“Oh, God, no,” she said. “I'm sorry. No, there's nobody back there. It's just the two of us here right now.”
I cocked my head, trying to figure out if she was putting on an act or not. I couldn't be sure, so I walked past her and headed for the back room to see for myself.
“Hey,” she said, her laughter dropping off immediately. “You can't go back there.”
“If it means protecting you, I can and will,” I called over my shoulder.
I slipped my hand under my jacket and touched the hilt of the curved silver dagger I carried. I pushed open the door and stepped quickly inside, scanning the room and finding – nothing. There was a small wooden table, chairs, a sofa against one wall, and a coffee maker on the counter. But there was no Shongtal fighter lying in wait. The most threatening thing in the room was a box full of donuts.
Astrid jumped in front of me, a look of anger upon her face as she put her hands on my chest and tried to push me backward, out of the room.
“Who do you think you are?” she snapped. “You can't just barge in here like that.”
“I – I'm sorry,” I said. “I thought there was somebody back here. That you were in danger.”
“Well, there's not,” she growled.
“Again, I apologize,” I said. “Sincerely. I was just – concerned.”
She stopped and looked at me. “Why would you be concerned?”
“Because you seemed scared or upset in some way,” I said. “I could see it in your eyes.”
She looked away and bit her bottom lip. There may not have been some murderous figure lurking in her back room, but there was something going on with her. Something had her plenty spooked. It was as plain as day to me.
“What is it, Astrid?” I asked gently. “What has you so frightened?”
She looked at me and I could see that she wanted to tell her story. To unburden herself. To have somebody listen to her. But I could also see that she was frightened to say anything at all. Maybe for fear of sounding crazy. Maybe out of fear that I wouldn't believe her. I didn't know. All I knew for certain was that Astrid was terrified. Down deep in her bones, she was petrified.
She sighed and her eyes shimmered with tears. Stepping back into the room we'd just vacated, she poured herself a cup of coffee and grabbed a chocolate sprinkled donut out of the half-empty box. She took a big bite, chewing deliberately, and washed it down with a swig of coffee.
“Sorry, I tend to stress eat sometimes,” I said. “I'll tell you, but you're going to think I'm nuts.”
I laughed softly. “I somehow doubt that.”
“Yeah, well, we'll see,” she said softly. “For the last few days, there have been these guys. They – watch me. At first, it was a homeless guy and a tall black man. But then it was a woman and a teenage boy.”
“Have they hurt you?” I asked. “Approached you in any way?”
She shook her head. “No, and that's the crazy part. They just stand there. Like statues,” she said. “They don't speak, they don't move. They just stand there and stare at me with these creepy as hell, blank expressions on their faces.”
The Shongtal. Dammit. Which meant that Astrid was indeed the key they wanted for their plan to seal the Doors. Why they hadn't snatched her yet, I didn't know. What I did know though, was that they would be coming for her. There was no question in my mind about that now. Whether their plan was actually viable or not, they wanted to use her in some way to attempt to seal the Doors.
Which meant that I needed to get her out of there. Sooner, rather than late. Somewhere safe. Somewhere I could protect her. But I also didn't want to scare her, either. I needed information. More information than I had at the moment, anyway.
I gave it a little bit of thought. If they hadn't grabbed her, it meant they weren't ready to launch this plan of theirs. Maybe they had their own doubts that it was going to work. I needed to talk to some people, but I didn't want to leave Astrid alone and unguarded. I perhaps had a little time, but with the whispers on the streets growing louder, I knew I didn't have much.
Whatever the Shongtal had in mind, they were getting closer and closer to pulling the trigger on it.
“You don't sound crazy at all, Astrid,” I said. “They sound like some disturbed people.”
“They look pretty disturbed.”
“Have you contacted the police?”
She nodded. “Yeah, they said they'd send a few more patrols around, but said that if no crime is actually being committed, there is nothing they can really do.”
“Figures,” I said and ran a hand through my hair. “Never around when you need them most. But you're okay?”
She crossed her arms over her chest and nodded. “Yeah, I'm fine,” she said. “I mean, they haven't done anything. It's just – creepy.”
I nodded. “I can imagine,” I said. “Listen, I know this is terrible timing and all, but I have an appointment I need to get to. Can I please take you to dinner later on?”
She looked at me, a soft smile touching the corners of her mouth. And when she spoke, she surprised me.
“I think I'd like that.”
I did my best to not look at her with wide eyes and a shocked expression on my face – and wasn't sure if I'd managed to pull it off or not.
“You would?”
She nodded and smiled wide. “Yeah,” she said. “Why not?”
I gave her a smile and handed her my phone. “Would you mind giving me your telephone number, Astrid?”
She took my phone and keyed in her number. “So, can you do casual?” she asked, giving me a small smile. “Or is it always suit and tie with you?”
“We can do whatever you'd like,” I said. “I can be just as casual as the next guy.”
She gave me a cryptic little smile. “Great,” she said. “Call me later.”
“I'll do that.”
I gave her another smile before turning and walking out of her shop. I took great care in scanning the street, opening up my senses to see if any of the Shongtal were lurking out there. But I saw nothing, I felt nothing. So far as I could tell, the street was clear. The question was, how long would that continue to be the case? And when would they move on Astrid?
I was going to have to protect her – without her realizing it. I got the sense that she'd be a little offended if I had a contingent of guards outside her door.
I was going to protect her though. Whether she knew – and liked it – or not.
Chapter Ten
Astrid
I waited until I saw him walk away from the front of the shop before I let out a squeal and did a silly little dance around the shop. After that, I grabbed my phone and punched in Piper's number. She answered on the second ring.
“Astrid, is everything okay?” she sounded panicked.
“I'm fine,” I said. “Why wouldn't I be?”
“Because you like never call me.”
I looked at the phone for a moment before putting it back to my ear. “That's not true.”
“That's so true.”
I shook my head, grinning. “You're never going to believe who just came in here.”
“The delivery guy from the thrift store you usually shop for clothes at?”
I laughed. “You're funny,” I said. “Now, shut up and remove that stick from your ass.”
Piper was laughing along with me. “I have to get to a meeting in a couple of minutes so tell me quick.”
“Quint,” I said. “He apparently looked up the shop and showed up here.”
“Please tell me you did him on the counter right then and there,” Piper said. “Please tell me that.”
“You're such a whore,” I laughed. “No. But I did accept his invitation to dinner.”
She whistled low. “Wow, look at my girl go,” she said. “What got into you?”
I shook my head. “I really don't know,” I said. “But there's just this weird – connection – between us. I know he feels it. And I've felt it since the night we met him.”
“That connection is actually your terribly underused lady-bits screaming out for attention.”
“Oh my, God,” I said. “Is everything about sex with you?”
“Well – yeah,” she said. “Nothing wrong with enjoying the pleasures of the flesh.”
“And there's also nothing wrong with getting to know somebody before you start banging them.”
“Yeah, I suppose,” she said. “If you're into that sort of thing. Personally, I find it's easier to not even ask them their name. Makes it easier to tell them to get out in the morning.”
I laughed. “I love you, Pip,” I said. “Even if you are the world's biggest turbo-slut.”
“Well, we're all good at something,” she said. “So, where is he taking you? Going back to Heat? Or maybe some other chic little spot?”
“Actually, no,” I said. “I'm thinking about making him take me to Pete's.”
There was a pause on the line. “You're kidding, right?”
“Why would I be kidding?”
“Because somebody like Quint is upscale and refined, Astrid,” she said. “He's used to the finer things.”
“True,” I said. “But I'm not one of the finer things. I'm not so upscale and refined. If he wants to date me, he's going to have to learn how to be a common man too. If he can deal with a dressed down, casual meal at someplace like Pete's, maybe he can handle me too.”
She paused for a long moment, as if weighing my words. “Maybe you're right,” she said. “I didn't look at it that way before. But you have a really good point.”
“Of course I do,” I said.
“I'm proud of you, Astrid,” she said.
I giggled. “Why would you be proud of me?”
“Because what you did today is a big step. It's huge,” she said. “Two weeks ago, if Quint had walked into your shop, you would have run out the back door. But now? Now, you not only accepted his invitation, you dictated the terms of the date. That's huge, Astrid. That's why I'm proud of you. Listen, I have to scoot. But you and I are going to be talking more about this later. Love you.”
“Love you too,” I said.
I disconnected the call and leaned back against the counter, thinking about what she'd said. I guessed that I hadn't really thought about it before, but she was right. I had no idea where that burst of confidence had come from. From the moment I'd met Quint, he'd intimidated me. A few days ago, I probably would have run at the sight of his shadow.
But today? Today, I'd agreed to a date and told him exactly what that date was going to be. I had no idea where that surge of backbone had come from. All I knew was that when I was standing there next to him, I felt something electric coursing through my body. It was like a river of electricity in my veins. I half expected to see lightning bolts shooting out of my eyes and fingertips.
Whatever it was though, it had given me a boost of confidence. The boost I needed, apparently. I didn't know where it had come from, but I liked it. I liked it a lot.
I looked at my watch and saw that it was just after two in the afternoon. I still had a little time to kill, since I wasn't closing up shop until five. So, I contented myself with dusting shelves, making sure everything was stocked, and helping my customers as they filtered in.
But the entire time, I kept my eye on the front windows, looking for the slack, blank faces of those people who'd been watching me. I knew they were out there. I could feel them somehow. I just didn't know where. What worried me most though, was the idea that at some point, they were going to stop watching and do something to me. What that was, I had no idea, but it chilled me to the bone nonetheless.
I was going to have to be vigilant and arm myself with something – mace, a club, something.
But with the clock finally striking five, I closed my shop and dashed home to get ready for my date with Quint.
Chapter Eleven
Quint
“The food smells wonderful,” I said.
“Maybe he's not as fancy and refined as Maurizio,” she replied, “but Pete is a wizard in his own right.”
We sat at a table outside of a small deli down the street from her bookstore. It was a charming little place I could tell had been there for a while. It just had that lived-in look to it that was entirely delightful. I'd meant it when I'd said it – the sauces inside smelled amazing. My mouth was watering, waiting to get my hands on that meatball sub she'd been raving about.
“Maybe I'm not as fancy and refined as you think I am,” I said.
She looked at me and smirked. “You look like a walking billboard for fancy and refined,” I said. “You just exude class and style.”
I grinned at her. “Well, I appreciate that, but I'm a lot more down to earth than you think,” I said. “I was a soldier for a long time. I've been down in the dirt. Lived there for a while. We didn't exactly have the menu we do at Heat out in the field.”
“I didn't know that,” she said. “Wow. To go from soldier to owner of the hottest place in LA? That's pretty impressive.”
I shrugged. “Honestly, I've been fortunate.”
“I think there's more to it than that.”
“I don't,” I said. “Not really. But fads come and go. Hotspots rise and then they fall. The celebrities and LA's movers and shakers will eventually get tired of Heat and find someplace new to be seen. I hope it's not for a while yet, but that's the fickle nature of this town.”
“You don't sound all that sad about that.”
I shrugged. “I love the restaurant business,” I said. “I really do. But I've also got other interests that keep me busy.”
She looked at me and smiled. “Such as?”
Killing demons being chief among them – not that I could tell her that. “Reading,” I said. “I told you that I've got a love and passion for the written word.”
She nodded and smiled at me. There was a calm about her that I hadn't sensed before. She was a lot more easy going and free than she had been the last couple of times we'd met. I wasn't sure what it was, but there seemed to be a boost in her confidence or something. She didn't look like a scared little rabbit – she looked like somebody in complete control of herself. I wasn't sure where it had come from, but I liked seeing that change in her.
A large man with salt and pepper colored hair and an ample midsection stepped out of the deli carrying a tray with our food – and a pair of candles. He set the candles down on the table and I watched as Astrid's face grew red.
“What are you doing, Pete?” she asked.
“Setting a romantic table, of course,” he grinned and winked at her. “And maybe if you'd told me you were bringing a date in, I could have made it a little more special.”
“Being here is special enough,” Astrid said, giving him a fond smile.
After setting the candles out, he set our plates of food down. I looked at the sub and savored the aroma of it.
“Astrid raved to me about this sub,” I said. “I can't wait to try it.”
“Well, I hope you enjoy it,” he replied.
Pete hustled away, giving us a little bit of privacy. Astrid was watching me, waiting for me to take a bite of the sub. I grinned at her and picked it up, taking a big bite. I chewed and felt flavor exploding in my mouth. It honestly was one of the best things I'd ever tasted.
“That is incredible,” I said, staring at the sandwich. “Seriously incredible. I've never had a sauce better than that.”
Astrid was positively beaming. “Pete said it's his mom's recipe.”
“Yeah well, his mother is a genius. Or an artist,” I said. “Maybe both.”
“He'll be happy to hear that.”
We chatted over dinner, occupying Pete's table for a good couple of hours. I was enjoying getting to know Astrid. I felt like she was opening up to me a little more than she had previously and was letting me see behind that curtain to who she really was. She was a complicated woman – but one with so many incredible layers and depth to her.
It was eventu
ally time to go though. I went inside to pay our bill and to gush to Pete about how incredible his sauce was. I was having an idea about finding a way to get him to sell batches to me so I could have Maurizio incorporate it into some of our dishes, but I didn't have anything concrete just yet. I'd get back to him when I did.
In the meantime, it was time to bring my evening with Astrid to an end – the first of what I hoped would be many more evenings spent in her company.
“May I walk you home?” I asked, offering my hand to her when I stepped back out to the table.
“That would be lovely,” she replied, taking my hand as she got to her feet. “Thank you.”
When our skin touched, my eyes widened slightly as I felt like I'd touched a live wire. There was an electricity running through her that was palpable. I wasn't sure if she was even aware of it, but I was finally beginning to understand her. That electricity in her veins was familiar to me. I'd felt it before. And I had to wonder if maybe, something that had been dormant within her had been awakened – perhaps by the harassment from the Shongtal – and was the fuel for this confidence I was seeing in her.
I cleared my throat. “After you.”
We walked side-by-side, talking as we walked along like any other couple out on the street. That sense of normalcy was – nice. Something I didn't get to experience very often in my life.
“I usually cut through this park,” she said, pointing to a darkened path that led through a small park.
Trees lined the path, and high, dense foliage surrounded the trees. We passed a playground and some benches. It wasn't exceptionally well lit, but with my heightened senses I could see well enough. Extending my senses out, I felt them before I saw them. The Shongtal were out there. Waiting.
I felt a knot in my stomach and a stab of fear in my heart as I scanned the darkness, looking for them. We were vulnerable and they knew it. I was going to have a harder time fighting them if I was worried about looking after Astrid at the same time.
“Shit,” I growled.
She looked at me, alarmed. “What is it?”
“Trouble.”
On the path before us stepped a trio of Shongtal fighters. Looking back over my shoulder, I saw three more.
“Only six of you?” I called. “I'm insulted.”
Rocor (Dragons of Kratak Book 5) Page 116