I was so lost in my own head that I didn’t notice him at first, but once I closed my car door, I saw him. About a hundred feet away was the same figure from the night before. He was in jeans and straddling the same bike. A chill rushed through me as I quickly cranked my car. He was wearing a helmet so I couldn’t see his face, but his posture didn’t sit well with me. His bike roared to life as he twisted the clutch and took off, causing a cloud of smoke to rise in his wake.
“What the hell,” I muttered as I put the car in gear and began driving toward the bar. This was not a coincidence. Whoever this was, he was following me. This didn’t have anything to do with the bar. It was all me. Now that I didn’t have Mara with me, anger had replaced the fear. I had grown up dealing with situations like this. This guy, whoever he was, was going to stop.
I pressed Kevin’s number on my cell, put the phone on speaker, and tossed it in the seat beside me before heading to work.
“Hello? Sam?” his voice was cautious, I’m guessing, because our talk the night before.
“He’s here,” I growled. “This wasn’t about the bar. He was fucking here, Kevin… at my condo.”
“I’m on it,” I could hear shuffling in the background as he put the phone down. “I’m on my way. Where are you?”
“In the car. I’m going to work,” I snapped back. “Whoever this guy is… he’s not stopping me. I’m not ever going back a life lived in hiding; do you hear me?”
“Sam,” Kevin sighed, and I heard keys jingling. “Do you really think taking this person on is the right thing to do? You have Mara to think about.”
“I’m well aware of the way things are,” I pounded my fist on the steering wheel. “I said I’m not going back, and I’m not. Mara will not grow up like I did.”
“I’m in my car now. I’ll see you at the bar. Meet me around back,” Kevin clicked off the line and my car went silent.
ooooooooo
When I arrived at work, Chris was already waiting for me. He’d volunteered to help check everything before we opened at four. Tiff was coming back to work tonight, but I wasn’t expecting her until around three. The rest of my staff wasn’t due in until three. Kevin was sitting in his car in a spot near the edge of the rear lot. This was the only guaranteed parking that the bar had. If you parked out front, it was on the street.
“Hey,” Kevin lifted his hand in a wave. “Wanna talk in my car?”
“Can we go in? I’ve got some last minute things I want to check on before opening tonight,” I motioned to the rear door.
“You can’t be serious?” Kevin shook his head at me. “You’ve got someone following you, and you still plan to open?”
“I’m not hiding anymore. I want protection, not orders,” I glared at him.
Kevin shook his head, “You are going to be the end of me. Why are you so stubborn?”
I shrugged, “Not sure. Maybe it’s because of the way I grew up. I’ve never had a choice. Now I do.”
“Fine,” he sighed as he motioned for me to precede him.
Once inside, he began searching the place. I’m not sure what he thought he would find. Maybe it was just something that was a habit, and he didn’t even know he was doing it. Satisfied that the place was secure, we sat in the corner booth I’d left covered in papers the night before. We talked for a while about all sorts of things. Kevin asked for a list of all the places I’d been over the last few weeks. He said that maybe this person was someone that I’d met who had formed an unhealthy attachment. “A stalker?” I rolled my eyes. Great, what else was going to crash into my life? Morning had come and gone, and as we talked, I soon began to relax.
“I’m going for a smoke break,” Chris had waved at me as he disappeared through the kitchen.
I waved and then turned back to Kevin. I’m not sure what caused me to glance out the window, but when I did my mouth froze. He was there again. Across the street. “Kevin,” I reached out and clamped my fingers over his forearm. I pointed at the window as I squeezed him to get his attention. “That’s him!” I gasped.
Before I could stop him, Kevin stood and pointed a stern finger at me, “Stay put!” I nodded in acceptance and watched as he strode toward the door. He pushed it open and began walking across the street where the figure stood beside his bike. Kevin’s hand was resting on his hip as he readied himself to draw his weapon. His shoulders were tense. I’d only seen him like this a few times.
When he reached the figure across the street, I saw him relax. His hand dropped away as he paused before reaching out the shake the man’s hand. Their posture was friendly, not at all what I expected it to be. What the hell was going on? Kevin pointed at the bar as he talked to the man, before he turned back in my direction.
As Kevin made his way back to me, the guy on the bike shifted. He climbed on, cranked the engine, and shifted to face me more directly. It was as if he could see me staring through the glass. As he lifted his foot to the foot peg, his jacket fell open slightly, and I saw it…a badge. Right there, gleaming in the sunlight as it hung around his neck. He was a cop!
Chapter 5
As I stood motionless and watched the bike disappear down the street, Kevin came striding back over to the bar. He paused at the door, and his shoulders shook like he was laughing. Anger boiled in the pit of my stomach; nothing about this was funny.
“Well?” my voice was snarky but I couldn’t help it. I was mad.
“He thought you were someone else. He said as soon as he saw the kid, he knew you weren’t but his curiosity got the best of him,” Kevin shrugged.
“And?” I rolled my eyes.
“And nothing. He won’t bother you anymore and he apologizes.” He shook his head as he began walking toward the back door. “Hey, Sam?” He paused before turning to face me.
“Yeah?” I stood and crossed my arms over my chest.
“I’m sorry that this is so hard. I am. I know that you had a rough childhood, and you don’t want that for Mara. I want you to know that I’m proud of what you’re doing here. I’ll always help you… know that,” he blew out a breath. “Promise me that you’ll come to me the next time. Don’t wait until you’re scared. I’m here. I’ll always come.”
“Thanks, Kevin,” I began walking across the room, and when I reached him I threw my arms around his neck. As I hugged him, I mumbled, “You’re always there for me.”
“It’s not just a job anymore. I care about you like you’re my own. I couldn’t live with myself if something ever happened to you.” He gave me a quick squeeze before stepping back. “I’m headed home. Call me if you need anything,” he pointed at me like he was scolding me, but the smirk that slipped into place told me otherwise.
“I will and thanks again,” I grinned.
“No problem. Good luck tonight,” he turned and disappeared through the door.
I stood there looking around and taking everything in. I’d finally done it. I’d opened this place back up. I was a business owner, and I was going to be successful. I had to be, for Mara. We were going to thrive here. Chicago was full of possibilities, and I was more than ready to explore them.
ooooooooo
Opening night was a great success. Other than a few minor glitches, everyone seemed to fall into a rhythm. We worked like a well-oiled machine. Chris was a natural behind the bar, and as much as I enjoyed being able to wander around and socialize with customers, I found myself behind the bar most of the night. It was where I felt most at home, and the place was running smoothly enough that I didn’t seem to be needed anywhere else.
We’d been open a week now. Kevin had stopped in once to say hi. He sat at the bar for a short time and then left. I wondered what he did when he was off duty. I didn’t know much about him other than his career, and he was Dev’s uncle. I felt bad. Did Kevin have a family? I didn’t think so. If he did, they were very understanding.
Tiff and I had been running the bar the last few days. Chris had the night off, and as I surveyed the place, I couldn’t
help but smile. We were raking in the dough tonight, and the band I’d booked had brought a huge crowd.
“This is awesome!” Tiff screamed over the music. “They just keep coming and coming.”
“I know, right? We’re going be here late tonight,” I laughed as I poured another drink. The doorman I’d hire was doing a great job managing the crowd. It was nice to be able to relax. I’d been worried, when I took over as owner, that I’d be spreading myself too thin. Tori was always a mess on busy nights. I don’t think it was us that caused it either. I think she just lacked managerial skills. I hadn’t done anything to learn them, but Mason, my doorman, seemed to think I was a natural.
“Wanna hang out after work? It’s gonna take me hours to come down from this?” Tiff yelled as she slammed the cash register drawer shut.
“I guess. My mom has Mara for the weekend. They’re having a camp-out in the living room,” I laughed as I turned to get the next order.
“A camp-out?” Tiff’s brow creased.
“Yeah… you know? They set up a tent inside. Mara wanted to go camping and I just don’t have the time right now. Mom offered to take her on a camping trip this weekend at her apartment,” I shrugged.
“Cool,” Tiff tossed her head back in amusement.
I watched her as she worked with ease down at the far end of bar. I had worried when we first talked about her working here that it would be awkward, but it wasn’t. Tiff and I had always meshed well, and tonight was proof. She manned one end, and I the other. We didn’t get in each other’s way and kept the flow of customers constantly moving.
“Can I get some service,” a deep voice resonated from my left.
“Just a minute,” I held up a finger as I continued to count change. When I turned to face the direction of the voice, my entire world froze. It was him, the guy who’d been following me. “What do you want?” I crossed my arms over my chest as I approached him.
“Whoa!” He held up his hands. “I just want a beer. What’s with the hostility?”
“You scared the shit outta me for days and then disappeared. Now you walk in here like it’s nothing. Who are you, and what the hell do you want with me?” I growled.
“Slow down,” he sighed and rubbed a hand down his face.
Now that I had the chance to look at him, I mean really look, I knew that he seemed familiar. I didn’t know why, but I could swear I knew him. His frame was tall and lean. His T-shirt hugged his shoulders just enough to show off the muscles beneath it. His brown hair was cropped fairly short, and when he stared at me, his blue eyes sparkled with mischief.
“A beer would be nice,” he grinned as he held out a five pinching it between his thumb and index finger.
I turned quickly, grabbed the beer, and after opening it, I slid it toward him, “Two fifty,” I called.
“You don’t remember me, do you?” He smirked when I snatched the money from his grasp.
“Should I?” I quipped. I’d seen so many people come in this place over the last two weeks that I couldn’t remember where I should know this guy from.
“We met briefly a long time ago, maybe four years, I think?” He scratched at his jaw as he stared at me.
“I don’t know any cops,” I grumbled.
“Yeah, you do,” he laughed. “You know me,” he shrugged as he lifted the bottle to his lips and tipped his head back.
“No,” I shook my head and rolled my eyes, “I don’t.”
“Maybe this will help,” he motioned for me to move closer, and as soon as I stopped in front of him, he grabbed my arm.
“Hey!” I tried to back away from him, but his grip was firm. He didn’t have the menacing look that I would have expected, but more of a playful one.
“Relax. I want to show you something,” he released me and stretched his arm out on the bar, palm up. “See that,” he pointed to his wrist. “Know who I am now?”
“Shit!” I hissed. He was pointing to a tattoo, the same tattoo that Dev had gotten back when I knew him as Brian. “You’re a cop!”
“Un huh,” he nodded as he moved his arm from its resting place. He hunched himself back over the bar and began twirling his bottle with his fingers.
“But I thought,” I shook my head, and glanced around. The crowd that had been present had dwindled to a small group.
“He said that he told you about me,” the guy mumbled, and I started wracking my brain to figure how I knew him.
“Wait! Max?” I leaned in and whispered as I watched him tense. “Is that how I know you? Is that who you are?”
“I was,” he huffed. “Not anymore.”
“Ok,” I turned my back on him as I tried to put the pieces together. “He told me that you were undercover, too, but he never told me your name. You look nothing Max did. Max had longer hair, and you…”
“I changed my appearance for the job,” he muttered. “Sometimes we have to be somebody that we don’t like very much.”
“So why have you been following me?” I narrowed my eyes on him.
“I wasn’t sure it was you. When I figured out that it was, I wanted to tell you how sorry I was. I know I skeeved you out back then. I had to say some pretty bad stuff to you,” he sipped his beer, and looked away briefly. “He loves you, you know?”
“Dev?” My voice trembled just mentioning him.
“Mmm… he didn’t want to leave you, but duty called,” he sighed.
“Can I ask you something?” I bit my lip as I watched him nod. “What’s your name?”
He smirked as he looked at me, “Jase. Detective Jase Stevenson.”
“Nice to meet you, I’m Sam,” I held out my hand. “I like this better than Max,” I giggled. “This version is nicer.”
“Go ahead,” he looked away and sighed.
“Excuse me?” I wiped my hands on my jeans as I studied him. He seemed almost broken as he sat there.
“Ask me where he is; I know you want to,” he mumbled.
“Why?” I placed my arms on the bar and leaned in closer. “You can’t tell me, can you?”
“No, I can’t. He’s on the job. He has been for the last year. We don’t get to talk much unless it’s the middle of the night, or he’s checking in.”
“Wait, what?” I shook my head.
“We’re partners. Didn’t you know that?” Jase sighed. “Of course, you didn’t. Why would he tell you?”
“Can you get a message to him? Tell him I’m here? Please?” I leaned closer and begged.
“I can try. I can’t promise you anything, though, know that,” he dropped his head, and stared at his lap. “He’ll come back when he can.” Jase finished the beer before standing. He took a few steps away before glancing back at me. “She’s his, isn’t she. She looks just like him.”
I sucked my lower lip into my mouth as I slowly nodded. “Don’t tell him. Please, don’t tell him,” I whispered.
“I won’t,” Jase murmured. “See ya around, Sam,” he waved as he headed for the door.
“Yeah, see ya,” I murmured as I watched him shuffle through the door, and out onto the street. I watched him as he made his way across the street. He paused, and stared back as if he could see me through the glass before shoving his helmet on, and cranking the bike. It roared to life, and the tires squealed as he peeled out of his parking space. He’d looked sad sitting at the bar alone, and I secretly wondered if he missed Dev, too.
Chapter 6
Over the next the several weeks, Jase became a fixture in the bar. He never mentioned Dev again, and I refused to bring it up. I didn’t want him to feel awkward when he was around me, so most of time we acted like complete strangers. Tiff waited on him more than I did, and sometimes I was slightly jealous of their budding friendship.
“He’s a nice guy, you know?” Tiff nudged me in the side with her elbow.
“Who?” I mumbled as I continued to stare at my laptop screen. I was currently sitting at a corner table, trying to work on payroll. We weren’t supposed to open for a
nother hour, but Tiff was already set up and Chris wasn’t far behind.
“Duh,” she rolled her eyes. “Jase. He feels bad about the way you two met,” she slid onto the chair across from me.
“By all means,” I shook my head as I watched her get comfortable.
“Thanks,” she giggled. “Anyway,” she crossed her arms and leaned back. “I think you two should talk. I think it’d be good to have someone around here in law enforcement that you can trust.”
“Uh, I have Kevin if I need anything,” I sighed and went back to staring at the numbers in front of me.
“Doesn’t Kevin have other cases? How long do you think he can continue to help you? You’re not in the program anymore, right? Tell me I’m right.” She reached across the table and grabbed my wrist.
“Yes,” I blew out a breath. “I’m not in the program anymore.”
“Ok, then,” she stood. “It’s settled. Tonight after shift, you, me, Chris, and Jase are going to hang out.”
“Tiff,” I started to interrupt her, but she laughed and shook her head.
“Don’t Tiff me. We’re going to hang out. You’re going to have a life outside of work and being a mommy. For once, act like you’re thirty and not fifty,” she giggled as she shuffled over to where Chris was setting up his station. “Right, Chris?”
“Huh?” his head snapped up.
“Tonight… group hangout night,” Tiff called as she disappeared into the kitchen.
“Hell yeah!” Chris pumped his fist the air.
“Great,” I grumbled. Maybe Jase would turn her down. Who was I kidding; no one turned Tiff down.
ooooooooo
That night was the first time I saw Jase smile. Tiff had been right, he felt bad about the way things had happened for me. I guess it’s true what they say about undercover work; it slowly drains your soul until there’s nothing left. Most cops didn’t make it their life’s work. They worked a few years and got out. I found out that night that Dev had been working as an undercover detective for more than three times the average length. He’d been looking for me for years. He’d told their captain that he wasn’t stopping until he found me. The ironic part here is when he finally did find me; he couldn’t get out. He was in the middle of the job, and it wasn’t finished.
Becoming Somebody Page 4