I’ve saved enough money that could sustain me while I work less. I can always add more hours later.
The wipers don’t do much for the flurries of snow pouring from the sky, and I squint my eyes as I look for the street. I’ve come a few times already, but I always miss the damn street.
“Ah!” I see it up ahead and as I slow down to turn my tires slide and I feel the car slip. A rush of panic runs through me as I lift my foot off the gas.
A few seconds later the tires grip and the car straightens out. My heart pounds in my chest, the beats louder than drums in a marching band.
“At least I made the turn,” I mutter to myself.
A car horn sounds behind me, and I jump. Glancing in my rearview, I see a big guy in a cruiser type looking car.
Who is that?
I pull into a spot, the car pulling in beside me. A knock sounds on my window a moment later.
Damn, that was quick. Who in the hell is that?
When I look up I see the man who confronted me before. The one demanding answers in the shelter.
I turn away and gather my things without bothering to open the window. He can wait.
I open my door and step out, coming face-to-face with one gorgeous piece of man. My breath catches in my throat, and I take a step back.
“What’s wrong? Alicia, is it? Remember me? I knew I made an impression on you.” He smiles, showing me a set of pearly white teeth.
Damn, they are white. Almost blinding.
I chuckle to myself. He’s a cocky one, isn’t he?
“An impression?” I bite my lip to stop my grin.
He nods as he takes a step closer, closing the gap I put between us. His tall frame towers over me and even as the snow swirls around us and the cold bites at my cheeks I’m not cold. I’m flushed, my skin burning inside my coat, his gaze lighting my body on fire.
It throws me off and stops my giggling. I want to shrink back into my car and hide until he’s gone.
“It’s all right, Alicia. You don’t have to admit it. I wouldn’t want to admit being infatuated with a stranger, but hey, it happens. A lot of women want a piece of me.”
