Page 3 of Hard Limits

Stepping out the raggedy house, I made my way down the stairs and paused. I went up and down the stairs again and realized they creaked, loudly. I took a moment to assess the surroundings and as I rounded the structure I noticed concrete steps on the side of the house that led to the kitchen entry. I tried the door and sure enough it was open. Making my way down the stairs and to my car I tried to follow her path.

What would she have done? Where could she have gone?

CHAPTER TWO

ARACELY

Staring out the window of the diner in the small town, I deliberated what I was going to do. I could move on or I could stay here. I had enough money to help me pay for maybe a first month’s rent somewhere, but I was afraid I was too close. Afraid he would find me so easily. The consequences of taking his money and running away were present in my decisions. Every step was dangerous, every move was fatal.

I stared at the coffee mug in front of me. I was on cup number three, alone, and with nowhere to go. The chimes on the door rang as a group walked in. The first was a man, tall, good looking. He wore a black suit, his blonde hair slicked back, and he walked in with a confident stride. As if he knew that the whole world was looking at him. He winked at me as he slid into the booth in front of me and propped an arm along the back of the seat. Another man slid in across from him, just as gorgeous. He’d taken his jacket off and the white crisp shirt he wore beneath it outlined his muscles. His sleeves rolled up exposing his strong forearms and he still wore his waistcoat, fitted around his well-built torso. The next man looked dark and domineering as he slid in barely noticing me, his back to me. His dark locks swept across his brow, and from the side his jawline looked edged to perfection. Soft full lips that smirked as he stared at the man across from him.

But it wasn’t the men that captured my attention, although they were handsome enough to be a distraction. It was the woman who came in with them that had my complete attention. She wore black slacks, a white silk shirt, and a bright red overcoat. Soft blue-black waves flowed down below her waistline and as she slid into the booth, her eyes met mine. A penetrating emerald glance that made me look away. She was stunningly beautiful, I might even say, statuesque. She wore bright red lipstick and had a sharp domineering tone, that was also oddly soothing, as she spoke to the men.

I lowered my head, taking a sip of my hot coffee while I focused trying to figure out what to do. The woman laughed and then her words caught my attention once again. Overhearing their conversation, my ears perked up.

“We need to find another bartender and quickly. I can’t have Trey by himself anymore. My poor pet is going to tire himself out.”

The man beside her nodded as he took a sip of his coffee mug. “I’ve been looking, but you know how this town is. I have to be careful who I talk to.”

“Then we need to find someone from outside. Someone willing to come out and work for us.”

The words slipped from my lips before I could stop myself. And as I said them, all eyes turned on me. “I’m willing to work.”

The woman looked over at me, a glint in her eyes. The man beside her smirked. “Sorry baby girl, you look like you have never even seen the inside of a bar.”

“I haven’t.” They all looked at me then, but the woman just continued to stare at me as I spoke. “I’ve never even worked a day in my life. But if you teach me I’m willing to try. I’m sure I can learn.”

“We need someone who is already seasoned…” The woman placed a hand on his arm and finally addressed me.

“Why are you here?”

“I…” My words escaped me as tears threatened to fall. I was glad for the dark sunglasses that hid the bruises on my face. Hid the fear I had inside. “I’m willing to work hard. You don’t even have to pay me as long as I can get room and board somewhere.”

The man beside her stared back at me in wonder. “What’s your name, baby girl?”

“Aracely,” I whispered.

“You haven’t answered my Mistress’ question.”

I stared from him to her and she suddenly slid out of the booth. “Out,” she stated, and all the men stared back at her. She waved her hand, shooing them and they all obeyed, reluctantly, but they slid out.

The man who had spoken to me leaned in and whispered something in her ear. She smiled up at him and stroked his cheek. “Trust me. Leave us a moment.”

Without another word they all wandered off, the man who was with her looked back at me, curiosity in his eyes. She slid into the seat across from me and smiled.

“Who are you running away from, Aracely?”

I looked down at my hands and then focused on the trucks that seemed to filter into the gas station across the way. She placed a hand over my own and sighed.

“Are you in danger?”

A nod was all I could manage, and she leaned back in her chair. “Husband? Boyfriend? Father?”

I knew that what she seeked for was my trust, which was hard for me to give to anyone. But I needed help desperately, and she was the only kind soul I’d met in years, who had taken the time to sit down and talk with me. Removing my sunglasses, I looked up at her, my eyes trying to read her, but she remained calm, unjudging.

“Husband,” I whispered.

She didn’t speak a word about my bruises, she simply nodded. “Okay then. You start tomorrow night. Micah!”

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