Commanding Casey by Nicolina Martin

Author:Nicolina Martin [Martin, Nicolina]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Stormy Night Publications
Published: 2020-05-17T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter Fourteen

Casey

He follows me to the cantina. We walk in silence. Everything that has passed hangs heavily between us. Disappearing behind the counter, into the kitchen, he then comes back with a cup of coffee and a cinnamon roll.

“Jack’s back there. He’s a good guy.”

“I don’t need—”

“Shh. Sit. Eat. I’ll be back. Don’t let me catch you with that roll uneaten.”

He holds my gaze and something flickers through it, something that churns my stomach. In a good way.

I inhale, then sigh. Deeply. Exaggerating my annoyance. “Yes, sir.” I say it to test the waters, so to speak. See if it’s still cold.

It’s not. It’s steaming hot.

“Good girl,” he growls, his voice deepening several octaves, it seems. “Don’t move from here.”

“You’ll miss your ride out, Cole,” I shout to his retreating back.

He turns and throws out his arms, shrugging. “That boat sailed a while ago.” Then he disappears out the door, leaving me with the aftermath of the assault. I’m still shaking and my stomach hurts like a bitch. I have no appetite whatsoever and all I can do is nibble at the roll.

“You okay, kid?”

I look up. Jack is a man in his early sixties, his face weathered, his hair a constant mess of gray tresses. He’s one of a couple of guys who aren’t fit for the hard work out there anymore, but who have other uses. Kitchen, supplies, janitor duties.

“How long’ve you been out here, Jack?”

He sits after gesturing to a chair, waiting until I nod. “This is my third stint since the project started.”

“What’s the appeal?”

“Keeps me off the streets.”

I frown. He shrugs. “Wife left me. I got fired. Couldn’t keep the house. No one rents out to an unemployed. I may have had a stint in jail too...”

“Oh. I’m sorry.”

“No worries. What’s your deal? What brings a girl all the way up here? This is a rough climate. And I’m not talking weather.”

I wince. “It’s... a long story. I got my reasons.” Suddenly I think I know how Cole felt that first day, during the ride, when I got too curious. I won’t explain that I got assaulted and nearly raped. That’s just not going to happen.

Jack stands. Pats my shoulder. “I’ll leave you to it. You look pretty shook up. Let me know if there’s anything I can do.”

I smile, stunned. We’ve never talked before. Is this Cole’s doing?

By the time Cole returns, I’ve managed to finish the cinnamon roll and drink my coffee. He gives me an approving gaze, meant only for me. Next to him stands a flustered Max.

“Keagan.” He clears his throat, rubs his hands, shifting his weight from foot to foot. “You wanna file an official complaint?” He winces. It’s obvious he hopes I won’t, and me, I just don’t want to go through that shit again.

“Are they off the site?”

“As we speak.”

“Then I’m good.”

Cole flinches, his eyes darkening. I shake my head, a barely there movement, holding his gaze. He wants me to file a police report? I so don’t want to make an issue out of it.

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