Page 60 of Saving Chains

Thankfully, the time passes quickly as I set up for opening and place bowls of nuts and chips out on the bar. Pulling my cell from my pocket, I power it back on. I won’t tell Levi this, but I feel better knowing I can make that call if I need to. I can’t be angry forever and I’m feeling much calmer now, too. It must be this place; I think to myself with a small smile tugging at my lips. I skip through the tables and pull open the door.

As I’m searching for the doorstop to wedge open the door, I can feel eyes on me. With butterflies swimming around my tummy, I anxiously lift my head. A shaky breath gently leaves my lips but as I lock eyes with Liam, relief leaves my body in a long-drawn-out huff.

“Jesus Christ, Liam.” I huff loudly, “Give a girl a heart attack, why don’t you?” As I cover my chest with my hand, my heart pounds against my palm.

I shove his shoulder as he smirks. “Hey beautiful,” adding a wink to his charming smirk.

“Don’t sweet talk me, asshole.” And as his smirk turns into a full-on smile, I can’t help but smile with him. I shake my head at him and turn away. “What you drinking?”

“Just a Budweiser,” he replies and leans on the bar. I grab him one from the cooler and take off the cap for him, pass it over and throw the cap into the trash.

“I’m surprised you opened back up,” Liam says.

“Are you on the same quest as Levi to keep me prisoner?”I ask with a snark in my tone.

“Not at all,” he sighs. “But you should’ve told me.” The smile falls from my face when I realize he’s talking about the attack.

“I didn’t want everyone knowing my business. I didn’t want the finger pointing, and then have to listen to people gossiping; saying that I led him on or something.”

“That’s bullshit. You know that.”

“How do you know?” I blow out a huff, crossing my arms over my chest. I suppose after the drive here today, I can see why Levi is so protective.

“I’ve never known you to listen to people chat shit about you. You never did when we were at school…” he eyes me with a raised brow.

“Well, a lot of shit happened. Well, Levi happened. But you only knew me as a teenager. You don’t know me as an adult.”

He pushes up from the stool he’s dropped himself down on and pushes himself up with his hands on the bar. “Yeah? I think the teenager and the adult aren’t very far between, am I right?” He sits back down. “I mean you’re still feisty, you still tell people what you think, truthfully, and I know you still have the biggest heart.” As I let my defenses down, I bury my hands in my face. “Am I wrong?”

I shake my head in answer, with my hands still over my face.

“And from what I’ve seen since I got back here, you put Chains in his place, too.” Parting my fingers, I let him see my cocky grin. “But I tell ya right now, he’s pissed, girl. You should have heard him in Church.”

Of course, he won’t tell me what was said because of the oath they make to each other; what happens in Church, stays in Church. That’s just how it is. I ponder on my own thoughts for a moment, I wonder to myself whether it’s worth mentioning the Chevy to him. As he takes a long pull from his beer, I focus on the relaxed expression on his face.

“Erm, you didn’t see a red Chevy hanging around by any chance when you got here, did you?”

“No, I don’t remember seeing one.” His brows pull together. “Why?”

“Oh, it’s nothing. I’m probably just making things up in my head.”

“Luna. After everything that has happened, don’t ignore anything. Even the slightest detail.”

He slips off his stool and heads for the door. “Where are you going?”

“I’m taking a look outside.”

“Liam, it’s okay, it was probably just a coincidence.”

He yanks the door open and turns his head, his eyes finding mine again. “Coincidences are a myth. You can never be too sure.” He storms out and lets the door slam behind him.

Shit. I take my cell back out of my pocket and check it for any messages, but I have none. I’m torn as to whether I should let Levi know about the guy, but if it turns out to be nothing, then I’ve worried him for nothing. He has enough on his plate right now.

My head snaps up at the sound of the door opening again. The pulse in my neck quickening, then Liam appears, instantly calming my disposition.

“I can’t see anyone hanging around, or the car. But I’ll get some of the guys here.”

“Please don’t.” I beg. “If you do that Levi will be here, and right now, we’re not exactly talking.”

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