Series: Silver Spoon MC Series by Nichole Rose
Total pages in book: 36
Estimated words: 33590 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 168(@200wpm)___ 134(@250wpm)___ 112(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 33590 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 168(@200wpm)___ 134(@250wpm)___ 112(@300wpm)
"Hello, Ms. Crawford," he calls through the glass, smiling at me.
My blood runs cold. I never gave him my last name. It's not on my nametag either. In fact, I don't even think I was even wearing my nametag the day he came in here. I usually throw it in my bag on the way out of the house in the morning, only to find it when I clean out my purse at night. I put it on the table with my keys and promise myself I'll do better tomorrow…and then do the exact same thing again. It's a vicious cycle. Luckily, Maddie is still on her honeymoon. And she doesn't mind anyway. She's a good boss.
"We're closed!" I call, silently cursing myself when my voice shakes.
"My name is Silas Renton. I'd like to speak to you about a private matter."
"Sorry, we're closed!" I yell again.
"It'll only take a minute," he says, trying to turn the knob on the door. When it doesn't open, he rattles it, shaking the whole door.
"Go away!" I shout, and then quickly scurry out of sight. I practically run to the backroom, dodging bookshelves and displays. Anxiety churns through me threatening to close up my throat. I slip into the back of the store and slam the door closed, flipping the lock. My gaze immediately bounces to the back door, relief rushing through me when I confirm that the deadbolt is locked and the alarm on it is set. I take a deep breath and arm the security system for the front of the store with shaking hands, and then call Finn.
"You miss me," he says, a smile in his voice when he answers.
"Finn," I sob as soon as I hear his voice. My knees tremble, relief coursing through me. Just hearing his voice makes me feel safer.
"Scarlett? What's wrong?" He instantly switches from sweet to deadly serious. "What happened?"
"The man from the other day is here," I whisper. "He knows my last name and he kept insisting that he needed to talk to me. He tried to open the door to the store after I locked it and told him we were closed."
"What the fuck?" he roars. "Where are you, pretty baby?"
"In the storeroom."
"Lock the door and set the alarm."
"I did."
"Good girl. Stay right there," he growls. "I'm coming for you, pretty baby."
"Please don't hang up," I sob.
"You have to hang up, sweetheart," he croons. "You have to call the police. They can get to you faster than I can. But I swear to you, I am coming. Me and brothers will be there in seven minutes."
"Finn," I whimper.
I hear a commotion in the background that sounds like a thousand engines roaring to life, and then Finn curses. "I know, pretty baby. I know. Fuck, I never should have left today," he says. "But the doors are locked, and he can't get in. I'll be there before you know it. You have to call the police for me. You can do this, Scarlett. You're a goddess. You can do anything."
I believe it because he believes it. His faith in me gives me courage and steadies me. I take a breath and then another, pulling myself together. I can handle this. For him, I will handle this. "Okay," I whisper. "I'll call the police."
"Good girl," he whispers.
I hesitate for a moment, I love you on the tip of my tongue. But I swallow it back. Now isn't the time to add those three little complicated words to the mix. I don't want to say them because I'm afraid. I don't want him to hear them because I'm scared. When I tell him, I want him to know it's because I mean it.
"I'll see you soon," I say instead.
"As soon as I can get there," he promises.
I disconnect and dial the Sheriff's Department. The dispatcher makes me stay on the phone with her for what feels like an hour. Time passes in agonizingly slow drags. I hold my breath, listening for any hint that Silas has broken in, but the store is dead silent.
"My deputy is on scene," the dispatcher, Greta, says. "Stay where you are for a minute and give him time to check around the building, and then I'll let you know when to go out and meet him, okay?"
"Okay," I whisper.
She asks me a few more questions—mostly to keep me talking, I think. And then she lets me know that the building is clear. Silas is gone. My knees threaten to buckle as relief rushes through me in a flood. I grasp onto the wall to keep myself upright.
"Do you want me to stay on the phone with you while you go out to meet my deputy?"
"No," I whisper. "I'll be okay."
"Okay, then, Scarlett. He'll be waiting at the front door for you. Have a good night."