“No thanks. I really should be going.”
“Early start? Business going well?”
The words are friendly, but her tone is on edge. It’s clear that the confrontation affected her more than she’d like to admit, so I smile and nod. She doesn’t really need me with so many other people around, but I’ll stay and talk for a minute until she’s calmed down and Pete is a distant memory.
“Business is booming,” I tell her. “People have really been supportive.”
“Good to hear,” she says, turning to acknowledge a woman sitting on her own at the other end of the bar.
Truth is, I’m terrible at undercover work. I have no talent for it at all. The one time I’ve previously worked undercover I sucked so hard I was pulled out in less than a day. Risking the mission and your own safety. But it’s not difficult to maintain this cover ID, since I designed it myself.
Rose Aiken, thirty-five years old, unmarried, no kids, two weeks ago moved into town and opened up a little florist around the corner from Mitch’s, with an apartment above where I sleep.
And I love it.
If I’d had my choice, Rose Aiken’s life would probably be mine. It will be a shame to close down when the job is over and I have to go back to my real life.
“You know, my dad thinks you’re cute. If you’re looking for someone with a better grasp of what a woman is than that dickhead Pete, or just want dinner and some good company, I know he’d love to take you out sometime.”
I stare at Callie as she wanders off to see to her customer. In my head, I’m closer to her age than her dad’s, but she sees me as the next generation above and the truth is I guess I am. Age is just a number, I know that, but it still takes me by surprise to find I’m not in my twenties anymore.
Her dad isn’t my type though. Actually, I’m not really sure what my type is. My career has always been my first love. But I know Mitch isn’t for me. His easy-going, pillar of the community vibe, coupled with his surprisingly boyish six pack and baby-blues surfer look, really doesn’t appeal to me on any level. I know most people would think differently, but I’m just not wired that way.
And besides, I have to keep my dance card clear, as my Nanna Divine would say. It wouldn’t do for Apollo Volos to finally show up and I’m flirting with the bar owner.
“Thanks, but no. I’m not really looking for anything right now,” I tell her, and see her shrug a shoulder.
“Let me know if you change your mind. He’ll never ask you out himself. He hasn’t really got back on the horse since Mom passed five years ago.”
It’s kind of flattering that she sees me as a potential mother figure. I’ve always wanted kids, just never got around to it. But still, the answer would always be no.
“OK, I’ll keep it in mind,” I tell her, but have absolutely no intention of ever taking up that offer. Still, it’s clear that she’s feeling herself again, so since Apollo obviously isn’t coming, and Pete must have given up and gone home, I need to get back and write my notes for the day. “Right, gotta go. See ya tomorrow night?”
“Sure. Thanks, Rose.”
I grab my jacket off the stool as I stand, nod to one of the other patrons I’ve spoken to a couple of times, and head outside. The street lighting is casting everything into a kind of yellow glow, and there’s a chill in the summer wind that makes me shiver as I shrug on my jacket. The scent of fast food makes my stomach growl, reminding me that I haven’t eaten since lunch, but I’m not a fast food kind of girl. There’s a salad waiting in the fridge back home.
As the door closes behind me, and the noise of the bar is muffled to a low chatter, I make my way around the corner of the building, crossing the parking lot as I head home.
“All alone now, sweetheart.”
I hear the laugh as I turn, and tense up, instinctively grasping for my service weapon.
Which of course, isn’t there.
Fuck.
There’s nothing more than a flash of teeth behind cracked lips before I feel a hand clasped over my mouth. My scream comes out as a mumble and I taste his disgusting fingers slipping between my lips. Dragged out of the light, into the shadow behind the pub, pushed against the wall.
“I gave you your chance, you stuck-up little bitch.” His voice is a low mumble, desperate and breathy. “Now I’m going to show you what happens to—fuck!”
“Help!” I scream as he pulls his hand away from my gnashing teeth. I’m immediately shoved hard into the wall, knocking my head, but I don’t let up. “Get away from me! I’m an F—”
“Nobody’s coming for you. Nobody cares.”
“Help me!”
“Just another little cunt who gets what she deserves…” I feel his hand groping down my back, and close my eyes, knowing what he’s about to do, that he’s about to violate me in the worst possible way, then—