Being Nobody (The Witness Series #1)

by D'Agostino, Heather

  “Not much,” Brian stuffed his hands in his leather coat pockets. “What’s up, Max?”

  “George says he needs to see you…something about a special project,” Max barked out the request as if it was an order, and I noticed a complete change come over Brian.

  “Well, I’m fucking busy right now. Can it wait?” Brian shifted slightly and Max, along with the other two men, began leering at me.

  “What do we have here,” the shortest of three sneered.

  “Hands off, Gage, she’s mine,” Brian’s body began to wind incredibly tighter as he stepped to block me farther from view.

  “Easy there, buddy. We just want a turn when you’re done,” Max chuckled. “Can we at least see what she looks like?”

  “No,” Brian growled and pushed me toward his bike.

  As I watched the exchange happen between these men, the knot that had been forming in my stomach began to grow. Who was he and how did he know these men?

  “You better not let George see her. He’ll want a turn, and he won’t be willing to wait,” Max warned.

  When Max climbed on his bike, and went to turn the throttle I noticed something that slowly made my blood run cold. There, on his left wrist, right where his watch would cover, was a small tattoo of a skull with a single red rose entwined around it. It was the same tattoo that my father had described in court when he sent the first man of the three man team that robbed the convenience store to prison.

  I tried to calm myself by looking at anything other than the exchange that was happening in front me. As my mind reeled at the possibilities of what might happen to me that night, anger and fear raced through me. Seeing Brian talk to these guys like they were friends proved to me that he was nothing like Dev. Dev would have never gotten into something like this. Dev was a good guy, and Brian and these other men were not. I needed to stay away from all of them. I needed to get Brian to take me home, and then I needed to cut ties with him. He was the enemy. He didn’t know who I was, but when he figured it out, he’d turn me over to them and they would end my life. Brian was the one person I needed to stay away from.

  When I finally came out of my thoughts and looked around, I noticed that the three men were gone. Brian was looking at me like he’d just asked me something and was waiting on me to answer.

  “Huh?” I flipped up the visor.

  “Sorry about that. They can be real dickheads. I’m real sorry, but I gotta take you home now,” he huffed as he strapped his helmet on.

  “You can just take me back to the bar,” I hoped he would agree. After what I just witnessed, I didn’t want him to know where I lived. Not knowing, would give me some time to figure out what I was going to do.

  “Nonsense, I don’t mind,” he narrowed his eyes.

  When I saw he wasn’t giving up I rambled off an address. Was it my address? No, it was a random one. I figured after he disappeared, I’d call a cab to take me home. I’d learned over the years how to think on my feet, and I could tell that I was going to be using all the skills I’d been taught tonight.

  ooooooooo

  When Brian pulled up in front of the building that I’d given him directions to, he left the bike running but removed his helmet. “I’m sorry about this,” he muttered. “I’ll make it up to you next time.” He shifted on the bike, and his sleeve rode up. The watch that had adorned his wrist at the bar had been removed; the skull tat that it had been covering was now on full display.

  When he noticed me gawking at it, he tugged at his jacket to cover it. “Sorry,” he muttered. “I’m supposed to keep it covered, but the damn thing itches now that it’s healing.”

  “Something recent?” I chewed my lip as I waited for him to answer.

  “You could say that. New job requirement,” he mumbled so quietly I almost missed it. “Listen…I really gotta take care of something, but I do want to see you again. Can I have your number?”

  “No,” I slowly shook my head.

  “Is it about what you just saw? I won’t let them near you. They’re full of shit anyway,” he sighed. “Please?”

  “I work all day tomorrow,” I bit my lip. “Come talk to me, then.” I turned and began walking up the steps to the building I was in front of as I heard him rev the engine. I wanted him to think I lived there, so I needed to act the part until he was out of sight. Once he disappeared around the corner, I stepped back down on the curb, and hailed a cab.

  On the ride home, I let the evening replay in my mind. I was scared shitless, but I’d walked into the situation and made it back out. Brian was a connection to the men my family was trying to stop, and I’d spent the entire day with him. He didn’t know that his boss had been trying to kill me for most of my life. I know he would have taken me with him tonight if he had. What if Brian was my ticket in? What if he was a way for me to take these guys down? Could I use him to gather information? Could I do what the feds had failed to do for all these years? The closer I got to my apartment, the more my courage grew. If I could hold it together, I could bring this crime ring down. It was probably stupid and definitely dangerous, but I had to try. I was never going to get my life back if I didn’t.

  Tomorrow would be a new day. I would go to work and slowly build a relationship with Brian. Over time, I would convince him to let me meet George, and maybe even gain my freedom back at the end of all this. Tomorrow was definitely a new beginning.

  Chapter 5

  When morning came the next day, so did regret for the night before. I knew when I’d done it that it was a bad idea. After I’d made the decision to take my life back, I’d had the cab drop me off at the bar instead of my apartment. Tori was there along with Tiff, and when they’d shoved a shot in my direction I hadn’t thought anything of it. Well, today was another story. My head felt like it was going to explode, and moving suddenly became a chore. I wasn’t sure how I was going to survive working a double today. Then there was Brian, he was supposed to come in and hang out with me today. I knew that I needed to build a closer relationship with him if I wanted to get anywhere with my plan. I needed him to trust me, and tell me about his boss and colleagues. He would never do that if I didn’t get close to him. It helped that I was attracted to him, but I still wasn’t sure how I’d ever walk away after I did this. I knew once he found out I was using him, he’d never forgive me.

  I groaned as I slapped at my alarm clock, trying to silence the blaring, while keeping my eyes closed. If I’d been like the other employees at the bar, I’d call in sick today, but I wasn’t and Tori knew it. When my hand finally connected with the alarm clock, I sighed. Silence filled the room, and I was more than tempted to roll over and let myself fall back into the deep sleep I’d been awakened from. As soon as that thought settled in my brain, I forced myself to open my eyes. Thoughts of Brian and what I needed to do today filled my conscience. I needed to begin to build some sort of relationship. I needed to get him to tell me about the tattoo and what it meant. I needed to pretend that I didn’t know what he was a part of. I needed to do all of this while still keeping who I was hidden from him.

  “Shit!” I hissed as I rubbed my eyes and pinched the bridge of my nose. It was too much to think about especially with my alcohol soaked brain. I may have slept off last night’s drunkenness, but I was in no shape for deep thinking. I rolled to the side and let my feet touch the floor, but before I could plan my morning out, my stomach began to roll. “Oh god,” I groaned as I half crawled, half walked to the bathroom. As soon as my knees hit the floor, last night’s mistake began ruining my morning. It was going to be a hellacious day. With the way it started, I wasn’t even sure if I wanted to do anything other than go back to sleep and try again the next day.

  ooooooooo

  “You look like death,” Tori called as I walked into the bar later that morning.

  “Thanks,” I rolled my eyes as I shuffled to the bar pass and made my way behind the bar. I tossed my things underneath, and grabbed a towel to tuck into my waistband. “This,” I p
ointed to my face, “is all your fault.”

  “My fault?” She laughed just as Tiff came through the door looking just as bad as I did.

  “Yeah, your fault,” Tiff grumbled. “I’m never drinking with you two bitches again. My liver can’t take it.”

  “Not so loud,” I cringed as I looked over at Tiff. “We should boycott today.”

  “I’m in,” Tiff shrugged and then glanced over to where Tori was counting the register drawer.

  “You walk out on me, you will not set foot in here again,” she smiled, but we knew she meant business. “I’m not the one who was pouring drinks down your throat all night. You did that all on your own,” she narrowed her eyes at us before slamming the drawer shut, grabbing her keys, and unlocking the front door. “We’re open,” she waved at us. “Act busy. I’ll be in my office.”

  We both lifted our hands and saluted her with a middle finger as she disappeared into the back room.

  “Remind me to never listen to you again when it comes to Tequila,” I grumbled as I began setting up the glassware for the day.

  “Whose idea what it to play Quarters anyway?” Tiff giggled. “I don’t remember forcing you into anything.”

  “Whatever,” I blew out a breath as I pulled out the inventory clipboard. We never had much of a lunch crowd so I might as well get some inventory done. It would mean that I didn’t have to come in early next Monday.

  “So what’s up with you and The Badass?” Tiff nudged me in the side just as I was leaning over to count the bottles under the counter.

  “Nothing, why?” I glanced up at her before quickly going back to what I was doing.

  “Well,” she pushed her bangs out of her face, “I’ve never seen a guy stare so much at someone and not act on it.”

  The clipboard fell from my hand as the words sank in. “What do mean by that?” I swallowed.

  “I mean,” she grabbed my elbow and tugged, hauling me to my feet before pointing out the large picture window at the front of the bar. “He’s been over there, propped against his bike, since I got here this morning.”

  “What?” I whispered as I tried to get a better look at Brian.

  “What’d you say to him to scare him off?” She giggled. “He doesn’t seem like the type to give up that easily.”

  “I didn’t say anything,” I muttered. “Maybe he’s just not interested anymore.” I knew that was a lie. I wasn’t sure what Brian’s game was. Did he figure out who I was? Was he trying to decide whether he should turn me over to George? Why was he over there, and not sitting at the bar getting to know me like he said he wanted?

  “He had some buddies with him this morning, but they left when I waved at him. I think I might have broken something up. He could be dangerous, Mal.”

  “I don’t know about that. I spent the entire day with him yesterday, and I’m fine,” I teased. If she only knew how right she was. Brian was dangerous and he seemed to be doing work right across the street from my place of business. I didn’t know what he was getting at by being so close, but I intended to find out. “I’ll be right back,” I growled as I rounded the bar and tossed my cloth on top of it.

  “Mallory, what are you doing?” Tiff called after me.

  “I’m just stepping outside. I’m fine, trust me,” I called over my shoulder as I made my way to the front door. Just as I was pushing it open, a black town car pulled up in front of Brian. A man in a dark suit and dark glasses climbed out of the back. He was flanked by two other men dressed the same way. The three men approached Brian and did some fancy hand shake before they began talking. I couldn’t make out what was said being so far away, but I could tell it was an exchange of some kind. I watched as one of the men handed a white envelope to Brian. He nodded, stuffed it inside his leather jacket, and then handed a small brown paper bag to the men. One of the men unrolled the top of the bag, glanced inside, and nodded before all three turned to climb into the car. When the car pulled away, Brian looked up and our eyes connected. What I saw made my blood run cold. Gone were the kind eyes I’d stared into the day before. Gone was the soft smile that had graced his beautiful lips. Now, what was once carefree was replaced with indifference and coldness.

  He stuffed his hands in his pockets as he stared at me, letting his eyes bore deep into mine. He shrugged like it was common what he was doing…an exchange of some sort…illegal, I’m sure. I tossed my hands out to the side as if silently asking what the hell he was doing. His head slowly shook and then tipped to the side. I directed my gaze in the direction he’d indicated only to find another group of men farther down the street. Some of them were from the group of three I’d seen yesterday. They were watching Brian, and it all made sense now. He was being tested. Whatever his role in this was, it was small and near the bottom. He didn’t have the connections that I’d thought he had, and this exchange was some sort of honor test.

  I nodded my head at him slowly as I felt my anger subside. I watched for a moment longer as the coldness in his eyes left for moment and a plea for understanding emerged. He wanted me know that he was trying to protect me in some weird way, and being nearby was the best he could do. I turned and made my way into the bar, just as I heard a roar of motorcycle engines come to life. I guessed it was the observers down the street. Brian had passed whatever test they were giving him, so their presence was no longer needed.

  “What was that all about?” Tiff muttered when I took my place behind the bar once again.

  “I don’t know…and I’m not sure I want to find out,” I picked up the clip board once again.

  “Well,” she gasped, “I think you’re getting ready to find out.”

  “Huh?” I gave her a side glance as I counted vodka bottles.

  “He’s coming over here,” she hissed.

  “Great,” I groaned. Who knew what he was going to tell me. The look he’d given me outside was a warning…a warning to stay away. Now he was coming here. What did he want from me?

  ooooooooo

  “Hey,” Brian climbed onto a bar stool not far from where I was standing.

  “Hey,” I didn’t look up as I continued to count liquor bottles. I turned my back to him as I scanned the shelf behind me.

  “Are we going to talk about what you just saw?” I could hear him sigh as I counted.

  “Do you want to?” I snapped.

  “I can’t,” he muttered. “I can’t tell you what that was…it’s business,” he grumbled.

  “So are you in, like, the mob or something?” I turned and crossed my arms over my chest. I knew I was hitting pretty close to home, but he didn’t know who I was. He thought I was just some girl he’d met. He didn’t know that I knew what he was involved in. I knew the connections he was trying to make. I knew what type of ‘business’ he was into.

  “If I was, I couldn’t tell you,” he tipped his head back to stare at the ceiling and released a breath.

  “Whatever,” I rolled my eyes. “I don’t want to be with someone who’s into that stuff. I want normal.”

  “I can do normal,” Brian gave me a half smile.

  “Can you tell me what that was?” I pointed out on the street.

  “No,” he shook his head. “It’s work.”

  “Right…work,” I turned back around to the bottles I’d been counting and tried to ignore the feeling that was building inside me. “What if I was your girlfriend? Could you tell me then?” I spun and pointed the pen I was holding at him.

  “What?” His mouth opened and closed a few times as he gawked at me.

  “You won’t tell me where you live, or your last name, or anything about you,” he narrowed his eyes on me. “Yeah…I went back to your apartment last night,” he held his fingers up and quoted himself. “You don’t live there,” he narrowed his eyes on me. “You want me to trust you, but you don’t trust me.”

  “I don’t trust anyone,” I shrugged. “You said yesterday that you want me…is that still true?”

  Brian swallowed, “Yes.”
/>
  “So if I let you fuck me…would you tell me then…about all that?” I tossed the clip board down and waited for an answer.

  “I don’t want you like that. I want you to want to be with me…not some kind of weird twisted trade off. I want you to want to be with me…not the connections I have. What happened to you to make you this way? Sex should be about feelings, not an exchange for goods or information. How did you get so jaded? Who made you this way?” He narrowed his eyes on me as he stared, unblinking, at me while the questions tumbled from his mouth.

  I could sense a feeling of goodness in him. It was buried below this front he was putting on, but it was there. Just like me, he hadn’t always been this way. He was hiding something, something deep within him. Something that was trying to reach out to me, but he was squashing it before it had a chance.

  “Well,” I scowled, “at the moment, that’s the only way you’re getting me. I have to close up tonight. I’ll be here until around three. I’ll leave the back door unlocked. Come back and show me you really want me, and maybe then, I’ll trust you.” I flipped my hand in the air as I walked away. I needed to get out of his line of sight. I was pissing him off, and I knew that it was only a matter of minutes before the façade he was trying so hard to keep in place would begin to crack. If he still wanted me like he did yesterday, he’d be back. He’d be back, and that pool table across the room that I’d been fantasizing about him taking me on would become a reality tonight.

  Chapter 6

  “You ok?” Tiff nudged me in the side as I fumbled, once again, with another liquor bottle. “You usually don’t drop ‘em like this.”

  “I’m fine,” I grumbled. I was not having a good night. After Brian had left earlier that day, I’d been a basket case. I wanted so many things out of life, and knowing what he was, it felt like I had them in reach for the first time in my life, but…this wasn’t me. I wasn’t the type to jump into bed in exchange for something I wanted. Brian had called me out and I’d brushed him aside. Did I want him to come back tonight? Sure. I mean he’s hot. He’s always worn jeans and a long sleeve tee when I’ve seen him, but judging by the ripples in his clothes, I’d say he was hiding a body that was drool worthy. I’m sure he worked out, and I can’t say that I didn’t want to help him sometime. “I’m just a little nervous, I guess,” I glanced over where Tiff was mixing something for a customer and shrugged.