“Where are you from anyway?” he asks, and my face instantly falls. I want to tell him the truth, but I don’t really know him.
“Florida,” I lie again, and try to change the subject.
“Hey Prez, who’s the chick?” a big guy with muscles upon muscles, tattoos, and a beard comes over and says.
“Her name is Erica and she’s my girl, so fuck off.” he bluntly tells him, and the scary man puts his hands up.
Jared seems to be the head honcho in this bar by the way people act around him.
“I mean no disrespect, just never seen you with a woman here before.”
“Well, get used to it and keep your eyes up here when you speak to her.” The man laughs and slams his hand on the table. I jump in response.
“This is great!” the scary man admits. He’s still looking back and forth between Jared and me.
“Nice catch, man. Damn, if only I was ten years younger.”
“Watch it,” Jared warns.
“Okay, okay. I’m leaving. Nice to meet you, Erica; my name is Grady, by the way. We’re all family here, darlin’, so if you ever need anything you just holler.” I nod, unable to form words for some reason. Grady walks away, still laughing, and Jared shakes his head.
“He’s a harmless pain in my balls, but he’s my boy.” Jared grins.
“Wow, um…he’s nice?” I smile, and that’s when I see Jared’s expression change from fun to downright serious.
“You will come to me if you ever need anything. No one else. Understand?” He brushes his hand across my cheek.
My eyes close at the feel of his hands on me. He gently kisses my forehead, and it’s such a warm gesture coming from him.
We talk for a little while longer.
“What about your family?” he asks, and without really thinking I blurt out the truth.
“My dad is dead and I live with my mother.” I don’t know what’s come over me. I probably shouldn’t have told him that considering there is a possibility people are still after me. In fact I’m 99.9 percent positive Luca is looking for me.
His eyebrow rises and then his expression changes with understanding. Thankfully it’s not pity. I hate when people feelsorry for me. I’m sick of hearing ‘I’m sorry for your loss’. That is one good thing about moving away from California. No one is here to say shit, and I like that.
I’m starting to feel guilty about my lie.
“Please keep this between us. I’m from California, but I’m not supposed to be telling you this and I’m not even sure why I just did.” I put my head in my hands, feeling all sorts of vulnerability right now.
If he says anything to anyone it could ruin all we worked for to get away from those people.
“What exactly are you so afraid of? Is there someone you’re running from?” He pulls my hands away from my face.
“Who do I have to kill?” he growls, and my eyes widen at his statement.
Unshed tears are in my eyes and his face turns more serious.
“Tell me what it is and I’ll make it go away.” My stomach flutters at his admission, because I wish he could. I wish that he could take my pain away and end the people that could be after us, but he can’t. They’re dangerous, and if anything ever happened to him because of me I would never forgive myself.
“No, there’s nothing you can do or help me with. What’s done is done, Jared, and I shouldn’t even be talking to you.” I see his fist tighten.
“Tell me now, Erica. I’m not going to ask you again.”
Just as he says that my phone rings.
“It’s my mom.” I hold up one finger. He nods and sits back in the booth.