Page 29 of A Monster Is Coming

I stopped and ran a hand down my face.

“Niamh doesn’t deserve this.”

“Three bounty hunters have been killed in the past twenty-four hours,” Ivan said, making me tense up. “They’re closing in and your opportunity to make this work is closing. I don’t give a fuck what it takes, make her pregnant, and speed this shit up.”

With that, Ivan didn’t say another word. He climbed behind the wheel of the car, and took off, leaving me in our secret meeting spot. Running fingers through my hair, I blew out a breath. That didn’t end how I wanted it to.

I’d never been with a virgin. Niamh deserved better than this.

Climbing behind my own wheel, I turned over the ignition and headed back into town. I’d already cancelled the day’s appointments, even Niamh’s. I didn’t go home, instead, I parked my car in the only available parking space outside the diner, climbed out, and headed inside.

It was busy, close to lunchtime, and I made my way into the small booth at the back. This allowed me to check out the locals, as well as any potential bounty hunters making their way into Pickle Quest.

I didn’t realize they were so close, but now that I was aware, I was more prepared. I’d already gotten used to the locals. There were one or two tourists that were part of a group. They had arrived yesterday and were exploring the town. They had a map, and I watched them talk and mingle together. No one had infiltrated their group.

There was no bounty hunter in the diner.

Niamh was also serving, dashing around like a madwoman, taking orders, speeding across to the kitchen, leaving tickets, picking up food. Keeping a smile on her face as she served.

The locals were kind but not too trusting. They were happy for her to serve them, but they were not willing to open their hearts to her. I couldn’t help but wonder what it would take for them to accept her. There would be trouble wherever she went.

Finally, after what felt like an hour, Niamh was able to come to my table. “I’m so sorry. I’ve been trying to come and take your order. What can I get you?” she asked.

“How about you get me the same thing you’re having when this rush is over?” I asked.

“Uh … are you sure?”

“Yeah, I’m sure. I can wait.” I needed to turn on the charm.

“Okay, I’ve just got to, you know, finish serving people, and then when it slows down, I can take my lunch break.”

“Until then, I’ll have a coffee.”

She nodded and left. I watched her ass as she walked away. I loved the curve. The uniform wasn’t flattering, but the way she moved, there was no hiding the body beneath. She was all temptation, and I was more than ready to take a bite.

Niamh was going to be mine, and it was time for me to start acting like it.

I was not going to act like a spoiled brat. I was going to do exactly what Ivan had told me to do, and that was to knock Niamh up, and then I’d deal with the fallout. There was no doubt in my mind Niamh was going to hate me. One day, she’d forgive me, because she’d know I did it for her.

No, I was doing this for Ivan, and his messed-up reasons. I was annoyed.

The time ticked by, and finally after an additional thirty minutes, Niamh came back to my table, carrying two plates, which looked to be overloaded burgers and fries. Not that I was complaining. They looked good.

The food at the diner wasn’t bad. I had no complaints. Niamh sat down opposite me. Her hair was falling out of her ponytail, and she looked so incredibly tired. I picked up my burger, took a bite, and watched as she ate some fries. It suddenly occurred to me that I’d never cared for a woman’s company. I’d taken women out on dates plenty of times, but that had been for one purpose—sex.

Glancing over at Niamh, I watched as she grabbed a napkin to dab away some mayonnaise she’d gotten on the corner of her mouth. Niamh wasn’t trying to impress me. There were no fake giggles. She wasn’t hanging off my every word. She was just being herself, which was a shocking reality to what I was used to. I found it refreshing that she wasn’t faking anything with me.

Ivan’s plan was pissing me off. I wasn’t interested in the subterfuge, but at the same time, this was in fact a chance, one I didn’t think was possible.

“How has your morning been?” Even though I suddenly saw this as a new opportunity, considering I was going to be married to this woman and having kids with her, small talk wasn’t exactly my strong suit. It was very, very, very, very (possibly a few extra verys) bad, probably more awful. I didn’t do small talk.

When your father at a young age trained you how to survive, small talk wasn’t on the menu. Fighting your way out of every situation, doing what you could to survive—hunting, killing, maiming—anything to keep your heart beating. Not realizing you’d become entertainment for a group of spoiled men. It certainly didn’t change a man’s perspective.

Niamh smiled. “It’s been pretty busy. I came in early and helped set up seeing as you cancelled our morning session.”

“Yeah, about that, how do you feel about doing an evening one?”

“At the gym?” she asked.

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