Page 24 of Sacred Vow

He nods, goes back to his phone.

Leaning back, I close my eyes. I replay memories in my mind. My order was the same back then. I think I might even be in the right booth.

I remember Craig’s voice ordering our donuts. He always got one with sprinkles. I recall he would leave me at the booth to talk to the manager in the back for a few minutes. When he came back out, he’d be shoving something into the inside pocket of his jacket, then he’d slide back into the booth with me.

The memories come easily, but when I try to focus on that last day with him, it’s like my brain sputters out. Flashes of images that mean nothing cross my mind, voices I don’t recognize, and then there’s nothing.

Frustrated, I take a bite of my donut.

Damn, it’s good. So much better than anything I’ve eaten at a chain.

“Izzy, right?” the man in the leather jacket says after I pop the last bite of my donut in my mouth. My eyes snap to him.

How does he know my name?

“Yeah.” He snaps his fingers. “You’re older, hell of a lot older, but I remember you. You’re Craig’s little sister.”

My heart picks up speed. Is he one of the bad people that Andrei tried to warn me about?

“I’m sorry, do I know you?” Maybe he can jog a memory. Like, did Craig bring me in here the last day we were together?

“You probably don’t remember me.” He grins. “I used to run this joint.”

“Oh, you worked here?”

“Owned it. Still do, but I don’t do any of the work anymore.” He slides out of his booth, grunting as he gets to his feet. His legs are painfully swollen and bruised. He follows my eyes to his bare legs.

“Looks worse than they are,” he says. “Pain in the ass that I can’t wear pants no more, though. The swelling gets worse as the day goes.” He brings his mug to the counter. The girl behind the counter takes it and fills it with steaming coffee.

“Do they hurt?” I can’t help but ask. It looks like he has chronic venous insufficiency, which can be treated with some lifestyle changes, but it’s been a while since I dropped out of nursing school, and I could be wrong. Besides, he’s a stranger, and it’s none of my business.

“Not really.” He brings his mug over by me but stays at the counter. “I thought it was you, when you walked in, but it’s been a few years.” He shakes his head.

Does he know what happened? Was I here that morning?

The door opens before I can get my question out and when I look over, my entire body goes rigid.

“Isolde.” Andrei’s jaw is pinched together so tight, he might break a tooth this time.

The guy at the counter turns. His demeanor changes immediately.

“Andrei.” He stands straighter, wincing a little at the new posture.

Andrei’s eyes darken.

“Donald.” He gives a curt nod.

“She under your protection?” Donald asks, gesturing toward me with his chin.

“She is.”

“I don’t need protection.” I slide out of the booth and bring my tray to the counter.

“Anyone else know she’s in town?” Donald asks.

“A few.”

“They aren’t going to like it,” Donald adds.

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